Jabberwocky (1977)

A young peasant, with no interest in adventure or fortune, is mistaken as the kingdom's only hope when a horrible monster threatens the countryside.

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writers:

Lewis Carroll (poem), Charles Alverson (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Palin	...	Dennis Cooper
Harry H. Corbett	...	The Squire
John Le Mesurier	...	The Chamberlain
Warren Mitchell	...	Mr. Fishfinger
Max Wall	...	King Bruno the Questionable
Rodney Bewes	...	The Other Squire
John Bird	...	1st Herald
Bernard Bresslaw	...	The Landlord
Antony Carrick	...	3rd Merchant (as Anthony Carrick)
Peter Cellier	...	1st Merchant
Deborah Fallender	...	The Princess
Derek Francis	...	Bishop
Terry Gilliam	...	Man with Rock
Neil Innes	...	2nd Herald
Terry Jones	...	Poacher

Storyline

After the death of his father the young cooper 'Dennis Cooper' goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. The town and the whole kingdom is threatened by a terrible monster called 'Jabberwocky'. Will Dennis make his fortune? Is anyone brave enough to defeat the monster? A medieval tale with Pythonesque humour.

---

Plot Keywords:

monster | kingdom | forest | shield | castle | 

---

Taglines:

Jabberwocky: the monster so horrible that people caught the plague to avoid it

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aventuras em Terras do Rei Bruno, o Discutível

Filming Locations:

Bosherton Quarry, Bosherston, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Python Films, Umbrella Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To lend a more realistic bird-like look to the Jabberwock's leg movements, the monster costume was designed so that actor Peter Salmon had to wear it backwards. The fight between the Jabberwock and the Black Knight was choreographed differently than what we see, but Salmon slipped and fell, and director Terry Gilliam decided this looked so natural that he edited the fight sequence to include the fall.

---

Goofs

In the Princess' nude scene, she obviously has modern tan lines.

---

Quotes

Dennis: Dennis is hiding in a shadowy alcove removing his nun disguise. As he is illuminated by torchlight he looks back over his shoulder...
Religious Fanatic #1: Look! It's a nun in the guise of the Devil!
Religious Fanatic #2: No! It's the Devil in the guise of a nun!
Religious Fanatic #3: Get her!
Religious Fanatic #4: Get him!
Religious Fanatic #5: GET THEM BOTH!

---

Crazy Credits

"All characters portrayed in this film are entirely fictitious and bare no resemblance to anyone living or dead, except for one."

---

Connections

Featured in The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 (1979)

---

Soundtracks

"It's Percussion"
Music by John Hawksworth

User Reviews

It'll turn your teeth, snow white!

This film makes me laugh with every viewing. The extreme attention to detail of hygene and costumes is excellent. I have it on DVD and it's the only way to see it. Listen to Terry Gilliam's commentary with Michael Palin and it gives you a whole new outlook to the hardships of making these kinds of movies. And it tells you about some of the short cuts they used and they still are displeased with to this day. Gilliam's "Diamond Man" steals both scenes he's in. This is a forgotten movie. I don't know too many people who remember it, but everyone I've told to rent it, have told me they really liked it. It's not a Python movie, but it's got the Python humour and a couple of Python cameos. Look for them. It's a very funny movie and it's a blast to watch. A real gem from Gilliam and company.