The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

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It's not often a film like Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus comes along. Not only is the film itself a work of art, but the backstage drama that comes along with it (including the death of Heath Ledger during filming) are enough to warrant a ten part mini-series of it's own.

It's been a long time coming, but fans of the former Python have finally been given a taste of a the film which was expected to vanish into non-existance after Heath Ledger tragically passed away.

The film is set to be a complicated one however. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary "Imaginarium" (a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom).

Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr Nick, in which he won immortality. Many centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the property of Mr Nick.

Terry Gilliam made the tough decision to keep going without his leading man (who worked together on The Brothers Grimm), announcing that Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law would all step in to help complete Ledger’s final film.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus floats into Australian cinemas October 29, 2009

The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus is the last film to feature Heath Ledger