Back in 1979, Monty Python released their new feature-length film, a comedy about a mistaken messiah living at the same time as Jesus Christ.

Incredibly controversial and banned outright in some places on its debut, Life of Brian is today hailed as one of the greatest comedies of all time.

But did you know it was thanks to The Beatles legend George Harrison that the film was even made?

Just days before Life of Brian was due to start shooting, funding by EMI Films was withdrawn.

George, a big Monty Python fan, formed the production company HandMade Films to finance the comedy.

Harrison’s HandMade Films would also go on to produce other British classics, including Withnail and I, Time Bandits and The Long Good Friday.

But Life of Brian was where it all started, a film that proved so divisive it sparked picketing by Mary Whitehouse.

And when promoting the comedy in the US, Monty Python were required to write their wills in case of assassination attempts.

Despite being banned in some Southern states, Ireland and even Norway, the film arguably didn’t actually mock Christ at all.

John Cleese has said in the years since that they discovered there was nothing really to lampoon of the Son of God, so they made a comedy about a man mistaken for being the messiah instead.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian is streaming now for free on ITVX.