Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy

PG

2010

1h 32m

Musical

Comedy

List

Reviews

77%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

"Monty Python's The Life of Brian" prompts a comic oratorio.

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Sean Axmaker

Seanax.com

It's a better as a concept than a show, but Python fans will enjoy anyway.

Jun 11, 2010

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Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

The very concept of turning Life of Brian, itself a filmic spoof of Biblical epics, into a spoof of Handel's Messiah is funny, and the name--riffing on one of Life of Brian's most famous lines--is genius. [Blu-ray]

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 8, 2010

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Audience Member

It's a strange concept that mostly plays out strangely, but it's a good chance to see some well-loved material performed in a unique fashion. Full review later.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

very cute. nostalgic! I loved that it's like Handel's Messiah, only, erm, not.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

My first oratorio, but a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Of course we love the songs and it is great to see the Pythons in action but compared to the film LIfe of Brian, this ends up being a bit of a bore.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

More operatic than comedic, "Not the Messiah" is a fun filled poke at the stiffer realm of music with several Monty cameos that will put a smile on any super-fan's face.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

Eric Idle has never really figured out what to do without Python. It is sort of sad, because he is really talented on his own...but despite a few solid solo efforts, he sort of fell into playing bit roles in movies that were well below his own talent...before finally settling on the fact that he really just wants to rehash Python until he dies. Gilliam went on to become quite the director; Jones has directed, written some things, and hosted some history programs; Cleese has written and directed some, and created one of the most praised sitcoms in British history; Palin has traveled the world and documented it for TV; Chapman unfortunately died too early...but Idle has returned to Python time and time again for a little extra cash from the name power Python carries. He has toured singing their hits, even after all the other Python's declined to join him. Then he created "Spamalot", which proved successful on Broadway. Here is his latest Python rip-off. A big oratorio retelling the tale of "Life of Brian" through operatic tunes. Luckily this show was made for the Monty Python 40th Anniversary...and as a result all the surviving Pythons (except Cleese), as well as Neil Innes, Carol Cleveland, and John Du Prez...that helps, even if the music isn't nearly as entertaining as it should be. So for Python fans, it is worth a look, but it might be more entertaining to just pop in "Life of Brian" again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Aubrey Powell

Director

Michael Palin

Mrs. Betty Palin

Terry Jones

Workingman

Terry Gilliam

Not an Individual

Carol Cleveland

Sheep Lady

Neil Innes

Mexican

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Synopsis

"Monty Python's The Life of Brian" prompts a comic oratorio.

Director: Aubrey Powell
Screenwriter: Eric Idle, John Du Prez
Production Co: Python (Monty) Pictures Limited, Stage 6 Films
Rating: PG (Language|Suggestive Material)
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 32m

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