UK, 1977
105m
35mm film, Technicolor
mono, English
A British comedy fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam.
Plot Summary
When his father dies, young Dennis Cooper heads out to see some of the Medieval world and make his fortune. But he becomes involved in a bid to rid the countryside of the terrifying monster Jabberwocky and Dennis finds himself being set up as the most unlikely of heroes.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
© 1977 National Film Trustee Company Limited
A Michael White presentation. An Umbrella Entertainment production. Made by Umbrella Entertainment Productions Limited in association with the National Film Finance Consortium, London
Executive Producer: John Goldstone
Produced by: Sanford Lieberson
Associate Producer: Julian Doyle
Screenplay by: Charles Alverson and Terry Gilliam
Photographed by: Terry Bedford
Editor: Michael Bradsell
Music: De Wolfe
Sound Recordist: Garth Marshall
Costumes: Hazel Pethig and Charles Knode
Make-up and Hairdressing: Maggie Weston, Elaine Carew and Scota Rakison
Special Effects: John F. Brown and Effects Associates
Monster Creation: Valerie Charlton, Clinton Cavers and Jen Effects
Production Designer: Roy Smith
Made on location in Wales and London and at Shepperton Studios, England
Casting: Irene Lamb
Cast
Michael Palin as Dennis Cooper
Harry H. Corbett (squire)
John Le Mesurier (the chamberlain)
Warren Mitchell (Mr Fishfinger)
Max Wall (King Bruno the Questionable)
Rodney Bewes (the other squire)
John Bird (1st herald)
Bernard Bresslaw (the landlord)
Antony Carrick (3rd merchant)
Peter Cellier (1st merchant)
Deborah Fallender (the princess)
Derek Francis (bishop)
Terry Gilliam (man with rock)
Neil Innes (2nd herald)
Terry Jones (poacher)
Bryan Pringle (guard at gate)
Frank Williams (2nd merchant)
Glenn Williams (2nd guard at gate)
Simon Williams (the prince)
Annette Badland (Griselda Fishfinger)
Alternative Titles
La bestia del reino – Spanish title
Jappervokki – Finnish title
Monty Python's Jabberwocky – West Germany title
Stackars Dennis – Swedish title
Links
Extracts included in
The Pythons (1979)
References
Periodicals
Classic Television November/December 2000 pp.28-29 – illustrated article (Terry Gilliam: The garage years by David Lucas)
Empire no.166 (April 2003) p.149 – illustrated DVD review (RWD by Alan Morrison)
Filmfacts vol.20 no.9 (1977) pp.208-211 – reprinted review
Films and Filming vol.22 no.12 (September 1976) p.8 – note
Films and Filming vol.23 no.7 (April 1977) pp.25-28 – illustrated preview
Films and Filming vol.23 no.9 (June 1977) pp.38-39 – review
Films Illustrated vo.6 no.69 (May 1977) pp.342-344 – review
The Hollywood Reporter vol.246 no.16 (27 April 1977) p.2 – review
The Listener vol.97 no.2503 (7 April 1977) pp.452-453 – review
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.44 no.519 (April 1977) pp.72-73 – credits, synopsis, review
New Musical Express 2 April 1977 p.31 – review (by Brian Case)
Radio Times vol.252 no.3303 (14 March 1987) p.19 – review
Screen International no.46 (24 July 1976) p.6 – note
Screen International no.51 (28 August 1976) pp.10-11 – production notes
Screen International no.82 (9 April 1977) p.16 – review
Sight & Sound vol.28 no.1 (January 2018) pp.98-99 – illustrated review (Home cinema: O frabjous day by Philip Kemp)
Variety 6 April 1977 p.26 – credits, review
Books
Creature Features Movie Guide Strikes Again by John Stanley p.207 – credits, review
Film Review 1977-1978 p.134 – credits
Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.202 – credits
Other sources
BFI Southbank Guide September 2019 p.17 – illustrated listing
