Time Bandits (1981)

A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writers:

Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam

Stars:

Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, John Cleese

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Intrigued by history but neglected by his parents, Kevin, an eleven-year-old schoolboy, gets the chance to make his dream come true when a band of six time-travelling dwarfs appears out of thin air in his bedroom. Having stolen the Supreme Being's one-of-a-kind map of time and space, the audacious time-bandits whisk Kevin off on an exciting journey to the depths of history, skipping from one era to another. Now, to further complicate matters, the dangerous arch-rival known as the Evil Genius is hot on their trail, bent on getting his hands on the precious map. But, who would have thought that Kevin's seemingly unexceptional room was the entrance to a mysterious wormhole and the portal to a marvellous world of adventure?

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Plot Keywords:

time travel | treasure | dwarf | satire | psychotronic film | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Terry Gilliam and Sir Michael Palin's interview on the DVD, David Rappaport was so into the character of Randall that he didn't socialize with his co-stars and kept demanding close-ups of himself.

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Goofs

After Agamemnon kills a gladiator in a duel, you can clearly see the actor still breathing heavily when Agamemnon is talking to Kevin.

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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...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits the scene where the Bandits have their photo taken is replayed.

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Alternate Versions

A version seen on US television omits the scene of the Time Bandits ramming the sleeping potion into the scalp of the giant. It cut from it stepping on the house to him becoming tired, seemingly on his own.

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Connections

Referenced in The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)

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Soundtracks

Showbiz
(uncredited)
Music by Jill Answell
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

Not only my favorite Terry Gilliam movie, but my favorite movie!

This movie is the funniest movie I have ever seen. When it was on cable, we watched it about 20 times and I have worn out two tapes of it. There are so many levels of enjoyment. The sets are great, the effects are wondrous, the storyline is wacky, the combination of veteran actors and new faces is perfection. The dialog is a riot and you will find quotes from this movie everywhere, which thrills me to death! I love all the actors that played the dwarfs, especially David Rappaport who played Randall and also loved his TV show "The Wizard" that was treated so shabbily. We often find ourselves saying, "Remember when Evil said this, and when Og said that?" Or laughly wonder what condition Pansy's boyfriend, Vincent, had that needed fruit? The Napoleon scene alone is enough to cause you to break a rib from laughter. I guarantee that if you have a funnybone at all, you will love this movie! Run, don't walk to the nearest video rental store!

Details

Official Sites:

Handmade Films Website

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Time Bandits

Filming Locations:

Lee International Studios, Kensal Road, Kensal Town, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,507,356, 8 November 1981

Gross USA:

$42,365,581

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,368,025

Company Credits

Production Co:

HandMade Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 103 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1