Glasgow Lifts “Life of Brian” Ban, Fundies Pissed
MONTY Python’s Life of Brian will finally get a screening in Glasgow after a lengthy ban.
When it was granted a licence by the city council yesterday, Stephen “Birdshit†Green, who heads failed fundie pressure group Christian Voice, grizzled:
We know Glasgow was the last place in the country to keep the ban in place, as the only other area, Aberystwyth, had a screening a couple of months ago. It is a bit of a shame it’s now been granted a licence in Glasgow, but it shows how much we have let standards slip.
According to The Scotman, stars of the film, including Michael Palin, John Cleese and Terry Jones, will be invited to a special screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre in September.
In sharp contrast to the furore of 29 years ago, the city council’s licensing committee did not receive a single objection to the application.
The move was welcomed by film experts for bringing an end to a cinematic “anachronismâ€.
The Biblical satire, about a Jewish man accidentally mistaken for the Messiah and crucified, was turned down for an AA certificate – the equivalent of the current 15 rating – in February 1980. Glasgow was one of 39 British cities and towns which banned the film.
At the time, dozens of protesters gathered outside a Sauchiehall Street cinema, where councillors were attending a private screening.
The late Pastor Jack Glass, who spearheaded the protest, famously said the film “crucified Christ afresh†and thrust three nails at the committee chairman, John Chatham. But the pastor admitted he had not seen the film and was basing his views on a script.
Last night, a former lord provost, Michael Kelly, one of those who sat on the committee, but who voted in favour of it being given a licence, said councillors were “scandalised†after viewing the film.
I distinctly remember a lot of outrage, mainly because most councillors on the committee were Catholic in those days. They were genuinely shocked, but I was completely against any form of censorship and voted for it to be shown. I remember seeing it a few years later when I was on a skiing holiday in France. It was shown in English with French subtitles. It was hilarious.
Councillor Willie O’Rourke, the vice-convener of the licensing committee, said:
This is the first application we’ve received to show Monty Python’s Life of Brian since the first request in 1980. The world, and people’s attitudes, have moved on in the past 30 years, so I believe the committee made the right decision.
Allison Gardner, head of cinemas at the GFT, added:
The film has been widely available to the general public on video and DVD and has been screened on terrestrial television. None of these events has caused widespread offence, or in any way destroyed the sanctity of the Church or undermined its place in our wider society. I believe the film is seen as an affectionate and inspired depiction of the life of Jesus from a perspective that is humorous, rather than blasphemous.
Koba's Note: I can't believe some fundies still have their panties in a twist over this movie. I bet if they actually watched it they might, perhaps, learn to take a joke. I'm not holding my breath though. It's been 30 years, time to move on people.