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Time Bandits (1981) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Time Bandits (1981) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1981 · 116 min · English
JustWatch #5,296 73
Starring
Sean Connery, David Warner, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Shelley Duvall

A young boy named Kevin is swept into a fantastical adventure when he encounters a group of dwarves who have stolen a map of time's weak points. They use the map to travel through history, collecting treasures from various eras. Kevin joins their escapades, finding himself alongside legendary figures like Napoleon, Robin Hood, and King Agamemnon. He experiences humorous encounters and thrilling escapes as they navigate the past, pursued by an evil knight and a powerful being seeking to reclaim the stolen map.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Time Bandits
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Time Bandits (1981)

Where can you watch Time Bandits? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Time Bandits Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Time Bandits (1981), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Kevin Lotterby

    An ordinary 11-year-old boy, Kevin is characterized by his curiosity and fascination with history. He feels neglected by his materialistic parents, which drives his desire for adventure. Throughout his journey, he transforms from an innocent child into a proactive adventurer, bridging the gap between fantasy and his harsh reality.

    • 🧑🏽‍🦱 Boy
    • 🎒 Adventure
    • 📸 Curious
  • Napoleon Bonaparte

    played by Ian Holm

    Portrayed as both humorous and shrewd, Napoleon's character represents the complexities of historical figures. His whimsical fascination with the dwarfs showcases a lighter side of a notorious dictator, offering a glimpse into his charm that contrasts with his military reputation.

    • 👨‍✈️ Leader
    • 🎭 Historical
    • 🎉 Entertaining
  • Ultimate Evil

    played by David Warner

    As the primary antagonist, Ultimate Evil embodies the traits of malice and cunning. He seeks to manipulate time for his own gain, presenting challenges that test the protagonists' resilience. His character serves to heighten the stakes of the adventure while representing the darkness which Kevin must ultimately confront.

    • 😈 Villain
    • 🌌 Dark
    • 🔮 Manipulative
  • King Agamemnon

    played by Sean Connery

    King Agamemnon is a benevolent figure who symbolizes leadership and strength. His interaction with Kevin showcases his role as a father figure, providing warmth and a sense of belonging among the chaos. However, his character also faces challenges, emphasizing the responsibilities of leadership in turbulent times.

    • 👑 Leader
    • 🤝 Mentor
    • ⚔️ Courageous
  • Robin Hood

    played by John Cleese

    A classic character known for his generosity and wit, Robin Hood emerges as a symbol of justice and rebellion against greed. His encounter with Kevin and the dwarfs highlights the importance of altruism amidst the pursuit of adventure, showcasing how the act of giving can redefine the narrative of despair.

    • 🏹 Hero
    • 🤴 Charismatic
    • 🌲 Justice

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:50

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Setting

Where and When Does Time Bandits Take Place?

The setting of Time Bandits (1981): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Early 1980s, 1796

Set in early 1980s England, the film contrasts Kevin's mundane reality with his magical travels through time. The story traverses back to 1796 during the height of the Napoleonic Wars, exposing viewers to significant historical events and the societal challenges of the era, while also highlighting timeless themes of adventure and imagination.

Location

England, Italy, Fortress of Ultimate Evil, Titanic

The movie takes Kevin on a whimsical journey across various locations in time, including the serene landscapes of England and the tumultuous battlefields of Italy during historical events like the Second Battle of Castiglione. The Fortress of Ultimate Evil serves as a treacherous stronghold filled with nefarious plots, while the Titanic is known for its tragic fate, setting the stage for a desperate search for hidden treasures.

  • 🏴‍☠️ Adventure
  • ⚔️ History
  • 🏰 Fantasy

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:50

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3 major themes

Time Bandits Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Time Bandits (1981) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Imagination

    The theme of imagination drives the narrative as Kevin escapes the confines of his dull home life and ventures into fantastical worlds. Each time portal he encounters allows for a new story arc, showcasing how creativity and wonder can transform reality into an extraordinary adventure. This exploration ultimately highlights the importance of dreaming beyond one's immediate circumstances.

  • Family

    Family dynamics play a crucial role as Kevin longs for the warmth and connection he lacks at home. Throughout his adventure, he experiences fleeting moments of familial warmth with King Agamemnon, contrasting sharply with his indifferent parents. This theme emphasizes the quest for belonging and the impact of familial relationships on one's sense of self.

