NOT THE MESSIAH (HES A VERY NAUGHTY BOY) (Sony, 2010) D: Aubrey Powell, w/ Eric Idle, Michael Palin. Rating: NNNN DVD package: NNN Rating: NNNN
Not The Messiah (He’s A Very Naughty Boy) is an oratorio version of Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. A 120-member orchestra, 140 choral singers, four classically trained soloists and Eric Idle, all in white tie and tails, gather in the Royal Albert Hall to a packed and wildly enthusiastic house. Pythons Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam show up to contribute silly bits.
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The story centres on Brian Cohen, a contemporary of Jesus who is definitely not the Messiah, but that doesn’t deter a horde of would-be followers, which earns him trouble with the Romans.
The music, excellently played and sung, ranges from mock-heroic to doo-wop, climaxing with Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, notated in the extras’ singalong feature. These aren’t really singalong songs, but adventurous couples might want to try the romantic duet Amordeus.
Director Aubrey Powell catches the show’s energy with an ever-moving camera and razor-sharp cutting. Sadly, there isn’t a word about his work in the half-hour making-of doc that details how Idle and musical partner John Du Prez put the show together in a mere week.
EXTRAS Making-of doc, backstage footage, singalong feature. Widescreen. English audio. English, French subtitles.
