Jabberwocky

 

Moviedrome Introduction

Film Details

Release Date: 1977

Director:  Terry Gilliam

Stars:

Michael Palin: The hapless hero, Dennis Cooper, thrust into the role of dragon slayer.

Harry H. Corbett: The Squire, initially tasked with defeating the Jabberwocky.

John Le Mesurier: The uptight Chamberlain, Passelewe.

Warren Mitchell: The bombastic Mr. Fishfinger.

Max Wall: The delightfully odd King Bruno the Questionable.

Plus many other familiar faces from British Comedy - Bernard Bresslaw, Rodney Bewes, Gordon Kaye, Brian Glover.

Plot Summary

Set in the fictional medieval kingdom of Bruno the Questionable, "Jabberwocky" follows the misadventures of a young peasant named Dennis Cooper (played by Michael Palin). After being expelled from his home by his father, Dennis sets out to seek his fortune in the city. However, he soon finds himself entangled in a series of bizarre and perilous events.

As Dennis navigates the chaotic streets of Bruno, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters, including the greedy merchant Mr. Fishfinger (played by Warren Mitchell) and the inept knight Sir Griselda Fishfinger (played by Terry Jones). Along the way, Dennis falls in love with the spirited and resourceful maiden Griselda (played by Annette Badland), who becomes his unlikely ally.

Meanwhile, the kingdom of Bruno is terrorized by the Jabberwock, a fearsome monster that wreaks havoc on the land. In a desperate bid to rid the kingdom of the creature, the king announces a tournament to slay the beast, promising the hand of his daughter in marriage to the victor.

Despite his lack of combat skills, Dennis decides to enter the tournament in hopes of winning Griselda's heart. Armed with little more than his wits and a rusty sword, Dennis faces off against the Jabberwock in a climactic showdown that will determine the fate of the kingdom.

Personal History

 I think I had this confused with the one with small people.... Time Bandits, I think.

Current Review

Where does Monty Python end and Terry Gilliam begin. This is very much in the mold Life of Brian/Holy Grail. A loose plot setting forth a number of set pieces. Most of which are deeply unfunny, unlike the classic Python films. That is, unless you like seeing Michael Palin being urinated on.  As the kids say, someone should check Gilliam's hard drive.

The story - based on a Lewis Carroll poem, which explains Alex Cox's bizarre introduction - has Palin, an annoying idiot, leaving his village, trying his luck in the city and getting involved in the King's plea to rid the land of a monster that is terrifying the population.

Somehow, it seems rather epic in an amateur dramatic style - every scene is packed with extras. You could imagine the majority of the low budget being spent on catering. The finale has a quite impressive animatronic monster.

I believe the knight is the Green Cross Code Man.  Darth Vadar

I think I laughed once. And that was to the town crier's drummer maintaining a beat when the tower crier had smashed his drum on his head. Far more entertaining to play i-Spy with everyone from British TV comedy.

Quirky Facts

• Made on a modest budget of £500,000, this was filmed on the crumbling sets of "Oliver", and re-used costumes from "Alfred the Great", according to Philip Kemp in Sight & Sound Magazine.
• In some countries, this movie was promoted and released as "Monty Python's Jabberwocky", against the wishes of writer and director Terry Gilliam. After threats of legal action, the Python reference was removed from all subsequent re-issues.

Quotes

1st Herald: As a reward for killing the monster, the king's champion will receive half the princess's hand and the entire kingdom in marriage.
[his assistant whispers in his ear]
1st Herald: Correction. It is, of course, it is, of course, the king's hand and half the princess's kingdom.
[his assistant whispers in his ear again]
1st Herald: Excuse me.
[he listens as his assistant whispers to him]
1st Herald: I've just received final confirmation of the final terms. It is, of course, the princess's hand and half the entire kingdom.

Sustenance

Potatoes.

Future Inspiration

A quite dreadful American movie podcast did educate me on how prolific Terry Gilliam is.  They rate Fisher King and Brazil as much watch films. Throw Twelve Monkeys into this and you have the top 3 ranked.