IMDb > The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 60 | slideshow) Videos (see all 17 NEW)
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) -- A story-telling doctor's deal with the devil sends him scrambling to save his daughter on the eve of her 16th birthday.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) -- Clip: Ahh, you're right, love is beautiful
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) -- Trailer for this magnificent visual journey from Director Terry Gilliam
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) -- Movieplayer.it - Italian Trailer (Flash)
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) -- MovieMaze.de - Trailer (Quicktime & Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   3,914 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Terry Gilliam
Writers:
Terry Gilliam (written by)
Charles McKeown (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 October 2009 (Bulgaria) more
Plot:
A traveling theater company gives its audience much more than they were expecting. | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(346 articles)
Doctor Parnassus One-Sheet
 (From CanMag. 11 November 2009, 12:44 AM, PST)

Terry Gilliam Says 'Good Omens' Could Still Happen
 (From FEARnet. 10 November 2009, 6:30 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Good film but not for everyone more (28 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Johnny Depp ... Tony (1st transformation)

Heath Ledger ... Tony

Colin Farrell ... Tony (3rd transformation)

Jude Law ... Tony (2nd transformation)

Christopher Plummer ... Dr. Parnassus

Lily Cole ... Valentina

Tom Waits ... Mr. Nick

Andrew Garfield ... Anton

Verne Troyer ... Percy

Quinn Lord ... 9 Year Old Son

Paloma Faith ... Sally

Cassandra Sawtell ... Olga (unconfirmed)

Carrie Genzel ... Journalist

Michael Eklund ... Tony's Aid

Brad Dryborough ... Repulsed Diner

Ryan Grantham ... Little Anton

Johnny Harris ... Policeman
Mark Benton ... Dad
Simon Day ... Inspector
Mackenzie Gray ... Substitute Monk

Michael Jonsson ... Paramedic #2

Fraser Aitcheson ... Dancing Policeman

Ian A. Wallace ... Fourth Monk

Richard Riddell ... Martin

Peter New ... Paramedic #1

Joseph Cintron ... Monk
Vitaly Kravchenko ... Piotr
John Snowden ... Chauffer
Erika Conway ... Mother at Puppet Show
Igor Ingelsman ... Gregor
Richard Shanks ... Martin's Friend
David Smallbone ... Sally's friend #2
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
L'Imaginarium du Docteur Parnassus (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking.
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
France | Canada | UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS
Certification:
USA:PG-13 | Norway:11 | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)
Company:
Davis-Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The first film that Terry Gilliam storyboarded himself since The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988). more
Quotes:
Tony: Don't believe everything you read. Especially The Mirror. more
Movie Connections:
Edited into "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: (#17.4)" (2009) more

FAQ

Is it true that Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell have decided to donate their earnings from this movie to Matilda Ledger?
How will the death of Heath Ledger affect this film?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
Good film but not for everyone, 6 November 2009
9/10
Author: Laura Seabrook from Australia

I saw this film on the way home after a trip to Sydney. I was run-down, slightly feverish and head-achy, but none of that interfered with my enjoyment of the film.

I'd actually forgotten that the film'd been released but when I saw the choices available it was the logical choice. I missed 1 minute of the opening credits but for once that wasn't a crucial thing. This being a Terry Gilliam film, you know it's going to be a) fantastic in a classic sense, b) complicated with many red herrings and original characters, and c) something you can watch more than once.

I was not disappointed. It took a while before I followed what was happening and that's part of the charm of this film. The story (really a parable or allegory) is built up in layers and seemed to me perfectly cast (even allowing for Ledger's "ring-ins" after his untimely death). I particularly like the play between Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and Mr Nick (Tom Waits). I found it interesting to see the visual influences in this film as well. The fantasy segments all have the mark of the director's animation days with Monty Python. There's also a Harry Potter influence in that Parnassus's wagon/theater looks like something from one of those films, and Parnassus himself reminded me strongly of a drunk Dumbledore.

But this is NOT a film for everyone. The ending is NOT a Hollywood style "happy ending" by any means, but one that reflects on the nature of life. Anyone expecting this film to be a bit of "holiday entertainment" will be sorely disappointed, as the plot is not as predictable and the clichés used in the film aren't the sort you usually see.

A top film that makes one think.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
This film is not for everyone - I lasted 30 mins jamie147
The GREAT Christopher Plummer cassbtt
Chanelling Carnivāle? Carcinos
When does it come out? gazzer86
New clip: Heath Ledger + Lily Cole Bozkart
You are going to be disappointed, half my theater LEFT! houdinisquared
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