Product Description

Who are the Time Bandits? Where do they come from and how much do they cost? They are timeless yet always late; immortal; yet destructible; capable of intergalactic, inter-cosmic travel, yet unable to tie their own shoelaces. Six cheeky dwarves steal a precious map showing a series of time holes scattered across the universe enabling them to travel back in time. Whilst visiting the past, they cause havoc and rob famous historical figures of their riches in the process. Watching from afar is the Evil Genius, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on their map for his own evil purpose. With 11 year old Kevin in tow, a great time travelling adventure ensues, full of superb make believe characters and very famous faces! Audio Commentary from Director Terry Gilliam, Co-Writer/Actor Michael Palin and Actors John Cleese, David Warner and Craig Warnock Biographies: Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, David Rappaport and Sean Connery Trailer Film Notes Dream Facts Production Photo Gallery Missing Story Board Scene Story Board Extracts Interview with Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin Scrapbook Hidden Spiderwoman Story Board and Photo with Script Original Treatment Chris Kellys 1981 Clapperboard Interview with Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12288 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-08-14
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 111 minutes

Customer Reviews

25 not out
The story for time bandits is typical Terry Gilliam inspired lunacy, a boy who is totally ignored by his materialistic parents finds himself being dragged along by a gaggle of dwarves who have pinched the supreme beings,(a splendid Ralph Richardson), plans. they are then pursued both by him and the evil one,( a similarly excellent David Warner), through time portals that lead to a very pythonesque sherwood forest scene, the titanic, a beautifully realised fantasy land complete with giants and ogres and a land of mythology where a scene stealing Sean Connery plays Agamemnon.
As usual Gilliam coaxes the last drop of acting expertise from all involved, the humour is plentiful but very two edged and there is a subtext as deep as you care to delve.
The story rattles along for the most part but there are one or two scenes that could do with a gentle push in the right direction as the humour and pace slack. these though are rare and as anyone who remembers his python contributions or who has seen his films will know,Gilliam really knows how to visualize the incredible and so, even 25 years later, you are left with images of a knight on horseback charging from a childs wardrobe, 6 dwarves and a child dangling from a cage over infinite nothingness, a giant with a sailing ship on its head and so on and so on.
A quarter of a century has not dulled this films sharp edge nor left it without its ability to shock,tickle or astound. it can be enjoyed straight up as a grown up childs adventure story or you can happily chew over its subtext, either way there is much to enjoy.

Fabulous, if you aren't deaf
Time Bandits is a magnificent ensemble piece by a visual genius. This double disc has a variety of extras on the second disc, and an informative and funny commentary for the main feature. These make it worth the extra money,

What it doesn't have, and what I've deducted a star for not having, is any subtitles. What on earth is the excuse for missing those?

Time Bandits 25th anniversary edition
Terry Gilliam's film is an amazing fantasy romp through a comic book version of history and a comment on life, media, consumerism and technology of the early eighties. Kevin is a lonely boy, living with his disinterested TV and microwave oven addicted parents. When The great and sadly missed Dave rappaport and crew crash into his life and bedroom an adventure takes him to meet among others Napoleon, Robin hood and Agamemnon. Cameo appearances from Ralph Richardson, Sean Connery and Shelley Duvall (with co author Michael Palin)are very good and charmingly out of place. The film is perhaps a little too long but highly original and very much a real life version of Gilliam's animations from his "Python" days. The extras are interesting too, I ilke the storyboards of scenes that never made it to the cinema release. I would recommend this one as a rare piece of entertainment (to use the dreaded cliche!)for the whole family with only a few scary bits for the under 10's to hide behind the cushions for a brief moment. The visual effects are at times amazing!