This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/7633749.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Python movie 'ban' finally lifted | Python movie 'ban' finally lifted |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Monty Python fans in a Devon resort are to be given the chance to watch a classic comedy film, nearly 30 years after it was effectively banned there. | Monty Python fans in a Devon resort are to be given the chance to watch a classic comedy film, nearly 30 years after it was effectively banned there. |
| When The Life of Brian was released in 1979 the local authority in Torbay said its 15 rating was unsuitable and asked for it to be reclassified as an 18. | When The Life of Brian was released in 1979 the local authority in Torbay said its 15 rating was unsuitable and asked for it to be reclassified as an 18. |
| The film's distributors refused, no compromise was reached and the movie was never screened in Torbay. | The film's distributors refused, no compromise was reached and the movie was never screened in Torbay. |
| New advice was taken after the movie won a poll ahead of a film festival. | New advice was taken after the movie won a poll ahead of a film festival. |
| After The Life of Brian won an online vote to be shown at the English Riviera International Comedy Film Festival, Torbay Council sought legal advice and decided the 1979 ruling had been redundant for a number of years. | After The Life of Brian won an online vote to be shown at the English Riviera International Comedy Film Festival, Torbay Council sought legal advice and decided the 1979 ruling had been redundant for a number of years. |
| I was interested to read that the ban on Brian was to protect the people in Torbay, as Torbay had already been infected by Monty Python Python star Michael Palin | I was interested to read that the ban on Brian was to protect the people in Torbay, as Torbay had already been infected by Monty Python Python star Michael Palin |
| The council said regulations which had allowed a local authority to look at the age ratings of films changed more than 20 years ago, but to its knowledge no-one had asked to show the movie in the area until now. | The council said regulations which had allowed a local authority to look at the age ratings of films changed more than 20 years ago, but to its knowledge no-one had asked to show the movie in the area until now. |
| A council spokeswoman said the authority had made the decision in 1979 "to protect the people in Torbay" after concerns were raised about the film's content by some local residents. | A council spokeswoman said the authority had made the decision in 1979 "to protect the people in Torbay" after concerns were raised about the film's content by some local residents. |
| "The council do not have those powers any more and therefore the decision relating to the previous screening of the film is void," she said. | "The council do not have those powers any more and therefore the decision relating to the previous screening of the film is void," she said. |
| Blasphemy accusations | Blasphemy accusations |
| Matt Newbury, one of the team organising the festival, said: "We only became aware that there could be a problem after an informal chat with our MP Adrian Sanders, who remembered that the film had in effect been banned all those years ago." | Matt Newbury, one of the team organising the festival, said: "We only became aware that there could be a problem after an informal chat with our MP Adrian Sanders, who remembered that the film had in effect been banned all those years ago." |
| The movie tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish man born at the same time and in the same place as Jesus Christ, who is frequently mistaken for the Messiah. | The movie tells the story of Brian Cohen, a young Jewish man born at the same time and in the same place as Jesus Christ, who is frequently mistaken for the Messiah. |
| Some Christians, particularly those on the evangelical wing of the church, argue that the comedy is blasphemous. | Some Christians, particularly those on the evangelical wing of the church, argue that the comedy is blasphemous. |
| The Monty Python team have always rejected such accusations. | The Monty Python team have always rejected such accusations. |
| Michael Palin, one of the writers and stars of the film, said: "I was interested to read that the ban on Brian was to protect the people in Torbay, as Torbay had already been infected by Monty Python. | Michael Palin, one of the writers and stars of the film, said: "I was interested to read that the ban on Brian was to protect the people in Torbay, as Torbay had already been infected by Monty Python. |
| "A long sketch, Scott of the Sahara had been filmed on Paignton Beach, and of course, famously, John Cleese got the idea for Faulty Towers from a Torquay Hotel." | |
| Torbay mayor Nick Bye said: "The world has moved on. I haven't seen the film but I welcome its showing on Sunday." | Torbay mayor Nick Bye said: "The world has moved on. I haven't seen the film but I welcome its showing on Sunday." |