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Movies / On DVD / Time Bandits
Time Bandits

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Time Bandits (1982)

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Reviews Counted:5

Fresh:4

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.9/10

Consensus: Time Bandits is a remarkable time-travel fantasy from Terry Gilliam, who utilizes fantastic set design and homemade special effects to create a vivid, original universe.

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: Plunging headfirst into history, director Terry Gilliam fearlessly brings the logic of children's fairy tales to bear as he navigates through myth and legend in a bizarre, ingenious retelling of... Plunging headfirst into history, director Terry Gilliam fearlessly brings the logic of children's fairy tales to bear as he navigates through myth and legend in a bizarre, ingenious retelling of THE WIZARD OF OZ. A boy and six good-natured little persons careen through time-twisting interactions with Napoleon, Robin Hood, and Agamemnon, among others, with a map the little people stole from their employer, the Supreme Being. But their intention is to rob their way through the past, which does not make their boss happy. Meanwhile, Evil is after the map in order to become the Supreme Being himself. The result is an extraordinarily visual extravaganza that overflows with Gilliam's ecstatic vision. The film is shot from a child's viewpoint, both through the character of Kevin and the placement of the camera. One of the morals of this thoroughly enjoyable, charming fantasy is that heroes aren't always all they're cracked up to be. Fun special effects and great supporting performances abound, including terrific turns by Ian Holm, John Cleese, Ralph Richardson, and especially David Warner as Evil. [More]

Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Ian Holm, Shelley Duvall

Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Ian Holm, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond, Michael Palin, Ralph Richardson, Peter Vaughan, David Warner, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Jack Purvis, Tiny Ross, Craig Warnock, David Aaron Baker, Sheila Fearn, Jim Broadbent, John Young, Myrtle Devenish, Brian Bowes, Leon Lissek, Terence Bayler, Preston Lockwood, Charles McKeown, John Hughman, Derrick O'Connor, Neil McCarthy, Declan Mulholland, Peter Jonfield, Derek Deadman, Jerold Wells, Roger Frost, Martin Carroll, Marcus Powell, Winston Dennis, Del Baker, Juliette James, Ian Muir, Mark Holmes, Andrew MacLachlan, Chris Grant, Tony Jay, Edwin Finn

Director: Terry Gilliam

Director: Terry Gilliam
Screenwriter: Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin
Composer: George Harrison, Trevor Jones, Mike Moran
Producer: Terry Gilliam

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Mar 16, 1999

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Reviews for Time Bandits

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Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
09/22/08
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

When you can count the laughs in a comedy on the fingers of one hand, it isn't so funny.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 3 Comments
06/05/07
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
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The film is resolutely, passionately antiadult, yet much of the humor has an adult sophistication and edge to it; this is one kids' movie that doesn't condescend.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
06/05/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
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Amazingly well-produced. The historic locations are jammed with character and detail. This is the only live-action movie I've seen that literally looks like pages out of Heavy Metal magazine.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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A cheerfully irreverent lark -- part fairy tale, part science fiction and part comedy.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Perhaps the greatest characteristic attributable to Time Bandits is its sense of invention. The movie does so many things, all of them well.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
11/14/02
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
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