Holy Flying Circus 2011 In 1979 the Monty Python comedy team return from making their film Monty Pythons Life of Brian in Tunisia Premiered in America the film is pilloried by ultra right religious groups for its depiction of Christ In England the Popular Peoples Church of St Sophia whose members include a Tourettes sufferer who shouts out swear words find a copy of the script in a dustbin and lobby the British censor for its suppression, leading to many local councils banning its screening Death threats follow and Michael Palin the nicest man in Britain has his effigy burned on his front lawn Finally crazed TV programmer Alan Dick persuades Palin and co star John Cleese to defend the picture on a late night chat show against the Bishop of Southwark and religious commentator Malcolm Muggeridge Thanks to Cleeses reasoning the Pythons are seen to triumph, winning over the Popular Peoples Church A later encounter with God will show how the films controversy paved the way for other artistic endeavours which prompted protest Brilliant characterisations are vitiated by a satirical treatment including animated sequences and irritating attempts at surreal wit when a documentary style treatment would have sufficed Several of the Pythons were hostile to the film, summed up in the floor managers comment Another fantasy sequence lame