Time Bandits (1981) - Parents Guide Movie Rating

MPA: PG BBFC: PG Maturity Rating 7+

BBFC Reason: Contains mild violence, threat and language

BBFC Ratings info: TIME BANDITS is a 1981 comedy adventure film in which a young boy joins a criminal gang of time-travelling dwarves as they journey through the ages looking for treasure. Violence: The strongest example of violence is a fight between King Agamemnon and the Minotaur, during which the Minotaur's chest is hit with a spear tip, producing a small bloody cut. The spear is then hurled into the creature's side. A little more blood is visible but there is no discernible injury detail. In another scene, during the aftermath of a Napoleonic battle, several prisoners are shot by firing squad. However, on this occasion there is neither blood nor injury detail. Threat: There are some scenes of mild threat, including one scene in which the boy and the dwarves are chased by strange creatures with ram skull heads. Language: There are four uses of the word 'bloody', as well as uses of the terms 'damn', 'God' and 'hell'. In one scene some of the dwarves smoke cigars on the deck of the Titanic. However, the film as a whole neither glamorises nor promotes the practice of smoking.

Sex & Nudity

none

A couple of very veiled sexual references that young kids probably won't catch.

Violence & Gore

mild

A group of small men with swords threaten and grapple with a child. A battle occurs, with modern and futuristic weaponry firing projectiles and rays. Two men arm wrestle and one rips the the others arm off. Not very graphic as it is intended to be comedic but the sound effects could disturb younger children. A man stabs his opponent in self-defense during a heavy swordfight, killing him. 4 or 5 knights are shown bloodlessly impaled on lances. Other men are killed by arrows; no blood. Several people and a dog are magically blown up. We only see and hear explosions with some smoke afterwards. A firing squad shoots several groups of apparently unarmed civilians from a distance. No blood is shown. A stone pillar falls on a man, knocking him (presumably) dead. A man punches several vagrants The Time Bandits deliberately slap and kick each other while singing on stage.

Profanity

mild

Some mild swearing.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

mild

The Time Bandits smoke cigars and drink wine on board the Titanic, and they have a bottle of alcohol to celebrate having robbed Napoleon. Napoleon is very drunk moments after promoting the Bandits to generals.

Frightening & Intense Scenes

mild

The ogre character played by Peter Vaughan maybe quite scary for younger children. A knight on horse back bursts through Kevin's wardrobe and riding about the room. A Minotaur attacks a man with a club. After the battle the man rips the creatures head off. Not as gruesome as it sounds but could disturb some children. Parents are killed (blown up) in front of the child/main character in the end, and shown as smoldering blocks of char. The kid is standing alone, abandoned, and the film ends!