|
The Meaning of Life (1983)
7.5
The comedy team takes a look at life in all its stages in their own uniquely silly way. Director:Terry Jones |
107 min - 
Watch now
Buy it from
Amazon »
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
Another
1 win
&
1 nomination
See more awards »
Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Graham Chapman | ... |
Chairman
/
Fish #1
/
Doctor
/
Harry Blackitt
/
Wymer
/
Hordern
/
General
/
Coles
/
Narrator #2
/
Dr. Livingstone
/
Transvestite
/
Eric
/
Guest #1
/
Arthur Jarrett
/
Geoffrey
/
Tony Bennett
|
|
| John Cleese | ... |
Fish #2
/
Dr. Spencer
/
Humphrey Williams
/
Sturridge
/
Ainsworth
/
Waiter
/
Eric's Assistant
/
Maître D'
/
Grim Reaper
|
|
| Terry Gilliam | ... |
Window Washer
/
Fish #4
/
Walters
/
Middle of the Film Announcer
/
M'Lady Joeline
/
Mr. Brown
/
Howard Katzenberg
|
|
| Eric Idle | ... |
Gunther
/
Fish #3
/
Gaston
/
'Meaning of Life' Singer
/
Mr. Moore
/
Mrs. Blackitt
/
Watson
/
Blackitt
/
Atkinson
/
Perkins
/
Victim #3
/
Front End
/
Mrs. Hendy
/
Man in Pink
/
Noël Coward
/
Angela
|
|
| Terry Jones | ... |
Bert
/
Fish #6
/
Mum
/
Priest
/
Biggs
/
Sergeant
/
Man with Bendy Arms
/
Mrs. Brown
/
Mr. Creosote
/
Maria
/
Leaf Father
/
Fiona Portland-Smyth
|
|
| Michael Palin | ... |
Window Washer
/
Harry
/
Fish #5
/
Mr. Pycroft
/
Dad
/
Narrator #1
/
Chaplain
/
Carter
/
Spadger
/
Regimental Sergeant Major
/
Pakenham-Walsh
/
Rear End
/
Female TV Presenter
/
Mr. Marvin Hendy
/
Governor
/
Leaf Son
/
Debbie Katzenberg
|
|
|
Carol Cleveland | ... |
Beefeater Waitress
/
Wife of Guest #1
/
Leaf Mother
/
Leaf Daughter
/
Heaven Receptionist
|
| Simon Jones | ... |
Chadwick
/
Jeremy Portland-Smyth
|
|
| Patricia Quinn | ... |
Mrs. Williams
|
|
|
|
Judy Loe | ... |
Nurse #1
|
|
|
Andrew MacLachlan | ... |
Groom
/
Wycliff
/
Victim #1
/
Guest #3
|
|
|
Mark Holmes | ... |
Victim #2
/
Troll Waiter
/
Guest #2
|
|
|
Valerie Whittington | ... |
Mrs. Moore
|
|
|
Jennifer Franks | ... |
Bride
|
|
|
Imogen Bickford-Smith | ... |
Nurse #2
(as Imogen Bickford Smith)
|
Edit
Storyline
Why are we here, what's it all about? The Monty Python-team is trying to sort out the most important question on Earth: what is the meaning of life? They do so by exploring the various stages of life, starting with birth. A doctor seems more interested in his equipment than in delivering the baby or caring for the mother, a Roman Catholic couple have quite a lot of children because 'every sperm is sacred'. In the growing and learning part of life, catholic schoolboys attend a rather strange church service and ditto sex education lesson. Onto war, where an officer's plan to attack is thwarted by his underlings wanting to celebrate his birthday and an officer's leg is bitten off by presumably an African tiger. At middle age a couple orders 'philosophy' at a restaurant, after which the film continues with live organ transplants. The autumn years are played in a restaurant... Written by Arnoud Tiele (imdb@tiele.nl)
Plot Summary | Add SynopsisTaglines:
What it is, Where it is, and how to avoid treading in it [Video Australia] See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
(USA) See more »Also Known As:
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life See more »Box Office
Budget:
$9,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$1,987,000 (USA) (3 April 1983) (257 Screens)Gross:
$14,929,552 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| Germany: (2003 restored director's cut)Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Congregation: O Lord...
Chaplain: ...Ooh, You are so big...
Congregation: ...ooh, You are so big...
Chaplain: ...So absolutely huge.
Congregation: ...So absolutely huge.
Chaplain: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Congregation: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Chaplain: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...
Congregation: And barefaced flattery.
[...]
See more »
this film. We hope that other fish will follow the example of those
who have participated, so that, in future, fish all over the world
will live together in harmony and understanding, and put aside their
petty differences, cease pursuing and eating each other and live for
a brighter, better future for all fish, and those who love them. See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This film being the last Monty Python film, the characters they are seen playing last are as following: Graham Chapman as Tony Bennett, John Cleese as Death, Terry Gilliam as Howard Katzenberg, Eric Idle as Angela, Terry Jones as Mrs. Brown and Michael Palin as the Lady presenter. The last shot featuring all the Pythons together is when Death shows the six dead people 'Paradise' (although John Cleese is playing Death and thus not recognizable). See more »Goofs
Boom mic visible: In the scene where The Grim Reaper is talking to the couple and their dinner guests, you can see the boom mic moving along the fabric which is the ceiling. See more »Quotes
Chaplain: Let us praise God. O Lord...Congregation: O Lord...
Chaplain: ...Ooh, You are so big...
Congregation: ...ooh, You are so big...
Chaplain: ...So absolutely huge.
Congregation: ...So absolutely huge.
Chaplain: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Congregation: Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Chaplain: Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...
Congregation: And barefaced flattery.
[...]
See more »
Crazy Credits
The Producers would like to thank all the fish who have taken part inthis film. We hope that other fish will follow the example of those
who have participated, so that, in future, fish all over the world
will live together in harmony and understanding, and put aside their
petty differences, cease pursuing and eating each other and live for
a brighter, better future for all fish, and those who love them. See more »
Connections
Referenced in "Full Circle with Michael Palin: Vietnam/Philippines (#1.4)" (1997) See more »
Copyright © 1990-2012
IMDb.com, Inc.
Terms and Privacy Policy under which this service is provided to you.
An 
company.