Jabberwocky (1977)

DVD from Columbia Tristar

Ex-Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam offers up a scathing satire on medieval romance in Jabberwocky, his first solo effort as director. (Gilliam previously co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail, in collaboration with Terry Jones.) Based loosely on a Lewis Carrol poem of the same name, Jabberwocky concerns a young simpleton, Dennis (Michael Palin), who sets off for the city to seek his fortune. Unfortunately, the kingdom is in a turmoil over the presence of a monster who is roaming the forests and devouring innocent villagers. Predictably, Dennis becomes embroiled in the gentry's effort to select a champion who will vanquish the monster.

For all its comedic intent, Jabberwocky is clever and satirical rather than side-splittingly funny. However, it is also a smarter medieval satire than dumbed-down abominations, such as A Knight's Tale or Black Knight.

Gilliam knows the subject well, and rather than tossing modern humor into a medieval setting, he pokes fun at various aspects of the period itself. And while the production never treats the viewer like a moron, much of the humor can only be fully appreciated by the historically informed. The script is overflowing with esoteric references and takes satiric shots at corrupt princes, self-mortifying cultists, and jousting knights.

Not only that, but much of the imagery in Jabberwocky is like Bosch paintings come to life and, like Bosch, Gilliam seems bent on packing in as much visual information into every frame. The downside of this approach is that the narrative is, at times, disjointed. But on the other hand, the film never gets boring.
Shot on a small budget, the production quality is nevertheless terrific, and for all of its absurdities, everything in this movie looks real. That is, until the climax, where the brave knight journeys out with Dennis in tow (our hero having inadvertently become the champion's squire) and confronts the monster.

The monster, unseen until this point in the film, unfortunately resembles a giant chicken. Since this is a comedy, the monster's rather ridiculous appearance is more forgivable than if Gilliam was making a film based on, say, Beowulf. Still, it is a shame that the special effects department did not have the budget to fashion a more sophisticated foe. In any case, Jabberwocky remains an impressive adventure comedy, with a unique style, which guarantees that it will never be confused with any other movie.

The DVD offers some nice supplemental material, including a commentary track by Gilliam and star Michael Palin, as well as production notes and Gilliam's actual production sketches. In all, high scores for this original and off-beat film as well as for the DVD presentation.

­Paul Andrew MacLean

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