Monty Python: Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)

This is a very nostalgic performance with all manner of subtle references to Monty Python sketches and the movie Life Of Brian.

The music is extremely varied all over the map from Handel to Mexican Mariachi band to doo wap. It is very tuneful. So often musical jokes hurt you ears. I burst out laughing over and over. They use real talented opera singers, and a large formal chorus, which made it all the funnier when they had to sing silly lines. They had the entire BBC orchestra as "the band". A lot of work went into the orchestration and the filming. The big surprise what how well Eric Idle could sing the operatic parts.

I actually cried when it was over. It was the nostalgia of Monty Python over my life, and seeing the performers now in old age, and realising this would be the big finale. Unfortunately, John Cleese did not make an appearance. That created a big emotional hole.

For real Python fans seeing Hazel Pethig in the credits is validation enough.

I'm a big fan of Monty Phyton. In the series as well as in the movies. Also the life of Brian was funny and innovative. But not not the messiah. So I would like to add to Vincent's comment the following. If you are a big python fan, don't watch it! It might influence your perception of the earlier works. There was one thing that could have been good in the movie. The location of the sublime Albert Hall. Unfortunately it was completely wasted by the poor, uninspired performances! I can understand why Cleese didn't want to take part. They should have hired Neil Innes to create a more of everything show. Maybe the 50th anniversary?

While many people continue to directly compare it to Life of Brian, they do not notice that it is done in the oratorio style, which they nail.

While I did not find a lot of it completely hilarious, there were plenty of great toe-tapping numbers that uplift the spirit and still gives you a huge smile. The soloists all seemed to have a great connection with each other and even managed to joke with the director from time to time. The BBC symphonic orchestra managed to nail everything, although with such a well-known orchestra, I'd expect nothing less.

Just to help jog everyone's memory, an oratorio is an extended musical composition that lacks action, scenery, costumes. So while yes, this is Life of Brian, they go at it in a completely different approach.

If you can only think of Monty Python in the terms they drew up when they first came out, you will find this thing a huge waste of time. However, if you can accept that they like to do different things and you enjoy some mighty fine musical numbers, than this is definitely going to be a show you love.

I just wish they didn't choose to do it just once. I'd love to get to see this show live.

This 'film' is an absolutely amazing treat for any Monty Python fan! Being a big Python fan myself, this came a treat on my first watch and gets better the more I watch and listen to the show.

This concert film should NOT be compared to Life of Brian, it is a retelling of the story in a completely different way, it is more of an enhancement of Life of Brian than anything else.

The film is very, very funny by referencing the jokes everyone loves in Life of Brian as well as adding new ones, which makes it feel completely new and fresh, whilst still keeping within Python guidelines.

All the surviving Python's return (apart from John Cleese) which is a bonus for any Python fan.

If you are a fan of Python, you will LOVE this... if you ain't a Python fan, chances are you won't be converted to the Python way. But personally - I LOVED IT!