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Trailer

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

1983Movie1 h 47 minR

Comedy
77
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Letterboxd3.8/5Metacritic727.7Rotten Tomatoes86%83%

An eccentric, dreamlike comedy movie about society and politics, with standout direction and visual style.

Good for friends night · drop-in friendly · pure escapism

Skip it if you want to half-watch while scrolling · graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or romance.

Movies with

Story

It took God six days to create the heavens and the earth...and Monty Python ninety minutes to screw it up.

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.

Feels like

  • Absurdist Sketch Comedy
  • Philosophical Satire
  • Dark British Humor
  • Surreal & Grotesque
  • Episodic Narrative
  • Irreverent & Provocative
  • Cult Classic
  • Existential Comedy
  • Visual Spectacle

Cast

16 of 16

Crew

Directed by
Terry Jones
Written by
John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin
Produced by
John Goldstone
Music by
John Du Prez

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 31, 1983 · 1 h 47 min · R

Released
March 31, 1983
Runtime
1 h 47 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Comedy
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom
Budget
$9 million
Box office
$43 million
Available in
84 countries

Tropes

Meatgrinder Surgery, Armour-Piercing Question, Prone to Vomiting +9

  • Meatgrinder Surgery
  • Armour-Piercing Question
  • Prone to Vomiting
  • Bookends
  • Unusually Uninteresting Sight
  • Excuse Me While I Multitask
  • Misplaced Wildlife
  • Massive Numbered Siblings
  • Maurice Chevalier Accent
  • Anti-Christmas Song
  • "No. Just… No" Reaction
  • The Last Straw

12 of 117 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?"

Questions about Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Monty Python's The Meaning of Life from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It streams in 27 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Monty Python's The Meaning of Life worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77 (IMDb 7.5, Letterboxd 3.8 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 72).

Will Monty Python's The Meaning of Life make me laugh?

Very funny

Yes, a lot: the humor is mostly absurd humor (10 of 10) and sharp wit (9 of 10).

Can I half-watch Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 9 for non-linear narrative.

Was Monty Python's The Meaning of Life a box office hit?

Budget$9 million
Box office$43 million

Yes: it cost about $9 million to make and earned $43 million worldwide, 4.7 times its budget.

What tropes does Monty Python's The Meaning of Life use?

Meatgrinder SurgeryArmour-Piercing QuestionProne to VomitingBookendsUnusually Uninteresting SightExcuse Me While I MultitaskMisplaced WildlifeMassive Numbered SiblingsMaurice Chevalier AccentAnti-Christmas Song"No. Just… No" ReactionThe Last Strawand 105 more

TV Tropes lists 117 tropes for it, including Meatgrinder Surgery, Armour-Piercing Question, and Prone to Vomiting.