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    Time Bandits

    • 19811981
    • PGPG
    • 1h 50min
    IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    60K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,905
    1,473
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Ian Muir in Time Bandits (1981)
    Trailer For Time Bandits
    Play trailer3:09
    2 Videos
    99+ Photos
    AdventureComedyFantasy

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

    IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    60K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,905
    1,473
    • Director
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Writers
      • Michael Palin
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Stars
      • Sean Connery
      • Shelley Duvall
      • John Cleese
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Writers
      • Michael Palin
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Stars
      • Sean Connery
      • Shelley Duvall
      • John Cleese
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 209User reviews
    • 158Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 8 nominations

    Videos2

    Time Bandits
    Trailer 3:09
    Time Bandits
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 8
    Video 29:51
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 8

    Photos175

    Shelley Duvall and Michael Palin in Time Bandits (1981)
    Katherine Helmond and Peter Vaughan in Time Bandits (1981)
    Malcolm Dixon in Time Bandits (1981)
    Mike Edmonds in Time Bandits (1981)
    Tiny Ross in Time Bandits (1981)
    Jack Purvis in Time Bandits (1981)
    David Warner in Time Bandits (1981)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Time Bandits (1981)
    Ian Muir in Time Bandits (1981)
    Ian Muir in Time Bandits (1981)
    Ian Muir in Time Bandits (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • King Agamemnonas King Agamemnon…
    Shelley Duvall
    Shelley Duvall
    • Dame Pansyas Dame Pansy…
    John Cleese
    John Cleese
    • Robin Hoodas Robin Hood
    Katherine Helmond
    Katherine Helmond
    • Mrs. Ogreas Mrs. Ogre
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Napoleonas Napoleon
    Michael Palin
    Michael Palin
    • Vincentas Vincent
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Supreme Beingas Supreme Being
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Winston the Ogreas Winston the Ogre
    David Warner
    David Warner
    • Evil Geniusas Evil Genius
    David Rappaport
    David Rappaport
    • Randallas Randall
    Kenny Baker
    Kenny Baker
    • Fidgitas Fidgit
    Malcolm Dixon
    Malcolm Dixon
    • Strutteras Strutter
    Mike Edmonds
    Mike Edmonds
    • Ogas Og
    Jack Purvis
    Jack Purvis
    • Wallyas Wally
    Tiny Ross
    Tiny Ross
    • Verminas Vermin
    Craig Warnock
    • Kevinas Kevin
    David Daker
    David Daker
    • Kevin's Fatheras Kevin's Father
    Sheila Fearn
    • Kevin's Motheras Kevin's Mother
    • Director
      • Terry Gilliam
    • Writers
      • Michael Palin
      • Terry Gilliam
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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? —Nick Riganas
    time traveldwarfnapoleonalternate dimensionnapoleon bonaparte character79 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • All the dreams you've ever had and not just the good ones
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Fantasy
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the original script, King Agamemnon was introduced as: "The warrior took off his helmet, revealing someone that looks exactly like Sean Connery, or an actor of equal but cheaper stature." To writer, producer, and director Terry Gilliam's surprise, the script ended up in Connery's hands. He expressed interest in the part, and his agent approached them for the role.
    • Goofs
      Numerous inaccuracies in the "historical" scenes. The film means to depict history as visualized by a well-read 11-year-old, not a formally trained historian. This is consistent with the theme of whimsical, casual time travel wherein history is deliberately contaminated.
    • Quotes

      Evil: God isn't interested in technology. He cares nothing for the microchip or the silicon revolution. Look how he spends his time, forty-three species of parrots! Nipples for men!

      Robert: Slugs.

      Evil: Slugs! HE created slugs! They can't hear. They can't speak. They can't operate machinery. Are we not in the hands of a lunatic?

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of the credits the scene where the Bandits have their photo taken is replayed.
    • Alternate versions
      At least one version shown on US television cut the sequence of the knight bursting out of Kevin's closet and much of what came after that (Kevin's Dad telling him to keep the noise down, breakfast the following morning, etc.) This truncated version goes right from Kevin getting into bed to the Time Bandits emerging from the closet, but retains the rattling closet doors that announced the knight's arrival.
    • Connections
      Edited from A Night to Remember (1958)
    • Soundtracks
      Me And My Shadow
      Arranged by John Du Prez

      Composed by Billy Rose (as Rose), Al Jolson (as Jolson), and Dave Dreyer (as Dreyer)

      Published by Francis Day & Hunter

      Performed by David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Jack Purvis, and Tiny Ross

    User reviews209

    Review
    Top review
    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.
    helpful•41
    8
    • JerryP-2
    • Jun 28, 1999

    FAQ3

    • Was Kevin experience real or did he dream it?
    • [1:21:41]Why did Evil (David Warner) trap the dwarves in cages instead of just destroying them?
    • What is the map for? What's its purpose?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 6, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • HandMade Films (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Razbojniki za vse čase
    • Filming locations
      • Raglan Castle, Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK
    • Production company
      • HandMade Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $42,365,581
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,507,356
      • Nov 8, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $42,368,025
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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