Thursday, 23 June 2011

Holy Flying Circus


Ask most Monty Python fans what is their favourite film from the anarchic team and most will probably say The Holy Grail but there is no doubting which of Monty Python's films casued the most controversy, and that was The Life Of Brian.

The film tells the story of Brian Cohen who is born the same day as Jesus and spends his life being mistaken for him. It's brilliant, hilarious and worthy of repeat viewings but at the time of it's release many were not so keen.

Shortly after it's release in 1979, Michael Palin and John Cleese engaged in a very well known debate programme called Friday Night, Saturday Morning with Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark, Mervyn Stockwood.



The BBC have now commissioned a drama that examines the events surrounding the controversy this film caused and I have to say what an excellent choice the casting directors have made with this film.

Michael Palin is being played by Charles Edwards

John Cleese is being played by Darren Boyd

Eric Idle is being played by Steve Punt

Terry Jones is being played by Rufus Jones

Terry Gilliam is being played by Phil Nichol

and the late Graham Chapman is being played by Tom Fisher

The one-off drama is being written by Tony Roche whose credits include "In The Loop", "The Thick Of It" and "Miranda" and will be shown on BBC4 in the autumn so this is one to very much look forward to.

As a little bonus, take a look at the spoof sketch "Not The Nine O'Clock News" made of the debate.


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