Top 10 Terry Gilliam

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

After years of ground-breaking TV comedy, the first proper Monty Python film saw Terry Gilliam step behind the camera, co-directing alongside fellow Python Terry Jones, with the whole team bringing their sketch-show-honed surrealism to the King Arthur mythology. Gilliam’s much-loved animated sequences also feature in this inspired, hilarious panto of a movie, which is slapstick but literate; satirical but not above raspberry-blowing for laughs.

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Time Bandits (1981)

After his first solo outing, Jabberwocky, and letting Jones take the reins on his own in 1979’s Life of Brian, Gilliam’s second feature marked his first full-on grapple with time travel. Complete with dwarves, treasure and a lad called Kevin, Bandits saw Python alumni Michael Palin roped in on writing duties and a wonderful ensemble cast. Gilliam shot everything upward from a low angle to create the perception of dwarves-eye point-of-view.

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The Meaning of Life (1983)

Originally given the title, Monty Python's Fish Film, The Meaning Of Life is the last of the Python series, and one of their more chaotically disturbing ventures. Reuniting with Terry Jones on directorial duties, Gilliam cheerfully admitted that they intended to offend absolutely everyone. Episodic and a bit disjointed, the film nevertheless had enough brilliance to grab a BAFTA nod and the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes.

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Brazil (1985)

Two-time Oscar-nominated and BAFTA winning Brazil is the film that everyone wanted a piece of in pre-production. Gilliam screen-tested Jamie Lee Curtis, Rebecca De Mornay, Rae Dawn Chong, Joanna Pacula, Rosanna Arquette and Kelly McGillis before landing on Ellen Barkin for the part of Jill. And Robert DeNiro was gracious enough to settle for the role of Tuttle since Gilliam had promised the character of Jack Lint to Michael Palin.

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The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen (1985)

Following the success of Time Bandits and Brazil, Gilliam rounded off his thematic trilogy with the four-time Oscar nominated, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. Based on a collection of tall stories published in 1785, the third film emphasises the elderly stages of life, after the two other films which focus on childhood and early adulthood. Gilliam has since admitted that he should have placed acclaimed actress Alison Steadman in a much bigger role.

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The Fisher King (1991)

After working with Robin Williams on The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Gilliam re-cast the improv motormouth alongside heavyweight actor Jeff Bridges in The Fisher King. The Holy Grail crops up again, but there’s far more depth and darkness here, though not a little mania too. The first feature film Gilliam directed without the Monty Python crew, it garnered four Academy Award nominations and a Leading Actress win for Mercedes Ruehl.

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Twelve Monkeys (1995)

With Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt on board, Twelve Monkeys took Gilliam’s fascination with time to a new level. The film’s tagline, “The future is history” aptly sums up the plot, which sees Willis as convict James Coles, sent back in time to save the human race. Gilliam is said to have given Willis a list of Brucisms to avoid during filming, such as the steely blue-eyed look. The film received two Oscar nods, one for Pitt’s tick-heavy asylum inmate.

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

A trippy, psychedelic film based on the book by gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson, it took a long route to the screen, with Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando linked to the project in the initial stages, and – later – Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi . Belushi’s tragic death put production on hold again, and when the green light finally went on, Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro assumed the roles.

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Tideland (2005)

Gilliam continued down the daydream track in 1995 with Tideland. This is perhaps one of his lesser known films, but equally as enchanting as any of his previous flight-of-fantasy stories. Gilliam directed this film while on a break from heading up The Brothers Grimm set. Brendan Fletcher, who plays Dickins, won over Gilliam with his acting talents before they had ever met.

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The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Another Gilliam film which had its line-up altered is The Brothers Grimm. Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins and Robin Williams were initially cast in the film but had to drop out due to their busy schedules. Gilliam’s reportedly uneasy relationship with producers Bob and Harvey Weinstein reared its ugly head over the final cut of the film, and production was put on hold for six months.

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