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:

Remarkable. Unbelievable. Impossible. And true.

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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:  [burst]  the Baron and his horse.

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Goofs

While on the boat flying to the moon, the Baron's phrase "bodily activities" is dubbed.

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Quotes

Baron Munchausen: Gentlemen! Don't you think it would be a good idea to silence those enemy cannons?
Gunner: No, sir.
Baron Munchausen: No?
Gunner: It's Wednesday.

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Crazy Credits

Man of the match David Tomblin.

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Connections

Referenced in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Bye Bye Nerdy (2005)

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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

Wonderful Nonsense (a forgotten classic?)

A young Sarah Polly is swept on a grand storybook adventure when her father's theater is visited by the source of its drama; the real Baron himself (perfectly played by John Neville). The town is under siege by the Turks and only Munchausen and his band of curious adventurers can save it, so long as Death or a doctor doesn't catch him.

Terry Gilliam, having hit his stride with the 1984-and-a-half classic Brazil, went on to fulfill his ultimate fantasy film with a great cast of actors (Jonathan Price included), beautifully detailed sets and costumes, and a very strange yarn of a tale indeed. Bit parts are filled out by Robin Williams, the late Oliver Reed (seen most recently as Proximo in Gladiator) serving up a fiery Vulcan - husband to a young (not to mention stunning) Uma Thurman as Venus.

A great deal of the magic that sparkled in Brazil seems to have been rekindled here, and while it may have been panned at the time of its release, time has treated it well. The effects have that pre-cg feeling that makes me warm and fuzzy inside, and while its a little slow to get started, it surprises around every turn.

Fans of Gilliam's work (and those who still possess that curious inner child) will find much to enjoy here - even if it is nothing more than wonderful nonsense.