  • Good vs Evil

    The classic struggle between good and evil is personified through Kevin's encounters with Ultimate Evil and the Supreme Being. As Kevin and the dwarfs navigate challenges, they must rely on their morals and teamwork to overcome malevolent forces. This theme serves as a reminder of the choices one must make when faced with adversity and the importance of bravery in the face of darkness.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:50

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Character & theme questions

Time Bandits Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Time Bandits (1981): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the story take place?

The movie spans multiple locations across time, beginning in early 1980s England where Kevin lives with his parents. The dwarves then travel through various historical periods including 1796 Italy during the Napoleonic Wars, with key scenes set at the Fortress of Ultimate Evil and even aboard the Titanic. The story uses time portals to move between these vastly different settings.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's unremarkable suburban bedroom serves as the mundane starting point that contrasts with the fantastical locations he later visits.

  • settings
  • locations
  • time travel
  • England
  • Italy
  • Fortress of Ultimate Evil
  • Titanic
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The film is primarily set in early 1980s England during Kevin's normal life, but the core story involves travel back to 1796 during the Napoleonic Wars in Italy. The narrative moves through multiple historical eras thanks to the map of time's weak points, allowing encounters with figures from different periods.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's fascination with history foreshadows his journey through historical time periods.

  • time period
  • 1980s
  • 1796
  • Napoleonic Wars
  • historical era
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

Three dominant themes drive the film: imagination, as Kevin escapes his dull home life into fantastical worlds through time portals; family, exploring Kevin's longing for connection with his indifferent parents and finding temporary familial bonds with characters like King Agamemnon; and good versus evil, as Kevin and the dwarves confront Ultimate Evil and must make moral choices about bravery and teamwork.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's neglect at home establishes the emotional void that the imagination theme fills.

  • themes
  • imagination
  • family
  • good vs evil
  • belonging
Q4

What does the imagination theme mean in the movie?

The imagination theme represents Kevin's escape from his mundane, neglected reality into extraordinary adventures. Each time portal opens a new fantastical world, showing how creativity and wonder transform his boring life into exciting experiences. The theme encourages dreaming beyond one's immediate circumstances.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's boring suburban existence contrasts sharply with the colorful worlds the map reveals.

  • imagination
  • fantasy
  • escape
  • adventure
  • dreams
Q5

How does the family theme play out in Time Bandits?

Kevin feels abandoned by his materialistic parents who ignore him, driving his desire for adventure and belonging. During his journey, he experiences fleeting familial warmth with King Agamemnon, who treats him like a son. These moments highlight his quest for connection and how the absence of family love at home shapes his identity.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's neglected childhood makes his bonding with King Agamemnon emotionally significant.

  • family
  • Kevin's parents
  • King Agamemnon
  • belonging
  • neglect
Q6

Who is the main character Kevin?

Kevin is an ordinary 11-year-old boy who feels neglected by his materialistic parents. Fascinated with history and longing for adventure, he becomes the bridge between the dwarves' chaotic time-travelling scheme and his harsh suburban reality. Throughout the journey, he transforms from a passive, ignored child into an active participant who makes crucial decisions.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's curiosity and desire for escape set the stage for his recruitment by the dwarves.

  • Kevin
  • main character
  • protagonist
  • boy
  • adventurer
Q7

Who is the villain Ultimate Evil?

Ultimate Evil is the primary antagonist, a malicious and cunning being who seeks to reclaim the stolen map of time's weak points. He operates from the Fortress of Ultimate Evil and manipulates time for his own gain. His pursuit of the dwarves creates the central conflict, representing the darkness Kevin must ultimately confront.

Foreshadowing: The mysterious map theft establishes the conflict that draws Ultimate Evil into the story.

  • Ultimate Evil
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • Supreme Being
  • evil
Q8

How is Napoleon portrayed in the film?

Napoleon Bonaparte appears as a humorous and shrewd character who showcases both the charm and absurdity of historical figures. His whimsical fascination with the dwarves reveals a lighter side that contrasts with his military reputation, making for comedic encounters during the 1796 Italy sequence.

Foreshadowing: The dwarves' historical plundering naturally brings them into contact with famous figures like Napoleon.

  • Napoleon
  • historical figure
  • comedy
  • 1796
  • Italy
Q9

What is King Agamemnon's role in the story?

