'Time Bandits', Terry Gilliam's elaborate fantasy adventure, has finally been remastered for laser disc with a letterboxed transfer. The 1982 film chronicles the adventures of a group of bumbling dwarves that steal a map of time from their employer, the Supreme Being. Using the map, they are able to locate time holes, or doorways, leading from one time to another and set out to become international criminals, stealing as much treasure from ages past as they can carry. Early on in their quest for riches, the dwarves inadvertantly make a detour through the bedroom of a young British lad played by Craig Warnock who reluctently joins this merry band. Along the way, the time travelers encounter the likes of Napoleon, Robin Hood, King Agamemnon and the Titanic. Finally, they go in search of The Most Precious Object In The World. Their search leads them to The Fortress Of Ultimate Darkness in The Time Of Legends. Here they fall into the clutches of Evil, played by David Warner, who wants the time map for himself.
'Time Bandits' is a fun movie filled with terrific special effects and beautifully detailed sets and costumes. The film was co-written by Gilliam and ex-Python pal Michael Palin who also makes not one, but two cameo appearances. The film also features a number of notable actors in small parts. Sean Connery is King Agamemnon, Ian Holm is Napolean, Shelly Duval has two cameos as Palin's girlfriend in two different times, Ralph Richardson is The Supreme Being and another ex-Pythoner, John Cleese, plays one of the screens most memorable Robin Hoods.
Though the transfer for this disc is new, it does not quite measure up to any number of other recent titles (and not just THX stuff). That is not to say this is a bad transfer by any means. Colors are accurate and stable with good saturation and no smearing. Contrast and brightness are very good, as is sharpness and detail. There is, however, a mild but fairly persistant graininess throughout. Also there is quite a bit of dirt visible in a number of scenes. The film was shot flat and this transfer appears to be accurately matted to a ratio of about 1.85:1. The framing looks very good and is undoubtedly an improvement over the older full frame transfer. Most will not find the flaws in this transfer too objectionable, but considering the current state of the transfer art, one cannot help but feel this could have been a better job.
The audio on this disc is very good. The Dolby Stereo soundtrack contains a number of good directional effects as well as a suprising amount of bass. Dialog is natural sounding and well balanced and the score is clear with good depth in the surrounds.
The film runs 116 minutes and the disc contains only 13 chapters. The side break occurs at a scene change but is still rather jarring. Paramount did not include the trailer. List price is $39.95.
'Time Bandits' has long been a favorite of Gilliam's fans and is certainly the kind of film that would make a great Criterion-style special edition. As for now, fans will have to content themselves with this much improved, but still flawed, edition.
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