Time Bandits

A modern English schoolboy named Kevin (Craig Warnock) was trying to have a good's nights rest, a group of dwarfish theieves (Kenny Baker, Mike Edmonds, David Rappaport, Tiny Ross, Malcom Dixon, and Mike Edmonds) exit out of his closet and the young boy joins them on the run from the supreme being. The little theives have a special map of time and space that they stole as they travel through different times from the age of Robin Hood to the age of Titanic then they confront the forces of darkness conducted by Evil One (David Warner). A brilliant, magicial and hilarious fantasy comedy adventure from Terry Gilliam of Monty Python is the first great of Terry Gilliam's big 80's fantasy trilogy that began with this then continued with the even better "Brazil" in 1985 and ended with the underrated "Adventures of Baron Munchausen". The film does have an all-star supporting cast such as Shelly Duvall, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Michael Palin and Ralph Richardson to shine on the film. The script by Terry Gilliam and fellow Monty Python member Michael Palin is witty and the music score is superb even some of the few songs by George Harrison of "Beatles" fame whom also produced the film. The special effect are still very good even in these days of CGI and there's even a fun sense of humor that makes this a winner for everyone. This 2-Disc DVD set has brilliant picture and sound thanks to Divamax HD and some cool extras like interview with Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, The Directors retrospective on the films of Gilliam featurette, Trailers, a fold out map of the universe with liner note, Terry Gilliam Bio and DVD-Rom feature on the original screenplay, this is a must have for the fantasy collection. Also recommended: "Brazil", "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen", "The Wizard of Oz", "The Brother's Grimm", "The Dark Crystal", "Harry Potter Saga", "Lord of the Rings Trilogy", "Labyrinth", "The Neverending Story", "Pan's Labyrinth", "Krull", "Willy Wonka (Both 1971 and 2005)", "The Spiderwick Chronicles", "The Golden Compass", "City of Lost Children", "Spirited Away", "My Neighbor Totoro", "Howl's Moving Castle", "Monty Python Movie Series", "Clash of the Titans", "Heavy Metal", "Excalibur", "Big Trouble in Little China", "The Forbidden Kingdom", "Shrek Trilogy", "Willow", "The Princess Bride", "Legend", "Return to Oz", "Jabberwocky", "Castle in The Sky", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Hellboy 1 & 2", "Superman", "The Last Unicorn", "The Secret of NIMH", "The Flight of Dragons", "Watchmen", "Back to the Future Trilogy", "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", "Making Contact (a.k.a. Joey)", "Army of Darkness", "The Chronicles of Narnia 1 & 2", "Fire and Ice", "Mirrormask", "The Goonies" and "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey".

High quality disc, good price. I was concerned when I received the package, because it showed the region as "B", which would not play on a US Blu-Ray player, with a label on the shrink-wrap that indicated "Reg.A/B/C", as listed on the site. I checked it, and it is the Reg.A/B/C that works in multiple regions, including the US.

What can I say? This is my all time favorite movie! It's a perfect combination of sound, color, texture, people, places, ideas. It portrays God exactly as I would wish him to be - a somewhat thoughtless, extremely brilliant, nit-picky yet kind Englishman. It portrays the Devil as the biggest bully in the world, yet so easily destroyed. It's full of magic, mystery, and wonder. And in the end, it all rolls up into a scroll, and that's how I often think about life. I love the panning into the house in the beginning, and the panning out of the house in the end. I loved the ending - there was no ending for the boy - it was just going to an ongoing adventure, without the restrictions normally associated with growing up. He was, of course, rightly upset. But sometimes we have no choice. The movie always leaves me feeling absurdly happy, and ready for anything. It takes me out of myself. And I love the ending song - written by my favorite Beatle. So that's the extent of it. Watch it with an open mind. Enjoy it.

I saw Time Bandits when it was first released back in 1981 (went back a couple of months later and saw it again). I was entranced by the imagery (the boat `hat' and the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness), found the plot hilarious, it's been a favorite film of mine ever since. Upgrading to Blu-ray was automatic; I didn't have to think twice about it. It looks as fabulous as I remember seeing it in a theater. A delightful, madcap adventure filled with sly wit and impertinence. The story is certainly unique. A merry band of larcenous tree-making maniacs decide to go on a crime spree and drag a poor boy (Craig Warnock as Kevin) along with them. Their adventures include meeting and robbing a size obsessed Napoleon (Ian Holm) and in turn being robbed by Robin Hood (John Cleese). Depending on your sense of humor, this is all quite fun. Otherwise, it might just be a bit mystifying. One of my favorite scenes involves arm wrestling (with a slight twist). It stars one of my favorite actors (Ralph Richardson) as the Supreme Being. "Yes, well, I am the nice one." Also featured is David Warner as Evil. "I will turn you inside out for a very long period of time." Highly inventive, one of Terry Gilliam's better efforts. It's featured prominently in my collection of films.

Entertaining movie it arrived quick

One of my top five most beloved movies from my childhood, I remember Time Bandits being on HBO everyday when I'd come home from school along with a bunch of other repeat fare. It was so much fun. Read this checklist and decide if this movie is for you. Do you like... a) the fact that Napoleon actually had a Napoleon complex and a golden hand that could be unscrewed at will? b) midgets who steal maps from God and go on high-stakes treasure hunting through time doors? c) ogors with back problems in need of chiropractic? d) exceptionally snobby Robin Hoods? e) Sean Connery fighting a Minotauresque creature? f) Robin Hood's assistance punching out elderly women as they receive their wealth? g) God looking like a Fortune 500 CEO? h) The devil rambling about the need to understand "digial watches?" Then this movie is for you! I think the funniest part of the entire film is David Warner's "Evil" devil character rambling on about how God screwed up creation by omitting technology and how technology is the answer for everything. It's simply priceless! Evil: When I have the map, I will be free, and the world will be different, because I have understanding. Robert: Uh, understanding of what, Master? Evil: Digital watches. And soon I shall have understanding of video cassette recorders and car telephones. And when I have understanding of them, I shall have understanding of computers. And when I have understanding of computers, I shall be the Supreme Being! George Harrison suck out his neck to make this movie with financing and the real treat is hearing his CLASSIC tune "Dream Away" at the end of the movie during the credits. This movie is full of Monty Python boys at their best. Gilliam is a genius. A treasure of a film. Check it out!

Magic,history, little people,great story, very good film

should probably start by saying I was actually looking for this film...I remembered it from the WayBack Machine. This is a marvelous movie, although some of the imagery may be a bit disturbing (oppressive and scary) for the youngsters. I think it is definitely an adult film, but, you know, its Monty Python-like, so its a bit off kilter...its not a PG type, easy to follow or grasp film. A bit of history, irreverently posed, silly stuff, but also quite a bit about good and evil, with an appropriate to the story cameo by God. The "stars" of the film have been sent back to earth from heaven, to try again...and they have many conversations weighing this and that the way we all do...so there is some value stuff in here also. Yet the film never really takes a side on much of this. Many wacko shifts from one location/time to another, and just plain fun and silly throughout. The acting is appropriate to the film...its rather a slap-stick presentation of actually some rather interesting topics/subjects.