Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy [Blu-ray]

Description

Something completely different is all well and good, but for Monty
Python fans, there are few greater joys than hearing even for the umpteenth
time a rousing live rendition of the troupe’s adopted theme, “The Liberty
Bell” march, or singing along to a bagpipes-enhanced “Always Look on the
Bright Side of Life” and “The Lumberjack Song.” These pleasures frame Eric
Idle and John Du Prez’s 2007 comic “baroque and roll” oratorio inspired by
Monty Python’s Life of Brian. “Chaos and Confusion” (from the opening movement
of the same name) reign in the first quarter hour, but things pick up once the
hapless Brian Cohen (William Ferguson) enters the picture. For the
uninitiated: “He’s not the chosen one / Not the hero of his race / He’s just a
wrong man at the wrong time in the wrong place.” The oratorio’s best bits are
lifted from the film, particularly “What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us,”
“The People’s Front of Judea,” and “Individuals,” in which Brian tries to
persuade his eager would-be followers that he is not the Messiah. Some of the
jokes are inspired (“Is it A.D. yet?” “About a quarter to”). Others are nudge-
nudge, say-no-more groan-worthy (“She was great with child / And not too bad
without”). Not the Messiah is an easy-to-Handel mad mash-up of musical styles,
including gospel, Gilbert & Sullivan, doo-wop, and Bob Dylan. In their
fleeting bits, fellow Pythons Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam
(as well as the ever-ravishing Carol Cleveland) are given rock star welcomes.
This lavish 2009 live performance at London’s venerable Royal Albert Hall
commemorating Python’s 40th anniversary, and featuring the not-at-all-shabby
BBC Symphony and Chorus, may not have the kick or star power of Spamalot, but
it is funny enough, at times lovely enough, and above all, silly enough to
take its rightful place at the Python Round Table. –Donald Liebenson

Features:

Product Details:

• Genre: Comedy
• Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen, Subtitled
• Contributor: Eric Idle
• Language: English
• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 4.8 Ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ AC-3, Blu-ray, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen, Subtitled
• Release date ‏ : ‎ June 8, 2010
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Spanish, English, Portuguese, French
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Sony Pictures Home Entertainment