It took God six days to create the earth, and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up.|Mar. 31, 1983|United Kingdom|107 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy
Description: The Meaning of Life (1983) explores various satirical scenarios that delve into existential questions. The film begins with six fish in a restaurant tank who witness one of their companions being eaten, prompting them to ponder the meaning of life. One of the sketches, titled “The Miracle of Birth,” features maternity doctors who ignore a woman in labor while trying to impress the hospital administrator. In Yorkshire, a Roman Catholic man, after losing his job, tells his many children they must be sold for scientific experiments, as expressed in the song “Every Sperm Is Sacred.” A Protestant neighbor disapproves, proudly stating that Protestants can use contraception and enjoy sex, though his wife notes they rarely do.
In the “Growth and Learning” segment, boys are taught school etiquette before participating in a sex education lesson where their teacher demonstrates with his wife. A student who laughs is punished by being forced into a violent rugby match between students and teachers. The “Fighting Each Other” section focuses on the British military, including a scene from World War I where an officer tries to rally his troops, only to be met with farewell gifts instead of enthusiasm. Another scene shows a modern-day drill sergeant bullying soldiers, and a final scene from the Anglo-Zulu War depicts soldiers hunting for what they believe is a tiger, only to find men in a tiger costume.
The film’s midpoint introduces “The Middle of the Film,” featuring a segment called “Find the Fish,” where eccentric characters challenge the audience to locate a hidden fish. In “Middle Age,” an American couple visits a Hawaiian restaurant with a medieval torture theme, where a waiter engages them in a philosophical discussion about the meaning of life, all while the fish watch with interest. Monty Python’s *The Meaning of Life* combines humor and absurdity to explore life’s big questions.
Cast director: Terry Jones
Cast actor: Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, Simon Jones, Patricia Quinn, Judy Loe
Original name: The Meaning of Life