Film Gold

Antony and Luke complete their look at the flawed smorgasbord of ideas that is 1983’s ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life’, going through the remaining good, bad, ugly, extremely violent & completely gross scenes, and separating the top tier from the filler tracks.
 
In this part, expect to hear discussion of galaxies,internal organs, death and anticlimax, not to mention the adventures of Mr Creosote, yet more French accents and the token Beatles reference
 
Ultimately, were the Pythons too old? Too tired? Too middle-aged?
 
Please make your own mind up, even though I’ve arguably now told you what to think twice…
 
Most of all, enjoy!
 
'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.
 
Feedback to [email protected]
 
Facebook⁠⁠
⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠
⁠⁠ 
Twitter
⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠
 
Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠
⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠
 
Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts⁠⁠
⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠
⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠
 
Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
OR
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
 
Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel)
https://teacherluke.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast
 
Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaborations:
Holy Grail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA
 
Life of Brian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5673s

The original video version of our Meaning of Life review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecb9nT1ZcAM
 
episode links
‘The Meaning of Life’ film pages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_The_Meaning_of_Life
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/
 
Original trailer for the film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJ24QwHdCY

‘Meaning of Life’ documentary with the Pythons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_IpHCCyAC4&t=765s
 
Marching Up & Down The Square!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgU2DJlBiw
 
The Galaxy Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqtdpuZxvk
 
Eric Idle and Brian Cox update the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IFGH11uxaI
 
The universe is way bigger than you think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy7NzjCmUf0
 
Mr Creosote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aczPDGC3f8U
 
Magical Mystery Tour spaghetti scene (inspiration for Mr Creosote scene)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g-lSJ-r1Ikw
 
Christmas In Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntQNeSge5s

More than a pleasure to ‘get back’ (see what I did there?) with friend and podcast comrade Luke Thompson to round off our sort-of trilogy of Monty Python films (originally recorded on video, see below).

This time round, Antony and Luke look at the flawed smorgasbord of ideas that is 1983’s ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life’, going scene-by-scene through the good, bad, ugly, extremely violent, completely gross and filler, and trying to find just what ismissing from this Python outing that made the previous two films close to flawless masterpieces (actually we say it right at the beginning but don’t tell anyone…)

In this part we give our general opinions of the film and look at some of the early scenes, so expect to hear about elderly pirates, sacred sperms and French ticklers. This is preceded by a bit of Python/Beatles comparisoning (that may not be a word) for our crossover audiences

Make your own mind up, even though I’ve already told you what to think…

Most of all, enjoy!

'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.
 
Feedback to [email protected]
 
Facebook⁠⁠
⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠
⁠⁠ 
Twitter
⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠
 
Antony's website(blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠
⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠
 
Antony’s JohnLennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts ⁠⁠
⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠
⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠
 
Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
OR
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
 
Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel)
https://teacherluke.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast
 
Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaborations:
Holy Grail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA
 
Life of Brian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5673s
 
The original video version of this review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecb9nT1ZcAM

episode links
'The Meaning of Life' film pages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_The_Meaning_of_Life
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/
 
Original trailer for the film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMJ24QwHdCY

‘Meaning of Life’ documentary with the Pythons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_IpHCCyAC4&t=765s
 
Every Sperm Is Sacred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUspLVStPbk
 
Steve Coogan’s ‘The c**t song’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cH0elKDOzs&rco=1
 
The Protestants having lots of theoretical sex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDBjsFAyiwA
 
Python/Beatles connections (clip from ‘Glass Onion: On John Lennon’ podcast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMRj_y8g7Ck
 
Boris Johnson gets a bit too ‘enthusiastic’ playing rugby andfootball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NN5S9sPFM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYrLfxvfhM

Luke and Antony complete their look at the classic comedy ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian', the talk originally recorded on video earlier this year (see below).

It’s hard to avoid the controversy that surrounded this filmwhen it came out, and you will hear a clip or two from the remarkable TV debate around the more contentious aspects of it, the like of which would surely not be seen these days.

Most important though is the marvellous, some would sayflawless, content of the film, and we discuss some of the most famous and iconic scenes. Expect to hear about what the Romans did for civilisation, a famous Roman governor with a speech impediment, a rather unique Latin lesson and of course a controversially jolly accompaniment to the most agonising death imaginable.

