Life of Brian is my favorite Monty Python. Even before I knew religion, I could appreciate the joke of Biblical era absurdity. Now, the whole “We’re all individuals… I’m not” is literally playing out in modern day with people insisting they’re nonconformists as they do exactly what the people in power want them to.
It has been in the Criterion Collection before, as some of the 1997 and 2007 extras attest. But, this 4K UHD is worth the upgrade. Wow, the animated credits in 4K and on the menu. I also just saw the ‘50s biblical epic Ben-Hur in 4K. By 1979, the Python biblical era was grimier and grainier. There are some 4K shadows in dark sewers and interior dwellings.
They even added surround sound to the alien spaceship scene.
The multiple eras of bonus features are interesting because in 2007, they reflect on the controversy and include excerpts of the Pythons defending the film on talk shows. In 1979 they are on the set filming and spend more time reflecting on their Flying Circus sketches.
Deleted scenes include the biblical Nazi Otto which the 2007 piece acknowledged would’ve been even more controversial. Others are fun bits too like a long tangent on sheep from the wise men and more slapstick pratfalls.