44 years ago, little Tim got to see a hilarious movies in theaters… Time Bandits (1981). Now, as head of Cocktails and Movies, he still finds it a delightfully eccentric and whimsical journey through history that only grows richer—and funnier—with age.
🥃🥃🥃🥃 Premium Pour – Highly Recommended
From the Mind Behind Brazil Comes… Time Bandits: A Time-Traveling Adventure Like No Other
After making waves with his Monty Python collaborations, director Terry Gilliam delivered Time Bandits, a wildly inventive comedy-fantasy that broke the mold. Not just a children’s film, Time Bandits is an anarchic romp through time itself, brimming with absurd humor, philosophical musings, and wonderfully bizarre set pieces.
It’s a movie that dares to be weird, reveling in the joy of the unexpected. Decades later, it continues to enchant audiences with its creativity and sheer audacity.
The Plot (Hold On Tight):
Kevin (Craig Warnock) is an imaginative 11-year-old whose ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when six dwarfs, posing as “international criminals,” burst into his bedroom, armed with a stolen cosmic map detailing hidden time portals. Former workers for the Supreme Being, they’re now rogue adventurers seeking treasure across history.
Their escapades hurtle them into chaotic encounters with historical figures: Napoleon (Ian Holm), who’s obsessed with his stature; Robin Hood (John Cleese), charmingly ridiculous; and King Agamemnon (Sean Connery), noble and paternal. All the while, they’re pursued by a mysterious menacing head insisting they return the map and the sinister force of Evil (David Warner), intent on obtaining the map and rewriting reality.
The movie bounces joyously from era to era, from medieval England to mythical Greece, each stop bringing more chaos, humor, and surprising insights about morality and authority.
The Cast is a Marvelous Mash-up:
- Craig Warnock – earnest and curious, anchoring the madness with heartfelt sincerity.
- David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Jack Purvis, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Tiny Ross – perfectly chaotic as the time-traveling dwarfs.
- Sean Connery – warm, charismatic, and dignified.
- John Cleese – hilariously irreverent as Robin Hood.
- Ian Holm – memorably neurotic as Napoleon.
- David Warner – chillingly charming as Evil.
- Shelley Duvall, Michael Palin, Ralph Richardson – each bringing delightful eccentricities.
Critics Weren’t Sure. Audiences Loved It.
Initially, critics were divided. Roger Ebert praised its production and imagination, though he found some comedic timing lacking. Nevertheless, audiences embraced its distinctively quirky style, quickly turning it into a beloved cult classic. Over the decades, Time Bandits solidified its legacy, earning a respected place in The Criterion Collection.
Why It’s a DVDeep Cut Favorite:
Time Bandits earns its spot as a Cocktails and Movies DVDeep Cut because it’s exactly the kind of ambitious, offbeat, and endlessly rewatchable movie we champion. It thrives on originality, unabashedly mixing humor with thought-provoking satire.
Gilliam’s inventive practical effects and rich visual storytelling remain astonishingly vibrant, a refreshing antidote to today’s CGI-dominated cinema. The film navigates seamlessly between slapstick comedy and deeper philosophical questions, creating layers of enjoyment that unfold with every viewing.
Cocktails and Movies Bottom Line:
Time Bandits is a bold, hilarious, and surprisingly profound dive into fantasy and history, offering endless entertainment and thoughtful reflection in equal measure.
Watch it. Revisit it. Share it. Currently you are able to watch “Time Bandits” streaming on Max, Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, TCM Amazon Channel.
This one’s for adventurers who love their cocktails shaken, stirred, and served with a twist of the unexpected.
