Parodying Biblical Motifs in Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979) — Parody or Blasphemy?

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between sacred and profane art, film included, and the conflict arising therefrom. Certain scenes from the film Life of Brian are used to explain its parodic and satirical nature, but also its blasphemic and heretical content. In the opening section of the paper the author explains the dichotomy between religion and culture, this being the source of possible dilemmas concerning genre determination and categorization of the film as heretical or blasphemic. He discusses their interrelationship, interaction and the production thereof. In the second section, the author comments religious films and their production. The third section ascertains the genre of the film and presents the elements which cause it to fall into a particular category. The concepts of parody and satire are also clarified, while in the fourth section, heresy and blasphemy are explained. Finally, the author presents a synthesis of all facts previously analysed which define Life of Brian as a satirical parody containing historical and biblical elements.