Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Gilliam co-directed this classic comedy with fellow Python member Terry Jones, and his love for surrealism and social commentary is on display in the context of the rather silly tale of King Arthur’s bumbling knights.

Brazil (1985) Gilliam’s hallucinatory fantasy set in a dystopian future is still considered his masterpiece, and has become a beloved cult classic. But he battled for months with the studio to even get the film released, and had to deal with a butchered ending that’s only been restored over time thanks to critical and fan outcry.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) This fable about the world’s greatest liar cemented Gilliam’s reputation for production difficulties, with budget overruns, fights with producers and an eventual very limited release from a hostile studio. Gilliam’s stories of artistic eccentrics fighting against rigid systems have clearly mirrored his own struggles.

12 Monkeys (1995) Gilliam’s most commercially successful film may also be his best; the dark sci-fi tale of time travel and epidemic is full of startling plot twists and anchored by great performances from Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe and the Oscar-nominated Brad Pitt. It’s a fast-paced blockbuster run through with a deep streak of nihilism.

Lost in La Mancha (2002) This documentary about Gilliam’s ill-fated attempts to make a film about Don Quixote shows just how precarious filmmaking can be, and how a combination of freak occurrences can kill a movie entirely. It’s a fascinating depiction of Gilliam’s legendary bad luck.