Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Time Bandits Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 19, 2013

Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; exclusive new video interviews with director Terry Gilliam, co-scenarist and actor Michael Palin, optical effects specialist Kent Houston, actor David Warner, costume designer James Acheson, production designer Milly Burns; restoration demonstration; and more. The release also arrives with a collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The gang

What makes Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits a special film is the fact that it is completely unpredictable. You feel right from the get-go that it could end up anywhere, that anything could happen in it. It is the type of film that really does take you on a journey and you allow it to convince you that everything that happens in it is possible -- at least until the final credits roll. Gilliam has directed several such films, but Time Bandits is one of his best.

The journey begins in 11-year-old Kevin’s (Craig Warnock) bedroom when a horseman from another dimension gallops through his wardrobe and then disappears without a trace. On the following night, Kevin is joined by six dwarfs (led by the terrific David Rappaport) with a very special map that shows them how to time travel. From his room, they open up a giant hole and head to a different dimension, with Kevin right behind them. While moving through time, the dwarfs steal whatever they like and try to have a good time.

Eventually, however, the owner of the map, the Supreme Being, appears and warns the dwarfs to return it. They ignore him and continue their cosmic journey until the powerful Evil (David Warner, The Omen) also becomes interested in their precious possession. Not realizing that they are closely watched from above, the dwarfs foolishly enter Evil’s dark castle.

The film is shot in a manner that makes it easy to enjoy by children and adults. On one hand, Gilliam arranges for Kevin and the dwarfs to meet the likes of Robin Hood (truly fantastic John Cleese), Napoleon (Ian Holm, The Sweet Hereafter) and King Agamemnon of ancient Greece (Sean Connery) in a series of hilarious episodes in which he effectively brushes aside all sorts of popular beliefs. On the other hand, the film also successfully introduces some surprisingly serious observations about technology and the role it could play in the future. (Considering the fact that Time Bandits was completed in 1981, it is surprising to see how appropriate many of these observations were).

The cast is fantastic, but it is the emphasis on detail and the outstanding designs that truly leave a lasting impression. As is the case with Brazil, Gilliam’s imagination runs wild, and many of the film’s most dramatic sequences have to be seen to believed. The final third in particular, where Kevin and the dwarfs enter Evil’s castle, is quite spectacular. The use of light, shadow, and a variety of different colors to create a unique futuristic Gothic environment is very effective.

Time Bandits was lensed by cinematographer Peter Biziou (Alan Parker’s Pink Floyd The Wall, Jim Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father).

The film’s wonderful soundtrack was created by Mike Moran, who co-wrote the legendary duet Barcelona. Freddie Mercury and the great Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballe recorded the song for the 1992 Olympics opening ceremony.

In 1982, Time Bandits earned five Saturn Awards nominations, including Best International Film, Best Director, and Best Special Effects (Jon Bunker).

Time Bandits Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.83:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video.

The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray release:

"The original 35mm Time Bandits negative was scanned at 2K resolution on a pin-registered ARRISCAN, and the film was fully graded using the Nucoda Film Master color grading system. Restoration work was carried out using a combination of software tools and techniques. Thousands of instances of dirt, scratches, and debris were carefully removed frame by frame. Damaged frames were repaired, and density and stability issues were significantly improved. The soundtrack was transferred from the original magnetic tracks and underwent audio restoration to repair bumps, clicks and other instances of audible damage.

Director and co-writer Terry Gilliam has approved the restoration.

Film Restoration Supervisor: James White.
Film Restoration by Deluxe Production: Mark Bonnici, Graham Jones, Paul Collard.
Datacine Colorist: Stephen Berman."

The new high-definition transfer is excellent. During close-ups as well as during larger panoramic shots image depth is very good. Clarity is also dramatically improved during the darker sequences (see screencapture #5). The various sharpening adjustments and halo effects visible on previous Blu-ray releases of the film are also eliminated. Color reproduction is very pleasing - there is a wide range of very healthy browns, blues, reds, grays, and blacks. Because of the improved color stability, the film now looks a lot more vibrant. Grain is very well resolved and evenly distributed throughout the entire film. Finally, there are no serious stability issue to report in this review. All in all, I think it is fair to say that this is indeed the very best Terry Gilliam's film has ever looked. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Time Bandits Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Arrow Video have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

I did a number of different comparisons between the two tracks and I have to say that I prefer the LPCM 2.0 track. It is better balanced and dynamic intensity is better controlled. On the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track there are various dynamic spikes that try to open up the film more than I feel is appropriate. Opinions will like vary, but I encourage you to do some comparisons on your own and see which lossless track you prefer. For the record, the dialog is very crisp, clean, stable, and easy to follow. Also, there are no audio dropouts or distortions to report in this review.

Time Bandits Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original trailer for Time Bandits. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Chasing Time Bandits - in this new video interview, director Terry Gilliam recalls how Time Bandits came to exist and discusses some of the logistical obstacles that had to be overcome. Terry Gilliam also recalls a very interesting and very important screening of Time Bandits in Fresno, California, which determined the faith of his film. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Writing the Film That Dares Not Speak Its Name - in this new video interview, co-scenarist and actor Michael Palin (who plays Vincent) recalls his first impression of Time Bandits as a future project and discusses Terry Gilliam's directing style. Michael Palin also addresses the special effects and unique look of Time Bandits. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• The Effects of Time Bandits - in this new video interview, Kent Houston, founder of the Peerless Camera Company, discusses the various optical effects in Time Bandits. (The technical comments about the optical printer that was used during the production process are particularly interesting). In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Playing Evil - in this new video interview, David Warner recalls how he was approached to play the character of Evil in Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits. The actor also discusses the visual style of the film. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• The Costumes of Time Bandits - in this new video interview, costume designer James Acheson shows some of the original designs for the costumes he created for the dwarfs in Time Bandits, and discusses the research that was required for the different period clothes seen in the film. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• The Look of Time Bandits - in this new video interview, production designer Milly Burns recalls her first encounter with Terry Gilliam and explains how she was able to make the director's ideas come to life. Milly Burns also remembers her trip with Terry Gilliam to Morocco where parts of Time Bandits were shot. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• From Script to Screen - in this new animated featurette, Milly Burns explains how key sequences from Time Bandits were shot. Also included are various photographs from Morocco, sketches, notes, and storyboards (the best of which are for the fight sequences). In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Restoration Demonstration - this featurette focuses on Arrow Video's new 2K restoration of Time Bandits. Various comparisons are included. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Booklet - collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver.

• Cover art - reversible cover with the original poster art.

Time Bandits Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Featuring a brand new 2K restoration of the film approved by director Terry Gilliam and an excellent selection of new and exclusive supplemental features, Arrow Video's new Blu-ray release of Time Bandits will likely remain the definitive home video release of this very entertaining film. Indeed, when a company cares it is very, very easy to tell. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.