Time Bandits: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review – Starring John Cleese, Sean Connery, And Shelley Duvall

Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] is an incredible movie that has stood the test of time. Directed by Terry Gilliam, this classic comedy features an all-star cast including John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, and a host of others. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray edition of Time Bandits is an excellent addition to any home video library. The picture quality is superb and the bonus content is plentiful. The film itself remains as funny and relevant today as it was in 1981.

The story follows 11-year-old Kevin (Craig Warnock) as he embarks on a wild adventure with six dwarves who are using a magical map to hop through time and space for their own personal gain. Along the way they meet up with some historical figures, battle evil forces, and even come face to face with God himself! It’s a fun romp that never takes itself too seriously, but still manages to have something meaningful to say about our place in the world.

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Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] Review

Time Bandits: The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray)

Explore the wildest reaches of imagination with Time Bandits, Terry Gilliam’s beloved cult-classic fantasy adventure. After eleven-year-old Kevin (Craig Warnock) discovers a time-traveling portal in his bedroom closet, he finds himself on a fantastical journey through time and space, alongside six dwarfs who have stolen a map of the universe’s secret passages from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson). Armed with an array of mysterious objects they’ve pilfered along the way, they plunge into one surreal encounter after another – from Napoleon Bonaparte (Ian Holm) to Robin Hood (John Cleese). Featuring an all-star cast, including Sean Connery as Agamemnon and Michael Palin as Vincent, Time Bandits is an eye-poppingly gorgeous film full of wit and clever invention.

Key Features:

New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Terry Gilliam and supervised by cinematographer Peter Biziou, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-Ray edition

Introduction by Gilliam from 2002

Audio commentary featuring Gilliam and co-writer Michael Palin from 2001

New interview with actor Craig Warnock

New program about the production’s visual effects featuring members of Industrial Light & Magic

New program about composer/songwriter George Harrison featuring longtime friend Deepak Chopra

“The Effects of Time Bandits,” a 1989 featurette about the film’s special effects

“The Monsterian Chronicles,” an animated storybook based on an unpublished story by Gilliam and Palin

“The Costumes of Time Bandits,” a 2003 featurette

“Lost scenes” from 2001

“Trailer from 1981

“Behind the scenes” photo gallery

“Still frame galleries” for every scene in the movie

“Original storyboard galleries” for every scene in the movie Plus: An essay by critic David Sterritt

Embark on a unique adventure like no other with Time Bandits: The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray), now available for purchase! From Academy Award® winner Terry Gilliam comes this delightful comedy inspired by childhood dreams and fantasies. Follow 11 year old Kevin (Craig Warnock) who discovers a magical doorway that leads him to different times and places. Along with six mischievous dwarves, Kevin goes on a thrilling journey across history in search of hidden treasure. Featuring an all star cast including Sean Connery and John Cleese, this Criterion release includes new interviews, deleted scenes, commentaries and more! Explore the wonders of time travel with this timeless classic!

Product Details

Product Name	Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
Release Year	1981
Director	Terry Gilliam
Writer(s)
Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, & Charles Alverson
Stars	John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, Ralph Richardson, Peter Vaughan
Rating/Duration	PG/1 hr. 47 min.
Format	Blu-ray
Language(s)	English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
Subtitles	English SDH, French & Spanish

Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] Pros and Cons

1. Pros:

Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] is a must-have for any Terry Gilliam fan.

This edition of the classic fantasy-adventure film offers a stunning 4K digital restoration with pristine picture and sound quality, making this one of the best versions available.

It includes an array of special features including interviews with Terry Gilliam and other cast and crew members that go behind the scenes to explore the making of this beloved movie.

The Blu-ray comes in a beautiful package with artwork from the original theatrical release.

2. Cons:

The price tag on Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] is quite steep, making it hard for some fans to justify the cost.

Some of the bonus features are not as substantial as they could be with only a few interviews included.

