Time Bandits

Time Bandits Stats: Internet Movie Database
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I still remember sitting in the theater in 1981, watching Time Bandits  for the very first time, delighted at the incredible world unfolding before me. Having been inoculated early with the Monty Python sense of the absurd, I felt right at home listening to Kevin's parents prattle on about their household appliances while someone on a television game show was dunked in custard. And what, exactly, is 'waiting for the food to go down', anyway?

Twenty years, two videotapes and two DVDs later, I am just as transfixed from the moment the first musical note in the opening credits sounds. (You can guess I wore out the first videotape, by why two DVDs? When I bought the first DVD, no additional content was available. When a version with a director's commentary was released, I had to have it.)

This is not the first I've commented on Time Bandits  in these pages, so I'll try not to repeat myself. If you're also a fan of Terry Gilliam, you might wish to see My Favorite Director's  page devoted to him.

Time Bandits was my first look at Ian Holm, as Napolean, who likes "little things, hitting each other!" Years later, I would watch him as Priest Vito Cornelious in The Fifth Element and struggle to place the face. By the time he appeared as Bilbo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring, I'd figured out who he was and become quite attached to him.

Not to be outdone is Katherine Helmond, the dotty and devoted wife of a deteriorating middle-aged ogre named Winston and the always-fabulous Python players, of course. Michael Palin as the lovelorn Vincent, wooing his Pansy throughout the ages, and John Cleese as Robin Hood, who in this universe seems to be something of a dandy.

And don't get me started on Sean Connery... His prime years came a bit early for my generation, but his performance as Agamemnon made a fine introduction and I was more than ready to see him again when he appeared as Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez in the Highlander series.

The true standout performance in Time Bandits is undoubtedly David Warner as Evil. He says absurd things, he wears the most outrageous cape and helmet, and his gestures are large, yet somehow he doesn't go over the top - he raises the roof. A face that was new to me would become an actor I would look for in years to come.

But not the only one.

Time Bandits is all about - is totally owned by - the little people in it, particularly principle actors Kenny Baker (Fidgit), Jack Purvis (Wally) and David Rappaport (Randall). Kenny Baker is perhaps best known as the guy who plays R2-D2 in the Star Wars movies, and as Fidgit he displays enormous heart, somehow. David Rappaport shows plenty of comedic leading man potential; I wish that he were still with us and performing. And Jack Purvis' performance as Wally is engaging, heroic and at times, even instense. I like to imagine that they and their co-stars had as much rowdy fun on the set as their characters do strolling through time.

If you ask me to name my favorite movies of all time, without hesitation I'll put Time Bandits at the head of the list. It won't be long before I have additions (like The Rocky Horror Picture Show which consumed me for several years), but when it comes to most quoted, most watched, most enjoyed... this one's the King.

Sounds from Time Bandits

"What the Hell is going on up here?"	-	Kevin's father told him to go to bed.
"Shine it right in the face!"	-	The ruthless efficiency of Randall's gang.
"Vermin will you stop eating!"	-	Vermin meets the barnyard animals.
"Who was that man?"	-	Kevin learns who's chasing them.
"We agreed no leader."	-	Randall setting them straight.
"That's what I like..."	-	The inner workings of Napolean's mind.
"That is not meant to be eaten!"	-	Vermin's at it again.
"He used to be our employer..."	-	The gang's last job.
"It was a bit of a botched job..."	-	Randall reveals the secrets of creation.
"Here's to stinkin' Kevin!"	-	The gang celebrates their successful heist.
"Pansy, the problem... I must have fruit!"	-	Michael Palin gave himself the funniest line.
"Thank you very very very very much!"	-	The gracious Robin Hood.
"I am Evil"	-	Pride goeth... and all that.
"I have understanding... of digital watches"	-	Evil has never approved of the Supreme Being's priorities.
"Who sent you?"	-	Agamemnon's response to Kevin's fortuitous arrival.
"The Gods must have given you a name."	-	Kevin's introduction to Agamemnon.
"God, how I love her."	-	No, Vincent isn't talking about Pansy.
"I'll stick with the quails' eyeballs."	-	Living in the lap of luxery on the Titanic.
"Kings aren't the only ones with money..."	-	Randall can't figure out why Kevin's pouting.
"Dear Benson..."	-	The single best, most quotable line of all time.
"What would look good?"	-	Evil muses about the hex he's going to put on Kevin.
"Evil turned out rather well."	-	The Supreme Being has a few surprises left.
"Why do we have to have Evil?"	-	Kevin asks the Supreme Being the big one.
"They'll think I've lost control again...."	-	The second most quotable line in of all time.
"Don't touch it!"	-	Kevin's parents demonstrate their massive intelligence one last time.