Would The Life of Brian be banned today?
Discussion
When it was released many councils stopped it being shown because it was “blasphemous”.
Could it be released today? I’m not sure. Ironically I don’t think it would be blasphemy that would see it banned or cancelled rather it’s “non PC” elements.
Although it is my favourite film it has been a few years since I’ve seen so I’m probably forgetting all the transgressions but just from memory:
The “ call me Loretta/I want to have a baby” scene would likely be seen as transphobic.
Disability campaigners would likely complain about making fun of lisps, the ex-leper and the “I’m blind but now I can see” scenes.
Diversity campaigners would complain about lack of women (only woman with more than a few lines is Judith) and probably complain that the men dressed up as women is inappropriate (although that would spoil the stoning scene as part of the absurdity is men pretending to be women pretending to be men).
From memory isn’t there some black face in the three kings scene? No BAME actors either.
Unlike the vocal minority on NP&E I do support equality of women, LGBTQ+ and BLM (as in anti discrimination) and don’t think it is right to mock people because of physical disabilities. Maybe I should reevaluate the film.
Could it be released today? I’m not sure. Ironically I don’t think it would be blasphemy that would see it banned or cancelled rather it’s “non PC” elements.
Although it is my favourite film it has been a few years since I’ve seen so I’m probably forgetting all the transgressions but just from memory:
The “ call me Loretta/I want to have a baby” scene would likely be seen as transphobic.
Disability campaigners would likely complain about making fun of lisps, the ex-leper and the “I’m blind but now I can see” scenes.
Diversity campaigners would complain about lack of women (only woman with more than a few lines is Judith) and probably complain that the men dressed up as women is inappropriate (although that would spoil the stoning scene as part of the absurdity is men pretending to be women pretending to be men).
From memory isn’t there some black face in the three kings scene? No BAME actors either.
Unlike the vocal minority on NP&E I do support equality of women, LGBTQ+ and BLM (as in anti discrimination) and don’t think it is right to mock people because of physical disabilities. Maybe I should reevaluate the film.
Making fun of the roman with the speech impediment would be frowned upon quite rightly,
at the time I thought it was the least funny part of the movie.
Terry Jones dragging it up as Brian's mother when a female actor would have been better.
Presumably the ratio of the cast and crew who were from ethnic ancestry did NOT reach the required 33%.
This film is surely going to hell.
at the time I thought it was the least funny part of the movie.
Terry Jones dragging it up as Brian's mother when a female actor would have been better.
Presumably the ratio of the cast and crew who were from ethnic ancestry did NOT reach the required 33%.
This film is surely going to hell.
It deriding Christianity would make it delicious for "progressive" movie viewers of today but there'd be an avalanche of furore after the first thirty seconds and the people who made it would have been socially hung, drawn and quartered before the first interval. I think that why it hasn't been targeted so far is because young people don't know it exists and the progressive older set who have seen it, aren't going to say anything as they'll also get targeted in the furore for not condemning it when it came out.....
t" thread from the usual crowd.
I don't think it would be banned.
But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
Randy Winkman said:
I don't think it would be banned.
But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
John Cleese might disagree:But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/aug/24/ca...
Drezza said:
Randy Winkman said:
I don't think it would be banned.
But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
John Cleese might disagree:But I also don't think that the same people would make the film in exactly the same way. Not just because of the reaction but because they themselves have changed. There must be loads of people in entertainment who wouldn't do the same things they did years ago.
With regards LOB though, I'm only talking about detail, not the main theme of the film.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/aug/24/ca...
Anyway, if John Cleese thinks that what is funny today is the same as what was funny 40 years ago, I think he needs to reconsider. When he made comedy in the 60s/70s/80s it was about being current and in-touch with the world at that point. Reminds me of Roger Daltrey moaning about woke stuff when his whole career was based on being modern and in-touch.
One of the all time great films, but sadly would not even me made today let alone banned. It is one of those rare films where pretty much every scene has at least one great moment, but unfortunately too many of them would have modern day bed wetters getting offended on others’ behalf.
Glad I’ve got it on dvd where it can’t be touched by editors and censors, and I can watch it in all its glory!
Glad I’ve got it on dvd where it can’t be touched by editors and censors, and I can watch it in all its glory!
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