Click to read the article
The Brothers Grimm (2005)
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Theatrical Release: Aug 26, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $37,848,537
Synopsis: Director Terry Gilliam, who brought his magical storytelling talents to such films as TIME BANDITS and THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN, sets his sights on the Brothers Grimm, turning their life into a playfully grim fairy tale all its own. Set in early 18th century French-occupied... Director Terry Gilliam, who brought his magical storytelling talents to such films as TIME BANDITS and THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN, sets his sights on the Brothers Grimm, turning their life into a playfully grim fairy tale all its own. Set in early 18th century French-occupied Germany, THE BROTHERS GRIMM stars Matt Damon as Will Grimm and Heath Ledger as Jake Grimm, siblings who travel the countryside as snake-oil salesmen, convincing unsuspecting towns that they are haunted and agreeing to get rid of the demons--for a price. In the meantime, they set their tales down in writing, creating a wealth of oddball, offbeat, and frightening characters. But after they are caught by General Delatombe (Jonathan Pryce) and his sidekick, Cavaldi (Peter Stormare), they are sent to the tiny village of Marbaden to solve the mysterious disappearance of a number of young girls, placing them in the middle of a fantasy world unlike any they'd ever invented. They enlist the help of a peasant woman, Angelika (Lena Headey), and they set off for the evil forest to save the lives of the girls--and themselves. Gilliam has once again built a unique, entertaining land where anything can happen, and he throws in references to such Grimm tales as Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and the Frog Prince for good measure. The movie also features Mackenzie Crook and Richard Ridings as the Grimms' cohorts, Monica Bellucci as the Mirror Queen, and Julian Bleach and Bruce McEwan as two of Cavaldi's henchmen. [More]
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Peter Stormare, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce
Screenwriter: Ehren Kruger
Producer: Charles Roven, Daniel Bobker
Composer: Dario Marinelli
DVD Info
Release:
Oct 17, 2006
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Blue BD Case
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 Uncompressed - English
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English, French
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 2.0 - English
- Subtitles - English SDH, French, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Commentaries - 1. Terry Gilliam - Director
- 2. Deleted Scenes with Optional Autio Commentary
Interactive Features:
- "Seamless Menus"
- Scene Selection
Reviews
...darkly amusing, often entertaining and overwhelmingly bizarre. Ultimately, the film gets bogged down in its own adventurous aspirations, although it looks a treat with splendid production design and fantastic effects.
The movie feels thoroughly like a project Gilliam did halfheartedly, just to stay in the game.
A disjointed, ear-splitting, visually-jarring, mirthless exercise in pandemonium that director Terry Gilliam tries to pass off as family entertainment.
everyone involved in the production appears to have become lost in the dark woods, hoping somehow to find their way out with an incoherent trail of compromises.
As magical as classic fairy tales may seem to be, a winking Gilliam is out to prove here that to a profoundly superstitious, stressed out early 19th century world, those legends were as frighteningly real as any documentary or even reality show today.
It's hard to imagine whom the filmmakers had in mind for this lavish production.
It's a slog, an out-of-control fantasy that's strangely unenchanting and, in the end, rather tiresome.
Una aventura cómica y liviana, que se beneficia de la imaginación visual del director Terry Gilliam.
There is much in this film to admire, but it goes by too fast and the story is almost incomprehensible. There is certainly enchantment here, but the story does not do much to hold it together.
The movie is at least twice as good as most people say it is and about half as good as we'd all hoped it would be.
Perfect family entertainment and undoubtedly well worth seeing, but somewhat of a let down.
Related Forums

by: Darko, Donnie 4/6/06
by: MH and THE MOVIES 9/22/05
Pictures
Trailers & Clips
News
posted by Scott Weinberg November 08, 2006
Remember when we told you that some folks were turning the "Terminator" series into a weekly TV show? Well,...
posted by Tim Ryan October 23, 2006
It's a tough time to be a veteran in the indie game. Why are celebrated auteurs David Lynch and Terry Gilliam having a hard...
posted by Gitesh Pandya August 31, 2006
The summer movie season comes to an official end with the Labor Day holiday weekend unleashing three new releases plus...
posted by Gitesh Pandya August 24, 2006
Another wave of new releases hits the multiplexes across North America this weekend in hopes of capturing the final...

Top Critic