Plot: What’s it about?
The lands of Bruno the Questionable (Max Wall) have become troubled in the recent days, thanks to an evil, hideous beast. As if the Dark Ages weren’t dark enough, this terrible creature’s shadow casts even more gloom & doom upon the times. So what is this menace that stalks the drab countryside, you say? This foul creation is the Jabberwock, a creature with intense flames and razor sharp talons, as well as other natural weapons. It seems like even the bravest, most skilled knights would fall to this beast, so who knows when and if it can be stopped. But perhaps a hero rises from an unlikely place, as young Dennis Cooper (Michael Palin) has arrived in town and he has some serious plans for the future. After the death of his father, Dennis set out to make his fortune and become an important person. With his trusty potato in hand, he could very well be the right man to take on the Jabberwock. He might seem like just a simple, pretty much useless young man, but in truth, that is just what he is.
Although Terry Gilliam has amassed a sizable fanbase over time, even his most dedicated fans usually end up divided over this one. I suppose most people have the improper approach, expecting something like Brazil or perhaps Monty Python, neither of which is close to what Jabberwocky ends up being. It has dashes of Python madness and brilliance, but it also has more than those elements, to be sure. I think most people find this picture to be droll and dull, which is understandable, since Jabberwocky means to be droll, at least most of the time. As droll as this movie is at times, it also remains very humorous and the drollness might throw some folks off, but those who like that approach should love Jabberwocky. I don’t think it is a constant reel of hilarious moments, but the story moves well and tons of subtle touches can be found. In truth, I think a few viewing sessions are needed before passing judgment, in order to let the details soak in. It could be too droll and slow moving for some folks, but to fans of offbeat humor, this terrific movie and disc are more than recommended.
His films always seem to have a dark edge to them, even when he changes focus from one approach to the next, so of course, Terry Gilliam’s Jabberwocky is no exception. Gilliam often injects doses of dark humor into his movies and that’s true here, as several scenes have darker tones, but remain humorous. This picture doesn’t have the sheer volume of dark humor that some of Gilliam’s efforts do, but the elements are there, without a doubt. In addition, Gilliam loads on the dark visuals in this one and in the end, the visuals are highly memorable, I think. The locations and sets are so complex & well detailed, it is hard to believe this was a low budget movie, as it looks so refined and well executed. Other films directed by Gilliam include The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Time Bandits, Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, and The Fisher King. The cast includes Michael Palin (Fierce Creatures, Life of Brian), Harry H. Corbett (Silver Dream Racer, Hardcore), and John Le Mesurier (The Italian Job, Midas Run).
Video: How does it look?
Jabberwocky is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with a full frame edition included on the disc’s flip side. The image here is not up to the usual DVD standards, but given the age & nature of the film, I’m surprised it looks this good. The print has frequent nicks, debris, and grain present and this is not good news, but if you’ve seen this in other formats, this treatment is an improvement. The colors seem drab by design and come through well enough, but contrast is horrific at times. The black levels are sometimes sharp and on the mark, but other times look miserable, with no real “black” level at all. So no, this is not a pristine visual presentation, but for what it is, this transfer is more than watchable.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included Dolby Digital 5.1 remix proves to be like most mono-to-5.1 mixes, which means thin and often not too impressive. The basic elements are in more than acceptable form, but seem a little forced at times, which is a let down. I just wish the studios would leave well enough alone, as a film like Jabberwocky simply doesn’t need an expansive audio presence. As Columbia has done a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix, you would assume the original mono is also presented, but that is not the case. It is a let down to be sure, but then again, most people care more about their speakers, as opposed to the film itself. This disc also includes 2.0 surround options in English and French, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The main attraction here is an audio commentary track with director Terry Gilliam and star Michael Palin, who provide a loose, but enjoyable experience. The two break out a ton of humorous stories from the production and each time one is told, it seems a couple more are remembered, very cool stuff indeed. Gilliam even offers some critiques on his own work, with some honest moments where he reveals what he might have changed, if given a round trip ticket back to the film’s era of production. This disc also includes some international poster artwork, sketch to screen comparisons, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
