Question 1

True or false: Gilliam directed the film 'The Dark Crystal' alongside Jim Henson.

Accepted Answer

False. That film was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Gilliam has no involvement with it.

Question 2

True or false: Gilliam's film 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' was a massive box office hit.

Accepted Answer

False. It was a notorious financial flop, nearly bankrupting its production company and becoming a cult classic later.

Question 3

True or false: Gilliam's film 'Brazil' was initially rejected by Universal Pictures for being too dark.

Accepted Answer

True. Universal wanted a happy ending; Gilliam fought a famous battle with studio head Sid Sheinberg to keep his original cut.

Question 4

True or false: Terry Gilliam was the only American-born member of Monty Python.

Accepted Answer

True. Born in Minnesota, Gilliam moved to the UK and joined the Pythons, bringing his surreal animated interludes.

Question 5

True or false: Terry Gilliam won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short for 'The Crimson Permanent Assurance'.

Accepted Answer

False. That short was part of 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life' but never won an Oscar; it wasn't even nominated.

Question 6

True or false: Gilliam originally studied physics at university before switching to arts.

Accepted Answer

True. He studied physics at Occidental College but later graduated with a degree in political science, not arts.

Question 7

True or false: Terry Gilliam directed the music video for the Beatles' 'Strawberry Fields Forever'.

Accepted Answer

False. That video was directed by Peter Webb. Gilliam did collaborate with the Beatles on the 'Yellow Submarine' animated sequences.

Question 8

True or false: Gilliam was once offered the chance to direct 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' but turned it down.

Accepted Answer

True. He was Warner Bros.' first choice but declined, saying he didn't want to be trapped in a franchise for years.

Terry Gilliam Trivia Questions