Time Bandits

PG

Released Nov 13, 1981

1h 50m

Fantasy

List

91%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Young history buff Kevin (Craig Warnock) can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon (Ian Holm), Robin Hood (John Cleese) and King Agamemnon (Sean Connery) before the Supreme Being catches up with them.

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Critics Consensus

Time Bandits is a remarkable time-travel fantasy from Terry Gilliam, who utilizes fantastic set design and homemade special effects to create a vivid, original universe.

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Yoh11 E

"Time Bandits" is a delightful romp through the whimsical landscapes of imagination, blending dark comedy with surprising twists that keep viewers entertained from start to finish. Directed by the visionary Terry Gilliam, this film is a testament to the power of creativity and the joy of embarking on thrilling adventures. Drawing inspiration from classics like "The Never Ending Story," "Time Bandits" introduces us to Kevin, a young boy with an extraordinary imagination reminiscent of Bastian's in the beloved childhood favorite. Kevin's vivid creativity becomes his ticket to a journey beyond his wildest dreams, as he joins a band of mischievous time-traveling dwarves on an epic quest through different dimensions. The parallels between Kevin and Bastian are striking, as both characters possess a boundless sense of wonder that propels them into extraordinary realms. Like Bastian, Kevin's adventures are fueled by his imagination, leading to encounters with eccentric characters and breathtaking landscapes. At the heart of "Time Bandits" lies its dark comedic edge, which adds depth and unpredictability to the narrative. Gilliam masterfully weaves together humor and adventure, creating a film that appeals to audiences of all ages. The blend of wit and whimsy keeps viewers engaged, while the unexpected twists ensure that the journey is never dull. The film's English sensibilities shine through, infusing the story with a distinctive charm that sets it apart from typical Hollywood fare. From the eccentric characters to the picturesque settings, "Time Bandits" offers a rich tapestry of British humor and imagination. For those with an imaginative mind and a love for adventure, "Time Bandits" is a must-watch. It's a rollicking ride through time and space, filled with laughter, excitement, and unexpected surprises. Gilliam's imaginative vision combined with the stellar performances of the cast make this film a true gem of fantasy cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Blu B

A Cult Classic Fantasy Comedy Adventure. The cinematography is really good and filled with stunning imagination, creative sets, and imncredible special effects and camerawork. The ending is super dark also and memorable and may rub some the wrong way. The pacing is really good also because you alwys are wondering what the heck is next even if it doesn't always make sense. Everything else is solid about it. The main things that hold this back is this feels like it is almost a sketch comedy rather than a cosheive adventure for better mostly but slightly for worse. This also means the music is a mashup of a bunch of different eras and doesn't go together sometimes. Also, this can be abit unhinged at times with throwing crazy stuff at you that doesn't always result in a tight meaningful plot and more for out there gags. However, that's not a bad thing for the most part because most of the humor is solid and makes up for a lack of in depth characters. The actors do a great job of making up for that and being memorable thanks to the quirky humor and charm. The dwarves do mostly blend in but are all likeable as a whole and don't really give them individual personality which is a good thing. The kid doesn't get much either but he's good as he never comes off as whiny. Overall despite it being a bit too crazy at times and a bit like a SNL skit show feel it works and the creativity and childlike wonder of it all really powers through. Anyone who is a fan of the director, any actors in this, or fantasy movies will like this a lot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

Full Review

john w

Gilliams genius shines through in this wonderful yarn, I just love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

geoffrey k

the robin hood scene makes me double over in laughter

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/23

Full Review

sean G

Loved watching this again, so funny and well made, great story , cast was great and it still looks good for an old movie . 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

I enjoyed parts, particularly meeting Robin Hood but in the end I'd descended into childish fantasy film lovers or Willow but a little more light hearted. Not the best.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/08/23

Full Review

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Terry Gilliam

Director

John Cleese

Robin Hood

Sean Connery

King Agamemnon

Shelley Duvall

Pansy

Katherine Helmond

Mrs. Ogre

Ian Holm

Napoleon

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

a funny, weird cameo-filled caper that finds value even in vice, and lets wild imagination ultimately win out over drab reality.

Aug 9, 2023

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The film lacks what Garland, Lahr, Haley, Bolger, et al, had in abundance: humanity and charm.

Oct 22, 2018

Full Review

Tasha Robinson

The Dissolve

Time Bandits is one of Gilliam's more chaotic films, which is really saying something, but his six time-bandits fill the screen with fractious energy.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 17, 2014

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Gilliam’s films tend to be either awe-inspiring or overbearing, and this one manages to dip into both columns.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

... weird, wild, and at the edge of madness.

Jun 22, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Out there in the most Gilliam sort of way, this story balances whimsy with existential depression.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 14, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Young history buff Kevin (Craig Warnock) can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they've purloined a map charting all of the holes in the fabric of time and are using it to steal treasures from different historical eras. Taking Kevin with them, they variously drop in on Napoleon (Ian Holm), Robin Hood (John Cleese) and King Agamemnon (Sean Connery) before the Supreme Being catches up with them.

Director: Terry Gilliam
Producer: George Harrison, Denis O'Brien
Screenwriter: Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin
Distributor: Criterion Collection, AVCO Embassy Pictures
Production Co: Handmade Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2016
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1), 35mm, Flat (1.66:1)

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