We don't really learn much about the making of the film, just about what went wrong.
Thomas Schuhly is just impossible. He was the main reason why the film went through a nightmarish production. He wouldn't get along with the English crew, according to Terry Gilliam.
Why wouldn't the German Schuhly get along with the English crew:
Well in Thomas' words:
"I became the bad guy. Because I am German and I have to play this game."
Wow.
I know that the stereotype for movie producers is that they're horrible nasty people. And the truth is not very far from the fiction. As Eric Idle says, he left show biz because it's full of horrible, greedy, nasty liars.
"It's a horrible business, people, STAY AWAY!" he warns the audience.
Idle also said that going to boarding school and the filming of this movie were traumatic experiences.
Sarah Polley said that she was afraid every day and didn't care much if the film got made or not. "I just really wanted to go home." Poor thing was 8 when this film was made.
The rest of the crew talk about the nightmare of working with Schuhly. He refused to sign forms. And when he did finally sign them, he tippexed all the dates out.
A plane that had all the costumes to go to the location at Spain was stuck at an airport due to strike. The costumes needed to be there in time for the day of filming.
Michael Palin was going to play the King of the Moon, but Eric Idle suggested Robin Walliams. RIP, mate.
They mention that despite all the arguments and chaos, the filmmakers couldn't believe how well the film turned out.
Terry explains that the film's failure at the box office is the perfect ending to this terrible production.
"The film went through a nightmare and it crashed at the box office."
But despite the nightmare of filming this movie, it has found it's audience and is considered to be one of Terry's best right next to Brazil, Time Bandits and Twelve Monkeys.
At the end of the doc, you feel happy that the cast and crew finally got their film made, despite going through HELL to get it made.
An average doc, if you're expecting to hear any behind the scenes info, you won't find it here.
But then the chaotic production is the making of this film.
