Time Bandits
Terry Gilliam's anarchic children’s fantasy has a lavish new release from Arrow, with a fully restored picture and audio track, and it's never looked better.
The story is pure 80s wish fulfilment; a young boy from a boring housing estate in England finds himself tangled up in the adventures of a gang of dwarfs who've stolen a map of "time holes" from The Supreme Being and plan to use it to get stinking rich. It’s shamelessly fun with a strong Pythonesque influence from Gilliam and co-writer Michael Palin.
Like all the best kids films, it isn't afraid to have darker moments, with the Ultimate Evil (a deliciously twisted David Warner), his monster-filled fortress, and an unmistakably grim ending.
The new transfer is a revelation, and showcases the fantastic design work and unmistakeable effort that went into every frame. Watching it again as an adult, it's hard to imagine anything like Time Bandits being produced today. Grab this while you can! [Scott McKellar]
Time Bandits is released 26 Aug on DVD and Blu-ray by Arrow Video
Special features
• Brand new 2k-resolution restoration of the film from the original camera negative, approved by director and co-writer Terry Gilliam
• Original Stereo 2.0 and 5.1 Dolby Surround options Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Chasing Time Bandits: A new interview with Terry Gilliam
• Writing the Film that Dares Not Speak its Name: A new interview in which Michael Palin discusses co-writing and acting in Time Bandits
• The Effects of Time Bandits: A new interview in which Kent Houston, founder of the Peerless Camera Company, discusses Time Bandits’ optical effects
• Playing Evil: A new featurette in which actor David Warner remembers producer George Harrison and playing Evil in Time Bandits
• The Costumes of Time Bandits: A new interview with costume designer James Acheson
• The Look of Time Bandits: A new interview with production designer Milly Burns
• From Script to Screen – A new animated featurette in which Milly Burns takes us through her production notebooks, locations photographs and storyboards revealing how twentieth century Morocco was transformed into Ancient Greece
• Original Trailer
• Restoration Demonstration
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver
http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk