Time Bandits (1981)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writers:

Michael Palin (written by) &
Terry Gilliam (written by)

Release Date:

6 November 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

All the dreams you've ever had and not just the good ones

Plot:

A young boy accidently joins a band of dwarves as they jump from time-period to time-period looking for treasure to steal.

Plot Keywords:

Treasure | Fortress | Evil | Dwarf | Map

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

John Cleese	...	Robin Hood
Sean Connery	...	King Agamemnon / Fireman
Shelley Duvall	...	Dame Pansy / Pansy
Katherine Helmond	...	Mrs. Ogre
Ian Holm	...	Napoleon
Michael Palin	...	Vincent
Ralph Richardson	...	Supreme Being
Peter Vaughan	...	Winston the Ogre
David Warner	...	Evil Genius
David Rappaport	...	Randall
Kenny Baker	...	Fidgit
Malcolm Dixon	...	Strutter
Mike Edmonds	...	Og
Jack Purvis	...	Wally
Tiny Ross	...	Vermin

Runtime:

116 min | USA:110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 (VET id: 90845) | France:U | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Haywood, Birch Hill, Bracknell, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

HandMade Films

Trivia:

Ruth Gordon was cast as Mrs. Ogre but replaced before filming because of a broken limb.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Though the Napoleon scene took place in 1796, we see Napoleon is wearing the Legion of Honor (Légion d'Honneur). The medal was not constructed until May 19th 1802.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Announcer: Yes, folks... Moderna Designs present the latest in kitchen luxury. The Moderna Wonder Major All Automatic Convenience Center-ette gives you all the time in the world to do the things you really want to do... An infrared freezer-oven complex that can make you a meal from packet to plate in 15 1/2 seconds.
Kevin's Mother: Morrisons have got one that can do that in eight seconds.
Kevin's Father: Oh?
Kevin's Mother: Block of ice to Beef Bourguignon in eight seconds. Lucky things.
Kevin: Dad, did you know that the ancient Greek warriors had to learn 44 different ways of unarmed combat?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Flushed Away (2006)

Soundtrack:

Dream Away

God's "employees" off for a bit of white collar crime.

A terrific little fantasy that, not surprisingly, has flavors of Monty Python. My children and I first saw it in the early '80s on a night ferry from Harwich to Zeebrugge. I've seen it a few times since, and marvel at the creativity that went into the film. God's "employees" trying to use a map of the universe to track down treasure is the theme; running around through time trying to find the treasure is the game. The cameos by Cleese, Connery and the rest are some amusing highlights, but the Time Bandits themselves really make the story. The climactic scenes with the Evil Genius made me think more than a little of the Sorcerer's Apprentice.

I think it is a well done bit of fantasy for older children and adults; it helps to know a bit of history going into it. I wouldn't let my six-year old granddaughter see it -- at least not yet -- but she and her sister probably will love the adventure in a few years.