Holy Flying Circus
- Darren Boyd: John Cleese
- Charles Edwards: Michael Palin
- Steve Punt: Eric Idle
- Rufus Jones Terry Jones
- Tom Fisher: Graham Chapman
- Phil Nichol: Terry Gilliam
- Michael Cochrane: Malcolm Muggeridge
- Roy Marsden: Mervyn Stockwood, Bishop of Southwark
- Tom Price: Tim Rice
- Mark Heap: Andrew Thorogood
- Ben Crispin: Jesus
- Stephen Fry: God
Holy Flying Circus is a British television film made in 2011 about the controversy that sparked Life of Brian in 1979, the release of the film. It was first broadcast on BBC Four on October 19, 2011. The title makes reference to the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Action
Holy Flying Circus handled the protests of religious (particularly Christian ) groups against the comedian group Monty Python, the critics after the release of her film The Life of Brian blasphemy accused. The focus is on the background of the famous television debate that led John Cleese and Michael Palin on November 9, 1979 in broadcast Friday Night Saturday Morning with Mervyn Stockwood, the then Bishop of Southwark, and the Christian author Malcolm Muggeridge. Portions of this discussion were replayed for the film. Overall, the film is, however, not a factual report, but mixes real events with fictitious and partly - in line with the style of Monty Python productions - absurd subplots, in which God and Jesus also play a role.
Reviews
Holy Flying Circus received mostly positive reviews. The negative effects sometimes erratic and disjointed action was evaluated. Nevertheless, the humorous script was highlighted. Were unanimously praised the performances of the actors, in particular Darren Boyd's performance as John Cleese.