The Beatle loved Monty Python so much, he set up HandMade Films to make Life of Brian – and rehabilitated the UK movie industry. But the studio’s fun couldn’t last
In 1978, just as Monty Python’s Life of Brian was about to go into production, the chairman of EMI, Lord Delfont, got around to reading the screenplay his company had bought. He didn’t like it. He was so appalled, in fact, that he washed his hands of the whole outrageous venture, and the Pythons had to raise £2m in a hurry.
Eric Idle had the idea of phoning George Harrison, the richest person he knew; Harrison in turn consulted his American business manager, Denis O’Brien, who suggested that they fund the film themselves. The only snag was that they would have to remortgage Harrison’s mansion in Henley-on-Thames as well as O’Brien’s London offices. The ex-Beatle would go on to call it “the most expensive cinema ticket ever issued”. But, he reasoned, how else could he see the new Monty Python comedy?
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