In the movie Life of Brian, Brian is a reimagined interpretation of Jesus Christ as a messianic figure. He is mistakenly visited by three wise men bearing gifts in the beginning of the movie, and the similarities continue from there. However, Brian is an unwilling 'messiah.' In their desperate need for someone to save them from Roman oppression, the Jewish people follow Brian simply to have someone to follow. He accidentally preaches when trying to escape the Romans and then is joined by a group of people trying to make him the Messiah. Although he constantly tries to get rid of them by saying things like "Be an individual" they continue to view him as a leader. He commits 'miracles' and is crucified, but unlike Jesus he is an unwilling participant in the role in which he has found himself.
This role of Brian as a Messiah is satirical because he preaches independence and wants to be left alone. This is not the message Jesus puts forth in the Bible. The Jewish people are shown in a bad light as they don't fully understand the oppression which they are suffering under due to the Roman government. They simply want someone to lead them, and being practically mindless sheep they use Brian as a sort of stand-in Messiah and therefore become his disciples. At the time of his crucifixion, not only are people separated into goups but Brian attempts to escape his death by saying he is a Roman. Only when he realizes he has no hope of surviving does he accept his fate.
This movie makes the audience rethink Jesus as a human being beccause Brian is such a hesitant leader. He doesn't want to be in charge, much less be the Messiah the Jewish people have been waiting for to save them. He tries to escape his death and does not view dying as his duty for everyone else, but rather as an unpleasant experience. In short, Brian is an average person put into the role of Jesus rather than Jesus the way the Gospels portray him: as a benevolent character who is fully willing to lead and die to save everyoen else from their sings
This role of Brian as a Messiah is satirical because he preaches independence and wants to be left alone. This is not the message Jesus puts forth in the Bible. The Jewish people are shown in a bad light as they don't fully understand the oppression which they are suffering under due to the Roman government. They simply want someone to lead them, and being practically mindless sheep they use Brian as a sort of stand-in Messiah and therefore become his disciples. At the time of his crucifixion, not only are people separated into goups but Brian attempts to escape his death by saying he is a Roman. Only when he realizes he has no hope of surviving does he accept his fate.
This movie makes the audience rethink Jesus as a human being beccause Brian is such a hesitant leader. He doesn't want to be in charge, much less be the Messiah the Jewish people have been waiting for to save them. He tries to escape his death and does not view dying as his duty for everyone else, but rather as an unpleasant experience. In short, Brian is an average person put into the role of Jesus rather than Jesus the way the Gospels portray him: as a benevolent character who is fully willing to lead and die to save everyoen else from their sings
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