Page "Monty Python's Life of Brian" Paragraph 38

One of the most controversial scenes was the film's ending: Brian's crucifixion.

Many Christian protesters said that it was mocking Jesus ' suffering by turning it into a " Jolly Boys Outing " ( such as when Mr Cheeky turns to Brian and says: " See, not so bad once you're up!

"), capped by Brian's fellow sufferers suddenly bursting into song.

This is also reinforced by the fact that several characters throughout the film claim crucifixion is not as bad as it seems, such as when Brian asks his cellmate in prison what will happen to him, he replies ; " Oh, you'll probably get away with crucifixion.

" and when Matthias, the old man who works with the PFJ dismisses crucifixion as " a doddle " and says being stabbed would be worse.

The director, Terry Jones, issued the following riposte to this criticism: " Any religion that makes a form of torture into an icon that they worship seems to me a pretty sick sort of religion quite honestly ".

Religious figures later responded by saying that Jones did not seem to understand the meaning of the crucifix symbol or its significance to Christians as a reminder of the suffering and death Christ endured for their sake.

They also argued that crucifixion was a standard form of execution in ancient times and not just one especially reserved for Jesus.