Time Bandits (1981/Umbrella Entertainment/Region Four/4/PAL)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Films: C

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region 4 PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment at the website address provided at the end of the review.

 

 

Umbrella Entertainment has released on DVD what is essentially the same double DVD set Anchor Bay issued on Terry Gilliam’s 1981 fan favorite Time Bandits from their DiviMax DVD series, but have added a DTS track.  Here is the link to our coverage of the U.S. NTSC original:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/788/Time+Bandits+(Divimax+Edition)

 

 

The picture is not too impressive, though we did not expect much considering the history of bad transfers the film has, including the Criterion DVD edition.  Until a Blu-ray arrives, this is never going to look correct.  As for the DTS 5.1 track, it is a little better than all the previous Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes and both are included on this set.  A lamer Dolby Digital 2.0 Mix also exists, but it is best skipped.  With the same extras, this is for import fans with DTS capacity only, but at least it exists and is by default, the best set we’re going to get until someone does Blu-ray.

 

 

As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import set exclusively from Umbrella at:

 

http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo