Time Bandits

Kevin, a boy obsessed with history, discovers six dwarfs slipping out of his wardrobe after dark. These former servants of the Supreme Being have stolen a map that marks the rifts in time and use it to pilfer relics from various ages. The reluctant guide is pulled along as the group zigzags through moments in Napoleon's era, the world of Robin Hood, and the courts of King Agamemnon. All the while, the pursuing figure of the Supreme Being closes in, threatening to end their adventures. The film follows this wild, imaginative chase through history without revealing its final outcome. Their mischief reveals how people of the past might react to modern curiosities, offering playful glimpses of courage, fear, and wonder.

Directed by Terry Gilliam, Time Bandits hit theaters in 1981. It originates from an original screenplay by Gilliam and Michael Palin, notable for its inventive blend of fantasy, comedy, and adventurous imagery, all wrapped in a distinctly whimsical British sensibility.

The film earned about 42.4 million worldwide against a 5 million dollar budget, making it a truly profitable hit and a durable favorite among family audiences and cult cinema fans, and proving that imaginative storytelling can thrive on a modest budget.

Time Bandits left a lasting imprint with its playful sense of wonder and Gilliam's fondness for tiny, elaborate worlds. The troupe of dwarfs and their outlandish escapades became a recognizable signpost for his fantasy sensibility and inspired other filmmakers and fans. Its look still informs fantasy comedies today and beyond.

Critics praised its originality and humor, noting the film's fearless blend of whimsy and menace. It treats childhood curiosity as a catalyst for courage while showing the consequences of reckless power and the lure of eras, all wrapped in sly satire. Many fans cite Kevin's curiosity today as inspiration.