This is a movie I haven’t seen before viewing it as a class and it was interesting to see it for the first time. I knew this was an older movie based on the style but I later connected the dots that the things that would be considered controversial today wouldn’t have the same effect then.
This movie doesn’t make fun of religion itself but instead critiques the people who decide to blindly follow. Many decisions the followers make aren’t really based on what Brain says/ try to find a deeper meaning in his words. They follow along with what fits their interpretation.
This is emphasized by the divide when the followers have a disagreement and create their own methods. Although satirical, this could be interpreted as judgemental.
Similarly to how things are banned today, I read about how the policy makers banning the film hadn’t seen it before.
The crucifications at the end of the movie are supposed to be a moment of grief but the narrative gets flipped when it ends with all the characters singing a happy song about looking on the bright side. This can be interpreted as mocking Christ and belittling his story.
In another class I’m in, we discuss a lot about assimilation, identity, and cultural significance. I found it interesting how I could connect the lessons I learned there when watching this movie. Brain proclaims he is proud to be Jewish (?) until he is confronted by Caesar. He saw there was an opportunity to benefit from his Roman side he rejected until now.
