DVD
Review | Time Bandits
Written by: Kage
Alan
My parents took me to see this when it was
released in theatres back in 1981 and I can’t help but wonder how
much, if any, it influenced me creatively. As an adult looking back
at it, there’s no denying that “Time Bandits” can very easily be
described as a dream. The bizarre chain of events, dialogue and
ending all add up to one’s subconscious having a grand old time after
dinner and before getting up for work the next morning. In this way,
I utterly and completely respect Director Terry Gilliam for being able
to get this made.
Young Kevin (Craig Warnock) leads a
less-than-perfect life. While his parents take care of his
materialistic needs, they are too wrapped up in what they don’t have
that their neighbors do to take much notice of him. Fortunately, Kevin
spends his time immersing himself in history and his own imagination, so
it’s no surprise that something unusual and fantastic happens. Kevin
decides a little preparation is in order after witnessing a knight come
crashing through his closet door and disappearing into his bedroom
wall. That’s not exactly an everyday occurrence. What appears next, or
rather who, is a complete surprise.
A group of disgruntled little people have decided
to steal the map of time and space from the Supreme Being (Ralph
Richardson) and go on a looting spree. They travel through time in
search of whatever will make them rich, only they don’t expect to be
taking on another partner, Kevin. He willingly goes with the motley
group as they enter the days of the charming and slightly twisted Robin
Hood (John Cleese), the delightfully bizarre Napoleon (Ian Holm),
perfect would-be parent Adamemnon (Sean Connery)…all the way into a trap
set by Evil Genius (David Warner). It’s a showdown with evil, only who
will win, who will survive and will any of it really matter in the end?
Ironically, not as much as you’d think.
Judged against typical Hollywood films today, the
effects don’t really hold up, the story slows down a few too many times
and it’s difficult to know where the heck this film is going. And the
end? Nope, not satisfying. However, when was the last time your dreams
had state-of-the-art special effects or an ending that was completely
satisfying? For that matter, when was the last time your dream had an
ending at all? Dreams just stop and that’s what happens here. So what
happens to poor Kevin? Undoubtedly, he’ll wake up and have to deal with
parents who don’t pay enough attention to him, though they’ll be
different than portrayed in the dream. Be sure to watch for things in
Kevin’s room that appear throughout the film to suggest it’s a dream.
“Time Bandits” has been given a proper release by
Anchor Bay and in its original Widescreen format. Video quality is as
good as I’ve ever seen it. There is still some grain present, but it’s
not overly distracting. Audio is fairly solid insomuch as a film from
this era can be. Right, now the important stuff. Extras here are found
on the second disc and include a wonderfully lighthearted and
conversational “Interview with Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam” (27 ¼
min), “The Directors: The Films of Terry Gilliam” (58 ½ min), 2
trailers, a Terry Gilliam bio and the screenplay for “Time Bandits.”
Another important aspect of this film not to be
overlooked is the use of the (and I’m not sure what the politically
correct term is here) smaller people. This film and “Under the Rainbow”
(which I haven’t seen in years) come to mind when I think of films that
prominently feature this very talented pool of actors. What better film
to be featured in than one under the direction and imagination of Terry
Gilliam? Oddly enough, there probably could be a sequel to this, only
it would come from the mind of an adult version of Kevin. One never
knows.
Film Rating:
B+
DVD Special Features: B+
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