Thanks to Mel Gibson, "The Life of Brian" makes a early comeback

Di, 11.05.2004, Sabine Mohler

Monty Python is back in British cinemas. The legendary sixpack of the sublimely ridiculous caused an uproar in 1979 with their biblical parody «The Life of Brian». Now the film's 25th anniversary comeback is being pushed forward thanks to Mel Gibson.

Former Monty Python member Terry Jones tells it like it is for the revival of «The Life of Brian». The director of the cult film says it's thanks to Mel Gibson's «The Passion of the Christ» that the comeback has an earlier start date. «It's shameless commercial opportunism on our part. We're definitely trying to cash in on Mel's enormous success.» The movie was previously due to be re-released in August for its 25th anniversary, but with Gibson's help, «The Life of Brian»'s second premiere is due out already in May. In 1979, the movie about a reluctant messiah named Brian caused a furor and was even banned in some countries.