Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Seen it?1983 | 107 min | Comedy
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 5 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved In the Loop or A Simple Favor, start here.
- The mood
- Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 47 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor. The world's most voracious glutton brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$43 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 152K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
In the Loop Saturday SpecialAnother satirical comedy.
The Onion Movie
Weeknight WatchAnother satirical comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Scary Movie Weeknight WatchAnother satirical comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
A Simple Favor Saturday SpecialAnother satirical comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Bo Burnham: Inside
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Terry Jones
- Terry GilliamVarious Roles
- Graham ChapmanVarious Roles
- John CleeseVarious Roles
- Eric IdleVarious Roles
- Terry JonesVarious Roles
- Michael PalinVarious Roles
- Carol ClevelandVarious Roles
- Simon JonesCedric
- Patricia QuinnMrs. Williams
- Judy LoeNurse #1