King Agamemnon serves as a benevolent father figure for Kevin during his adventure. Symbolizing leadership and strength, he provides Kevin with the warmth and sense of belonging the boy lacks at home. However, his responsibilities as a leader also create challenges, emphasizing the burdens of leadership in turbulent times.

Foreshadowing: Kevin's search for a missing father figure makes his encounter with Agamemnon emotionally significant.

  • King Agamemnon
  • father figure
  • Sean Connery
  • leadership
  • Greek mythology
Q10

How does Robin Hood fit into the story?

Robin Hood appears as the classic symbol of justice and rebellion against greed, using his generosity and wit to aid Kevin and the dwarves. His encounter highlights the theme of altruism, showing how giving and sharing can transform desperate situations. He represents the moral compass among the historical figures encountered.

Foreshadowing: The dwarves' treasure-seeking naturally leads to meetings with legendary figures known for their relationship to wealth.

  • Robin Hood
  • historical figure
  • justice
  • generosity
  • altruism
Q11

Why is the movie considered a fantasy film?

Time Bandits blends fantasy elements with historical adventure through its surreal premise of time travel via a magical map, the whimsical tone, and the Fortress of Ultimate Evil as a fantastical setting. The film incorporates classic fantasy tropes like dwarves, an evil overlord, and a young hero's journey into imaginative worlds, earning its Adventure, Fantasy, and Comedy genre classifications.

Foreshadowing: The talking map and dwarves immediately establish the film's fantastical nature.

  • fantasy
  • genre
  • adventure
  • time travel
  • magical map
Q12

How does the good vs evil theme work in the movie?

The good versus evil theme manifests through Kevin's battle against Ultimate Evil, who seeks to manipulate time for selfish purposes. Kevin and the dwarves must rely on their morals, courage, and teamwork to overcome challenges posed by this malevolent force. The theme emphasizes the importance of making brave choices when facing adversity.

Foreshadowing: The dwarfs' theft of the map from Ultimate Evil establishes the central moral conflict.

  • good vs evil
  • Ultimate Evil
  • bravery
  • morality
  • conflict

Movie threads

More Movies Like Time Bandits, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Time Bandits tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical time adventures like Time Bandits

Eccentric crews and chaotic escapades across bizarre historical eras. If you liked the chaotic historical escapades in Time Bandits, you'll enjoy these movies that share a similar sense of whimsical time travel. This section features comedies and fantasies with eccentric crews, slapstick humor, and imaginative visits to different eras, all with a playful, adventurous spirit.

  • whimsical
  • adventurous
  • surreal
  • comic
  • imaginative
  • fast-paced
  • Tone: whimsical, humorous, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a group—often a found family of misfits—as they leapfrog through various historical or fantastical locations, driven by a quest for treasure or survival. The structure is episodic, with each new setting providing a self-contained comedic or thrilling encounter before the story swiftly moves on, building momentum toward a final confrontation.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together for their shared spirit of chaotic, irreverent adventure. They prioritize imaginative world-hopping and character-driven humor over serious drama, creating a consistently fun and fast-paced viewing experience centered on the joy of exploration and absurd encounters.

Bittersweet fantasy comedies like Time Bandits

Imaginative adventures that mix high humor with subtle notes of sadness. For viewers who enjoyed the blend of slapstick humor and subtle melancholy in Time Bandits, this section highlights movies with a similar mixed tone. These are imaginative stories, often with child protagonists, that weave lighthearted adventure with moments of genuine emotional weight, resulting in a memorable, layered experience.

  • bittersweet
  • imaginative
  • dreamlike
  • adventurous
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • Tone: whimsical, bittersweet, comic
  • Pacing: fast, with emotional pauses
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The journey often begins with a protagonist escaping a difficult reality into a wondrous world. The central adventure is filled with joy and humor, providing a stark contrast to their ordinary life. The conclusion, however, is rarely purely happy; it integrates the wonder of the fantasy with the inescapable realities of the real world, leaving the character—and the audience—with a complex blend of feelings.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films that skillfully merge high comedy and thrilling fantasy with a poignant emotional undertone. They share a specific narrative rhythm of exuberant escapism punctuated by moments of quiet sadness, creating a uniquely resonant and affecting type of family-friendly story.

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Every angle

Time Bandits (1981) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Time Bandits in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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