Mazes and Monsters - Tom Hanks Freaks Out

A clip from an early TV Movie starring a young Tom Hanks, in which his fascination with Role-Playing Games leads him down the toboggan ride to insanity.

One thing you'll notice here is that, while the material is the worst sort of sensationalist panic-mongering, Hanks is actually pretty damned good even in this early performance. He's a great guy and this is not meant to make fun of him.

However, seeing a respected actor perform truly laughable material is always good for a chuckle. One viewing and you'll quickly see that his Oscars for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump" were just to make up for how this performance was shamefully overlooked.

• Category

  Entertainment

[ArkanRow]

I really envy you for having such a great older brother, capable of having fun with friends gathered around a table.

I know it's sad for you to be unable to understand how a man can have fun almost for free, even in his 30s, but don't worry little fellow, don't be sad, one day thou shall understand the Words of The Great Elders, and you'll be free again.

Moron. Have respect for the alternative ways of entertainment.

[koncorde]

And yet you played it.

[S S]

"Remember that time we went into a cave and I made Robbie go insane by shouting 'Gorvil!' over and over? Best adventure ever.'

[ndefalco]

Why is this scene not up there with, "No, not the beeeeeeeeeeeees!" and "Oh my gooooooooooooood!"?

[condorX2]

tom hank just kill a man wearing a swamp monster mask! ther terror!

[phrobozz]

This film was made in the early '80s when D&D, and RPGs in general, were first becoming a cultural phenomenon. America was overrun with lunatic evangelicals (like today, but WAAAAY worse) who tried to convince everyone that satanism was taking over the world. Ozzy Osbourne, D&D, hippies, black clothing, black Converse, Ankhs, and basically anything that wasn't explicitly pro-Christian was labelled satanic. It was a really weird time to be young.

[kev3d]

How do I explain that you get "all the sex you want"? Because playing Dungeons and Dragons does not preclude you from HAVING a vagina. You could be into classifying amoebas while listening to Tiny Tim albums and still easily get laid; that is the woman's privilege. Besides, you are so young, attractive, sexed-up and fulfilled in life, who are you trying to convince? A stranger who thinks D&D is a silly game, or yourself?

[laramp87]

I am a young, attractive female and I get all the sex I need or want, but I play DnD. How do you explain that? Oh, and I go to anime conventions, I cosplay, I've seen all Stargate and Star Trek series, I play Magic, and I still have all of my Legos. Does that make me an immature, sexless nerd? No! I attended university, I own my own house, and I'm dating an equally fun and sexy guy.

[bummer Fu]

Not thing wrong with acting crazy Hank? not in real life I hope!

[Chubachus]

He isnt that bad here guys

[UCEBuster]

Bless weapon + critical hit

[Ranatosk]

1:11 "And lo, i have slain it without thine help, therefore i am bequeathed solo XPs."