The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writers:

Charles McKeown (screenplay), Terry Gilliam (screenplay),

Stars:

John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Neville	...	Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen
Eric Idle	...	Desmond / Berthold
Sarah Polley	...	Sally Salt
Oliver Reed	...	Vulcan
Charles McKeown	...	Rupert / Adolphus
Winston Dennis	...	Bill / Albrecht
Jack Purvis	...	Jeremy / Gustavus
Valentina Cortese	...	Queen Ariadne / Violet
Jonathan Pryce	...	The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson
Bill Paterson	...	Henry Salt
Peter Jeffrey	...	Sultan
Uma Thurman	...	Venus / Rose
Alison Steadman	...	Daisy
Ray Cooper	...	Functionary
Don Henderson	...	Commander

Storyline

The fantastic tale of an 18th century aristocrat, his talented henchmen and a little girl in their efforts to save a town from defeat by the Turks. Being swallowed by a giant sea-monster, a trip to the moon, a dance with Venus and an escape from the Grim Reaper are only some of the improbable adventures.

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Plot Keywords:

baron | moon | escape | monster | european | 

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Taglines:

From the director of "Time Bandits" and "Brazil" a new movie full of NOISE...FLYING OBJECTS...SEAFOOD...CELEBRITIES...COMPASSION...TRAVEL...HONOR...GRAVITY...BULL...he was full of it. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las aventuras del barón Munchausen

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$46,630,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$8,083,123 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Prominent Features, Laura Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Terry Gilliam has admitted that he wasted the talents of highly regarded British actress Alison Steadman in a tiny role.

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Goofs

When the Baron is being carried off by Vulcan, you can see a wire attached to the tail of his coat.

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Quotes

Baron Munchausen: I'm Baron Munchausen!
Berthold: That sounds nasty. Is it contagious?

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Crazy Credits

The King of The Moon - Ray D. Tutto (homonym of Italian re' di tutto=king of all). The actor's real name is Robin Williams.

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Connections

Referenced in 29th Telluride Film Festival Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 2002: Terry Gilliam Interviewed by Salman Rushdie (2003)

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Soundtracks

"The Torturer's Apprentice"
Music & Lyrics by Michael Kamen & Eric Idle
Used by the permission of K Man Corporation & Kay-Gee-Bee Music Limited

User Reviews

One of the Most Delightful, Non-Sense and Visually Stunning Fantasies

In the late Eighteenth Century, a European town is under siege of the Turkish army. Meanwhile, the theater company owned by Henry Salt (Bill Paterson) entertains the dwellers with the production of "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen". Out of the blue, an old man interrupts the presentation claiming that he is Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen (John Neville) and he tells that he is the one to be blamed by the Turkish attack.

The Baron Munchausen tells how he had won a bet against the Sultan (Petter Jeffrey) with the abilities of his servants Berthold (Eric Idle); Adolphus (Charles McKeown}; Albrecht (Winston Dennis); and Gustavus (Jack Purvis) and earned his treasure. Further, he offers to help the locals against the Turks and builds a balloon to seek out his missing servants.

During his journey, he finds the girl Sally (Sarah Polley) hidden in the balloon and they travel to the moon, where they meet the deranged King of the Moon Roger (Robin Williams) with his detachable head, and his wife, the Queen of the Moon Ariadne (Valentina Cortese) that has a crush on the Baron. They are arrested by the jealous Roger and find Berthold in the cage, but Ariadne releases them. When they escape from the moon, they meet Adolphus working to Vulcan (Oliver Reed) inside a volcano. The Baron Munchausen seduces the gorgeous Vulcan's wife Venus (Uma Thurman) and the jealous god throws them in a whirlpool. They are swallowed by a monster and they meet Albrecht and Gustavus in a ship inside the monster. They escape and return to the town to help the people against the invaders. But they are very old and their abilities are gone.

"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" is one of the most delightful, non- sense and visually stunning fantasies of cinema history. "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" is also among my favorite books of my childhood and I first saw this film in the late 80's and then on VHS. I have just bought the imported DVD that surprisingly has Portuguese subtitles and today I have seen this film again.

Terry Gilliam directs with his peculiar surrealistic and ironic style and uses magnificent special effects for a 1988 film. It is amazing to realize that twenty-three years have passed since this film was released. The sweet Sarah Polley shows her talent with a great performance in one lead role. Uma Thurman is in the top of her eternal beauty. Robin Williams is an unknown actor and uncredited in the role of Roger, The King of the Moon. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "As Aventuras do Barão de Münchausen" ("The Adventures of Baron Munchausen")