Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
“It took God six days to create the heavens and the earth...and Monty Python ninety minutes to screw it up.”
Synopsis
Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor. The world's most voracious glutton brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Meaning of Life (1983) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HQ]
Type: Trailer • Published 2022-09-18
Top Cast
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Terry Gilliam
Various Roles
Graham Chapman
Various Roles
John Cleese
Various Roles
Eric Idle
Various Roles
Terry Jones
Various Roles
Michael Palin
Various Roles
Carol Cleveland
Various Roles
Simon Jones
Cedric
Patricia Quinn
Mrs. Williams
Judy Loe
Nurse #1
Andrew Bicknell
(Segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Andrew MacLachlan
Groom
Mark Holmes
Severed head
Valerie Whittington
Mrs. Moore
Jennifer Franks
Bride
Imogen Bickford-Smith
Nurse #2
Angela Mann
Second guest's wife
Sydney Arnold
Pirate Captain (segment "The Crimson Permanent Assurance")
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
March 31, 1983
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 1, 1996
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$9M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$42.7M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
4.75x
+$33.7M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Terry Jones
- Screenplay & Story
- Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, John Cleese
- Original Score
- John Du Prez
- Original Title
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Production Budget
- $9M
- Worldwide Gross
- $42.7M
- Production Studios
- Celandine Films, The Monty Python Partnership
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Terry Jones
Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, John Cleese
John Du Prez
Peter Hannan, Roger Pratt
Julian Doyle
John Goldstone
Department Leadership Roster
Graham Chapman
Screenplay
Terry Jones
Director
Harry Lange
Production Design
Terry Gilliam
Screenplay
Michael Palin
Screenplay
John Goldstone
Producer
Terry Jones
Screenplay
John Du Prez
Original Music Composer
Eric Idle
Screenplay
John Cleese
Screenplay
Julian Doyle
Editor
Peter Hannan
Director of Photography
Roger Pratt
Director of Photography
James Acheson
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Monty Python's The Meaning of Life about?
Life's questions are 'answered' in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. Then there's the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor. The world's most voracious glutton brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise.
Who directed Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life was directed by Terry Jones.
Who stars in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?
The principal cast of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life includes Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones.
When was Monty Python's The Meaning of Life released and how long is it?
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life was released in 1983 with a total runtime of 1h 47m.
What was the box office and production budget of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life had a reported production budget of $9M and grossed $42.7M at the worldwide box office (4.75 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life was composed by John Du Prez.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).