'The Life of Brian' Case or How to Deconstruct Biblical Epic Films

• Authors: Nadgrodkiewicz G
• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

Author draws on the meta-critical function of film parody in Dan Harries' 'Film Parody' to try to identify ways in which 'The Life of Brian' relates to the tradition of Biblical movies, especially Hollywood productions on the life of Jesus Christ. Author claims that Monty Python's film is characterized by subversive and deconstructive potential in relation to the Biblical epic films, and that the filmmakers used elements of parody to mock the way in which the Gospels had been depicted. He points out that 'The Life of Brian' is by no means a parody of the life and Passion of Christ, as suggested in film reviews. In his concluding remarks, the author of the essay says that from the historical point of view 'The Life of Brian' signalled an extreme exploitation of the formula of the Biblical epic film but it did not mark the end of the tradition of films based on Biblical themes. However, through a play with genre conventions 'The Life of Brian' indicated that the themes had gone out of fashion and at the same time - becoming the sign of transgression - had paved the way for a fresher look at Biblical themes.

Keywords

EN

'LIFE OF BRIAN'; MONTY PYTHON

Discipline

• ARTS_&_ARCHITECTURE: ARTS & ARCHITECTURE

• Publisher: Polska Akademia Nauk. Instytut Sztuki PAN
• Journal: Kwartalnik Filmowy
• Year: 2006
• Issue: 56
• Pages: 37-46
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Nadgrodkiewicz G

• G. Nadgrodkiewicz, postal address not given, contact the journal editor

Identifiers

CEJSH db identifier

07PLAAAA02344885