Who are They for

Make your dreams come true with Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]! Directed by Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam and starring John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, and more, this 1981 classic is an unforgettable time-traveling adventure. Join Kevin (Craig Warnock), a young boy who stumbles upon a group of dwarves who have stolen a time-traveling map from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson). The little thieves plan to use it to jump through history and steal riches, but their masterplan is in danger when Evil (David Warner) discovers their plan and sends his army of monsters after them.

This Criterion Collection edition of Time Bandits features a stunning new 4K restoration from the original camera negative supervised by Terry Gilliam himself. Special features include audio commentaries, two featurettes on the making of the film, deleted scenes, interviews with cast and crew, storyboards and much more. Let your imagination run wild with this timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences today!

My Experience for Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

What if you could freeze time and go on a wild adventure? If that sounds like your dream come true, you’ll love Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]. This classic 1981 Terry Gilliam film stars John Cleese, Sean Connery, and a gang of mischievous little people who have stolen a map of the universe’s holes in time. Together they travel through history, encountering mythical figures like King Agamemnon, Evil Genius (David Warner), and Robin Hood (Michael Palin). Along the way they also face off against a fearsome ogre and an army of evil Supreme Being’s minions.

This Criterion Collection Blu-ray features a stunning 4K digital transfer, supervised by cinematographer Roger Pratt, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. You’ll also get exclusive bonus materials to make your viewing experience even more enjoyable. There’s an audio commentary featuring Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Michael Palin, David Warner and producer George Harrison; new interviews with actors Craig Warnock and David Rappaport; an archival interview with Gilliam; storyboards for deleted scenes; and much more.

So what are you waiting for? Grab Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray], press play, and escape into an incredible world of time-traveling fun!

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages List:
1. Blu-ray disc is Region A only, which means it will only play on Region A players.
2. Lack of bonus features – there are no special features or extras included on the Blu-ray disc.
3. The audio is in Dolby Digital 2.0, not 5.1 surround sound as some people may expect from a Blu-ray release.
4. The transfer of the film to Blu-ray is not the best quality – some shots are slightly soft and grainy, particularly during night scenes.

How to Enjoy Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Time Bandits is a cinematic classic from director Terry Gilliam. The Criterion Collection edition of this timeless film includes the iconic movie on Blu-ray, as well as a host of special features and extras. Here’s how to make sure you get the most out of your viewing experience.

Step 1: Watch the Movie

Before you dive into the extras and bonus content, watch the movie itself. Time Bandits follows Kevin, an imaginative young boy who stumbles upon six dwarves that have stolen a time-traveling map. Along with his newfound friends, Kevin embarks on an adventure through time and space that takes him through history and across the world. This wild ride is full of comedy and action, making it perfect for family movie night!

Step 2: Explore the Special Features

Once you’ve watched the movie, take some time to explore the special features included in the Criterion Collection edition of Time Bandits. You can learn more about how this film was made with commentary from Terry Gilliam and other members of the production team. There are also behind-the-scenes documentaries to check out, as well as a collection of deleted scenes.

Step 3: Share Your Thoughts

Finally, don’t forget to share your thoughts about Time Bandits with friends and family! Share your favorite moments from the movie or discuss what you learned from watching the bonus content. With its enjoyable story and amazing visuals, Time Bandits will no doubt be a hit at any movie night gathering!

Questions about Time Bandits (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

What is Time Bandits?

Time Bandits is a 1981 British fantasy-comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and co-written with Michael Palin. It stars Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ralph Richardson, and other iconic actors in an imaginative adventure through time and space. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Time Bandits features a 4K digital restoration.

What extras are included on the Time Bandits Blu-ray?

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Time Bandits includes over two hours of special features, including a new interview with director Terry Gilliam, a conversation between Gilliam and actor Michael Palin from 2003, an archival interview with composer Mike Moran, and more.

How does Time Bandits look on Blu-ray?

The Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Time Bandits features a 4K digital restoration from the original 35mm camera negative. The video is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround soundtrack.

Ray Cooley

I'm a movie enthusiast with a passion for discovering the latest and greatest films. I love to watch movies with friends, discuss them online, and share my thoughts about them in reviews. The only thing I enjoy more than watching a great film is telling others why it's so special!