# Time Bandits

> 1981 film directed by Terry Gilliam

**Wikidata**: [Q1426318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1426318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Bandits)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/time-bandits

## Summary
*Time Bandits* is a 1981 fantasy-adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam, produced by HandMade Films and Janus Films, and set in the United Kingdom. The film blends science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and comedy, featuring a young boy who steals time from a magical clock to fund his adventures.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Terry Gilliam.
- Produced by HandMade Films (inception: 1978) and Janus Films (inception: 1956).
- Set in the United Kingdom, a sovereign constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
- Released on July 13, 1981, in the UK, and later in other territories.
- Genre classifications: science fiction film, fantasy film, adventure film, comedy film.
- Part of the broader class of films, with specific identifiers including GND ID 4017102-4 and Dewey Decimal Classification 791.43.
- Has numerous aliases in multiple languages, including "movie," "motion picture," and "cinema."
- Studied by academic disciplines such as film theory, film studies, and sociology of film.
- Represented in 235 Wikipedia language editions.
- Has a Wikipedia "Vital article" status (Level 4).
- Maintained by WikiProject Film.
- Has a sitelink count of 35 across various platforms.

## FAQs
**What genre does *Time Bandits* belong to?**
*Time Bandits* is classified as a science fiction film, fantasy film, adventure film, and comedy film. It blends elements of these genres to create a unique narrative experience.

**Who directed *Time Bandits*?**
The film was directed by Terry Gilliam, a renowned British filmmaker known for his work in fantasy and surreal comedy.

**Which production companies were involved in *Time Bandits*?**
The film was produced by HandMade Films (inception: 1978) and Janus Films (inception: 1956), both significant in British film production and distribution.

**Where is *Time Bandits* set?**
The film is set in the United Kingdom, a sovereign constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, featuring diverse cultural and administrative divisions.

**What are the key academic disciplines related to *Time Bandits*?**
The film is studied by disciplines such as film theory, film studies, and sociology of film, reflecting its cultural and artistic significance.

## Why It Matters
*Time Bandits* is significant as a pioneering work in fantasy-adventure cinema, blending surreal humor with deep philosophical themes. Directed by Terry Gilliam, the film stands out for its innovative storytelling and visual style, influencing later works in the genre. Its production by HandMade Films and Janus Films highlights the contributions of British film companies to global cinema. The film's setting in the United Kingdom adds cultural context, reflecting the country's rich history and diverse administrative systems. As a "Vital article" on Wikipedia, it demonstrates its enduring relevance in film studies and popular culture. Its academic study and representation in multiple languages underscore its global impact.

## Notable For
- Blending science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and comedy in a unique narrative.
- Directed by Terry Gilliam, known for surreal and imaginative filmmaking.
- Produced by HandMade Films and Janus Films, significant British film companies.
- Set in the United Kingdom, a sovereign constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
- Classified as a "Vital article" on Wikipedia, indicating its cultural importance.
- Studied by academic disciplines such as film theory, film studies, and sociology of film.
- Represented in 235 Wikipedia language editions, showcasing its global reach.
- Maintained by WikiProject Film, reflecting dedicated community curation.

## Body

### Core Definition and Classification
*Time Bandits* is a 1981 fantasy-adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam, produced by HandMade Films and Janus Films, and set in the United Kingdom. The film is classified as a science fiction film, fantasy film, adventure film, and comedy film, blending elements of these genres to create a unique narrative experience. It is formally defined as a sequence of images that give the impression of movement, stored on film stock, with specific identifiers including GND ID 4017102-4 and Dewey Decimal Classification 791.43. The film has numerous aliases in multiple languages, including "movie," "motion picture," and "cinema," reflecting its global cultural relevance.

### Production and Setting
The film was produced by HandMade Films (inception: 1978) and Janus Films (inception: 1956), both significant in British film production and distribution. Set in the United Kingdom, a sovereign constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, the film features a young boy who steals time from a magical clock to fund his adventures. The country's diverse cultural and administrative divisions, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, contribute to the film's setting and narrative context.

### Academic and Cultural Significance
*Time Bandits* is studied by academic disciplines such as film theory, film studies, and sociology of film, reflecting its cultural and artistic significance. It is represented in 235 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating its global reach and influence. The film is classified as a "Vital article" on Wikipedia (Level 4), indicating its importance in film studies and popular culture. It is maintained by WikiProject Film, reflecting dedicated community curation and scholarly interest.

### Related Works and Examples
The film is part of a broader class of films, with specific examples including *12 Angry Men*, *Berlin: Symphony of a Metropolis*, *Wild Tales*, *Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope*, and *Elevator to the Gallows*. These examples span different eras, genres, and national cinemas, illustrating the concept's breadth and influence in the film industry.

### Structural Components and Parts
*Time Bandits* includes distinct parts such as motion picture credits, a trailer, film frames, film or TV credits, and a title sequence. These components are integral to the film's presentation and production, contributing to its overall narrative and visual style.

### Distinction from Related Entities
The film is explicitly distinguished from film reel, clarifying the difference between the medium (film stock on a reel) and the artistic work (the motion picture). This distinction highlights the film's unique contributions to the genre and its cultural impact.

### Wikimedia Project Maintenance
The film is maintained by WikiProject Film, indicating dedicated community curation on Wikipedia. The topic has a main category of Category:Films and a main Wikimedia portal of Portal:Film, reflecting its status as a significant cultural topic.

### Language and Localization
The film has extensive language coverage, with Wikipedia titles available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, and Urdu. Specific localized topic IDs exist for Gujarati, Finnish, and other languages, confirming its status as a topic with near-universal Wikipedia coverage.

### Authority and Provenance
The film has described by source references to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Tagging Vocabulary and the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. It has a provenio_uuid of c909c01e-3f9e-4ff9-902b-ae3415792ce7 and a factgrid_item_id of Tiberius Claudius Balbilus, reflecting its authoritative status in cultural and scholarly contexts.

### Platform and Service Integration
The film is integrated into various platforms and services, including iTunes, Wolfram Language, Open Library, and Stack Exchange. It has specific topic IDs on platforms such as X, YSA, YSO, PSH, NL CR AUT, NRK, TED, YLE, BBC Things, and others, reflecting its widespread presence in digital media and cultural databases.

### Historical and Archival References
The film has historical and archival references, including JSTOR Topic IDs, Museum Digital Tag IDs, and U.S. National Archives Identifiers. These references highlight its significance in historical and cultural documentation, contributing to its enduring relevance in film studies and popular culture.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/)
2. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/time-bandits-film-0)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/fullcredits)
4. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Letterboxd
7. The Movie Database
8. Time Bandits. Rotten Tomatoes
9. Freebase Data Dumps
10. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/releaseinfo)
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/releaseinfo)
12. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/filestream.asp?dir=karte&file=1310\52997V.pdf)
13. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0081633/)
14. Kinopoisk
15. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/time-bandits-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmdyymjm)
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/55685)
18. Online-Filmdatenbank
19. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=275681)
20. Bechdel Test Movie List
21. mymovies.it
22. [Time Bandits (1981 Movie) - Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Time-Bandits/)
23. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/79353)
24. Trakt.tv
25. FilmVandaag.nl