Our review of the follow-up film ‘Monty Python’s The Meaningof Life’ will follow (as it should) in January

For now, enjoy!
 
'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.
 
Feedback to [email protected]
 
Facebook⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠
⁠⁠ 
Twitter
⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠
 
Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠
 
Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Mediapodcasts⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠⁠
 
Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
OR
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
 
Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast
 
Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaboration (HolyGrail)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA
 
episode links
Video version of this discussion (June 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5674s
 
‘Life of Brian’ film pages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python's_Life_of_Brian
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/
 
The Secret Life of Brian (recommended documentary)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdU_6jUQI9s
 
The TV debate in full and the ‘Not The Nine O’Clock News’parody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYMpObbt2rs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asUyK6JWt9U&t=1s
 
The graffiti Latin lesson scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ogBSKySo8U
 
Crucifixion admin scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnqLfUF5a9s
 
Commentary tracks for the film by the Monty Python members
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNpCzcbpjc8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQGMKk6h_nw&t=159s
 
How bad was crucifixion? (caution- very grisly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-EVfxABSoU

What more is there to say about Monty Python’s Life ofBrian? Well, we may as well give it a bash.
 
Luke Thompson takes on hosting duties for a swapcast between Film Gold and Luke’s English Podcast, originally recorded on video earlier this year (see below).
 
In this first part, Luke & Antony discuss among otherthings their histories with the film, the basic philosophy of the Python team regarding biblical epics, some of the original inspiration for the film, and its production and financing.
 
Fans of the film will know that in that final aspect, acertain Beatle may well get a mention…
 
Part 2 will follow in early December
 
Enjoy!
 
'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.
 
Feedback to [email protected]
 
Facebook⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠⁠
⁠⁠ 
Twitter
⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠
 
Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠⁠
 
Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Mediapodcasts⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠⁠
 
Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: OnJohn Lennon and Life And Life Only) at
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
OR
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
 
Luke’s English Podcast (main site and you tube channel) https://teacherluke.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/LukesEnglishPodcast
 
Luke & Antony’s previous Python film collaboration (HolyGrail)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMtOOBpRBaA
 
episode links
Video version of this discussion (June 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYNW-fBpUoc&t=5674s
 
Film trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYHEordIo88
 
‘Life of Brian’ film pages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python's_Life_of_Brian
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/
 
Saint George to the rescue!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDFdcfRAaCg
 
The Secret Life of Brian (recommended documentary)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdU_6jUQI9s
 
George Harrison & Michael Palin in The Rutles’ film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ifa3wqqDE

Among Oliver Stone’s large and celebrated body of work is afilm from 1997 that was largely ignored and derided at the time but is a classic case of a rediscovered gem with cult appeal. Scott Phipps joins Antony to look at the dark and twisted ‘U Turn’.

Sean Penn leads an ensemble cast including the ultimate femme fatale Jennifer Lopez and many recognisable and renowned names at various stages of their careers. We recommend multiple viewings of this film to fullyabsorb all the details and vast array of images

Is this actually a comedy of the blackest kind, as thetrailer would lead you to believe? Will Bobby Cooper ever get out of town? And is everyone in Superior, Arizona on drugs?

'Film Gold' is on all the main podcast platforms.
 
Feedback to [email protected]
 
Facebook⁠⁠
⁠https://www.facebook.com/filmgoldpod⁠
⁠⁠ 
Twitter
⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FilmGold75⁠
 
Antony's website (blog, music, podcasts) ⁠⁠
⁠https://www.antonyrotunno.com⁠
 
Antony’s John Lennon/Beatles and Psychology/Alt. Media podcasts⁠⁠
⁠https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com⁠
⁠https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com⁠
 
Support Antony’s podcast work (Film Gold, Glass Onion: On John Lennon and Life And Life Only) at
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
OR
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
 
episode links
‘U Turn’ original trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uidcyKDkFWU&t=1s
 
‘U Turn’ Wikipedia & IMDB pages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U_Turn_(1997_film)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120399/
 
Film ’97 original feature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oonm3a6xPSM
 
Roger Ebert review
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/u-turn-1997
 
Oliver Stone commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R22-lLw5eMc&t=375s
 
Ennio Morricone and U Turn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8PthAjIlZs
 
1997 in film (lots of competition!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_in_film