Time Bandits

Time Bandits

This movie came out in 1981, and as a child I used to watch it all the time on HBO. There were many scenes that frightened me at that age. Looking at the movie today, I still can’t believe how sinister the film really is. Don’t get me wrong; there are some funny scenes in this movie, but the ending is just mean.

The story is about a group of little people stealing a time map from God in search of treasure. They run into a little kid from England and take him along for the ride. What we get is a funny and dark time-traveling adventure. My personal favorite is the entire John Cleese scene with Cleese playing Robin Hood. Other people worth noting in this film are Ian Holm, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall and David Warner. Like I stated before, the movie has a lot of dark humor and violence, but then again this was the 80s and there weren’t as many family organizations back then to protest. In the end, the movie has witty lines of dialogue and an interesting script.

Grade B

~Any movie that has its main villain blowing up a dog is cool in my book

~The old leader of the Time Bandits is mention during the film. His name was Horseflesh, and he died before the story begins. Most of his scenes were cut from the final film, but he is in the movie in a non-speaking role.

~The funniest scene in the movie has Robin Hood taking the Time Bandits’ treasure and giving it to the poor. The poor folks line up and are handed a piece of the treasure, then Redgrave punches each poor person in the face! Robin Hood says,

Robin Hood: Here we are, madam. Congratulations. Well done. Congratulations.
[Redgrave belts the lady]
Robin Hood: Is that absolutely necessary?
Redgrave: [Gibberish]
Robin Hood: What did he say?
Marion: He said yes, he's afraid it is.
Robin Hood: Ah, fine.

Note: Here's a review of the Unused Time Bandits II script.