Time Bandits Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid joins a vertically challenged gang to steal from history, encountering tech-obsessed Satan, only to have his parents explode in the end because of a toaster oven.

🍿 Time Bandits: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Kevin and the Time Bandits

Kevin, a young boy fascinated by history but neglected by his parents, is visited by a knight who emerges from his closet. The following night, a group of six dwarfs, the Time Bandits, appears, fleeing from the Supreme Being. They possess a stolen map that charts holes in the fabric of time, allowing them to travel through history.

Historical Adventures

Kevin joins the Time Bandits on their journey through various historical periods. They encounter Napoleon in Italy, Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest, and King Agamemnon in ancient Greece. In each era, the dwarfs attempt to steal treasure, often with comedic and chaotic results. These encounters are often satirical takes on historical events and figures.

The Evil Genius

The Evil Genius, a malevolent being seeking to control the universe, pursues the Time Bandits and their map. He resides in the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness and uses his powers to manipulate their journey, hoping to obtain the map and reshape the universe to his liking. His obsession with technology contrasts with the historical settings the group visits.

The Time of Legends

The Time Bandits’ quest for treasure leads them to the Time of Legends, a fantastical realm filled with mythical creatures. They encounter giants and other strange beings, facing increasing danger as they approach the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness. This section blends historical adventure with pure fantasy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kevin (Craig Warnock): A neglected young boy who joins a group of time-traveling dwarves on a series of adventures through history.
• Randall (David Rappaport): The arrogant leader of the time-traveling dwarves who steals a map of the universe for personal gain.
• Evil Genius (David Warner): The malevolent sorcerer who seeks the map of the universe to reshape reality to his liking.
• Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson): The creator of the universe who allows the dwarves to steal the map as part of a larger plan to test good and evil.
• King Agamemnon (Sean Connery): A noble and fatherly king in ancient Greece who befriends Kevin and offers him a place in his court.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Evil: “Oh, Benson… Dear Benson, you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence.” – Evil says this to his henchman, Benson, highlighting Benson’s simple-mindedness and Evil’s condescending attitude.
• Evil: “If I were creating a world, I wouldn’t mess about with butterflies and daffodils. I would have started with lasers, eight o’clock, day one!” – Evil expresses his desire to create a world based on technology and power, rather than nature.
• Randall: “Heroes? What do they know about an honest day’s work?” – Randall says this dismissively, showing the bandits’ cynical view of traditional heroic figures.
• Supreme Being: “I am the Supreme Being. I am not short of time.” – The Supreme Being says this in a bored tone when Kevin asks him questions after defeating Evil.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,365,581
• Worldwide Gross: $42,368,025

💥 Time Bandits Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Time Bandits’ as a kid, and it blew my mind! The time-traveling dwarfs, the random historical figures, and the bizarre visuals were unlike anything I’d ever seen. Seeing Sean Connery as King Agamemnon was just *chef’s kiss*. The ending messed me up, to be honest, but it also made the movie unforgettable. Watching it again now, I appreciate the dark humor and the underlying message about imagination and consumerism.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Terry Gilliam’s films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark humor and fantasy adventure”
  • “Those interested in time travel stories with a satirical edge”
  • “People who appreciate unique and imaginative filmmaking”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence and fantasy violence”
  • “Some disturbing images”
  • “Thematic elements involving good and evil”
  • “Parental death”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Gilliam’s signature visual flair is present, but the story often feels disjointed, relying too heavily on quirky set pieces rather than a cohesive narrative. The performances are strong, but the film struggles to find a consistent tone.
• The New York Times: “A wildly imaginative and visually stunning adventure, ‘Time Bandits’ is a treat for those who appreciate Gilliam’s unique blend of fantasy, humor, and social commentary. While it may be too dark for very young viewers, it offers a thought-provoking experience.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘Time Bandits’ is a trip. It lacks a certain coherence, perhaps, but it makes up for it with sheer imagination and a willingness to take risks. The ending, while unsettling, is a bold statement about the nature of good and evil.

Audience Reactions

The creativity and imagination on display are mind-blowing.: Viewers love the film’s imaginative storytelling, blending fantasy, adventure, and dark humor in a unique way.

The cameos from well-known actors are hilarious and add to the film’s charm.: The cast performances, particularly Sean Connery and John Cleese, are widely praised for their comedic timing and memorable character portrayals.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and imaginative adventure that, while sometimes disjointed, offers a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Fantasy Film)- 1982

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sean Connery wasn’t originally intended to play King Agamemnon; Terry Gilliam wrote in the script that Agamemnon should look ‘exactly like Sean Connery’ as a joke. Connery loved the script and asked to be cast.”
• “During the Invisible Barrier scene, when the other bandits retaliate against Randall, the actors were expressing their frustrations with David Rappaport, who kept to himself and didn’t socialize with his co-stars due to his belief that he was cast solely based on his acting ability, not his size.”
• “Terry Gilliam shot the film from low camera angles throughout to give the audience the perspective of a dwarf or a child.”

🖥️ How to Watch Time Bandits?

Time Bandits is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check local listings for television availability. Unfortunately this movie is not available on subscription based platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Time Bandits, you might like these similar films:

• The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988): Directed by Terry Gilliam, it shares a similar whimsical style, fantastical elements, and a focus on imagination and adventure.
• Labyrinth (1986): Another 80s fantasy film featuring a young protagonist on a surreal adventure in a fantastical world filled with strange creatures and challenges.
• Brazil (1985): Another Terry Gilliam film. Shares a dystopian future with social commentary on technology and bureaucracy.
• Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022): Features a reality-bending plot with multiverse-hopping and absurdist humor, appealing to fans of unconventional narratives.

🛒 Time Bandits Related Products

• Time Bandits (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A restored high-definition digital transfer, offering enhanced picture and sound quality. Includes special features like interviews with Terry Gilliam and the cast.
• Time Bandits Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster. Great for decorating a home theater or adding to a movie memorabilia collection.
• Time Bandits T-Shirt: Officially licensed T-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the film, such as the time map or the main characters. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Mythical Maze: Adventure Gamebook: An adventure gamebook in which a boy who dreams of mythical heroes wakes up one night to find his bedroom is part of a maze filled with characters and stories that his dreams were based on. Inspired by the film Time Bandits.

🎧 Soundtrack

Time Bandits features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dream Away” – performed by George Harrison
• “Me And My Shadow” – performed by David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Jack Purvis, and Tiny Ross

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Things You Didn’t Know About TimeBandits

Ever wondered about some quirky behind-the-scenes secrets of ‘Time Bandits’? This video spills the beans on 10 fascinating facts that will totally change how you see the movie – I never knew some of this stuff!

Don’t touch

The ending of Time Bandits always felt a little ambiguous to me… What was the real message? This video offers an interpretation of the ‘Don’t touch it’ scene that actually makes a lot of sense!

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