I've read that John Cleese initially wanted to play the title role in Life of Brian but the other Pythons convinced him he'd be better in the ensemble roles, leaving the lead role to Graham Chapman again. This scene certainly seems to work better with his imposing presence as a centurion. Ultimately hilarious, too.
I am a little surprised to hear Chapman's voice go that high.
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They made so few movies that it seems churlish to try picking a favorite. The Meaning of Life had some ingenious moments but The Life of Brian had some truly brilliant episodes and this was one of them. I took Latin for three years in high school and never did get the hang of declining verbs which makes Cleese's version of a formidable instructor ring very true in my memory. Our teacher was the epitome of a tough and unflappable old bird. One time one of the boys in the class made retching sounds and as she passed down the aisle and noted the plastic vomit by his desk she just said, 'Pick that up' and kept walking.
Other scenes I recall (in the movie, that is) were the politically correct debating peasants, the supposed women who wanted to get on with the stoning, and the one with Pilate introducing Biggus Dickus.
Of course I have to mention too that the last part still makes me cry.
Of course there's a reason Monty Python and the Holy Grail put them on the map. Worldwide, I mean. Flying Circus was popular in the UK, but I think the rest of the world mostly discovered it after they got into movies. Anyway, the Pythons as Knights of the Round Table was brilliant all the way through. Meaning of Life had some brilliant scenes. At that point it seemed like they might want to get back into TV, although they never did.
From this movie I also have a fond remembrance for the squabbling sections of the Judaean resistance and the stoning scene.
I can see why the ending could make you cry. That makes total sense.
Oh and it's kind of wild to know you took Latin in school. I know a couple of serious Catholics who've learned it but no one else.
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