History Film / MontyPythonsTheMeaningOfLife

** Eric Idle plays Queen Elizabeth II.

* TakeThat: The "Organ Harvesting" scene was a response to US critics stating the Black Knight in ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'' scene was too violent.

* BackForTheFinale: The "Christmas in Heaven" song.

* AntiClimax: Intentional, as [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily Queen Elizabeth II]] is handed an envelope and reads in a bored voice: "Try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

* AntiClimax: Intentional, as Queen Elizabeth II is handed an envelope and reads in a bored voice: "Try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Graham Chapman plays Music/TonyBennett in the "Christmas In Heaven" number.

* {{Cuckold}}: The husband in the first birth segment is believed to be one.

''Creator/MontyPython's The Meaning of Life'' arrived in 1983 as the last hurrah of the complete six-man troupe, directed by Creator/TerryJones. The film marked the troupe's return to sketch-based comedy after two films that followed a linear plot. The film's sketches are loosely connected and arranged by the stages of human life.

* HypocriticalHumor:

* VulgarHumor: So, so much:

* GrandFinale: The third and final movie of the Python trilogy (not counting Film/AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent as it was simply a Flying Circus sketch compilation), as well as the last major Python project featuring all six members.

* TheHedonist: Mr Creosote's gluttony isn't just limited to food. He also downs several bottles of alcohol, despite his upset stomach.

This is notable as ''by far'' the grossest of the Python films, via such highlights as the aforementioned "Live Organ Transplants" sketch and the restaurant scene featuring Mr. Creosote. That didn't stop it from receiving the Grand Prize of the Jury award at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, however.

* FanserviceExtra: The thirty-odd topless women running in slo-mo, bouncing, sweating, which was the condemned man's LastRequest [[spoiler: and execution method - he was meant to run from them until he dropped dead]]. It's meta when you learn that [[spoiler: the crime he has been convicted of is "first-degree making of sexist jokes in a moving picture"]] and played by ''Creator/GrahamChapman.''

* {{Fanservice}}: The thirty-odd topless women running in slo-mo, bouncing, sweating, which was the condemned man's LastRequest [[spoiler: and execution method - he was meant to run from them until he dropped dead]]. It's meta when you learn that [[spoiler: the crime he has been convicted of is "first-degree making of sexist jokes in a moving picture"]] and played by ''Creator/GrahamChapman.''

->''Why are we here?''
->''What's life all about?''
->''Is God really real?''
->''Or is there some doubt?''
->''Well tonight-''
->''We're going-''
->''to sort it all out,''
->''For tonight it's the Meaning of Life!''

---> '''Pupil''': Was it taking your clothes off, sir?
---> '''Headmaster''': And after that?
---> '''Pupil''': Oh! Putting them on a lower peg, sir?
---> (Headmaster throws a blackboard duster at him)

* RacistGrandma: "You see I feel that life's a game, you sometimes win or lose. And though I might be down right now, at least I don't work for Jews!"

* LongList: At the start of a lesson, the headmaster recites a long list of instructions to the pupils.
--> Now before I begin the lesson will those of you who are playing in the match this afternoon move your clothes down on to the lower peg immediately after lunch before you write your letter home, if you're not getting your hair cut, unless you've got a younger brother who is going out this weekend as the guest of another boy, in which case collect his note before lunch, put it in your letter after you've had your hair cut, and make sure he moves your clothes down onto the lower peg for you. Now...

* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: One skit has a man executed by being chased through Dover and off a cliff by naked women (well, boxing helmets, thongs, kneesocks and cleats). It's mentioned that he was allowed to choose the method of his execution.

--> Well, ça c'est le Meaning of Life!