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 11 wins & 10 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:

sea monster | siege | journey to the moon | goddess | floating head | 

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Taglines:

A true story. We've got the film to prove it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

A lot of the animals for the film died and had to be replaced.

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Goofs

In the opening scenes, a family is seen sheltering under the head of the horse near the remaining statue of the horse's body. When the camera take an overhead view of the scene, the horse's head is nowhere to be seen.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Baron Munchausen: Open the gates!

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Crazy Credits

This is a new motion picture. This motion picture is not to be confused with the UFA/Transit/Murnau 1942/43 motion picture bearing the title 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen'.

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Alternate Versions

Recent prints, including home video reissues, have included a new card during the end. It has been inserted between the end title and "The End" and reads: "This is a new motion picture. This motion picture is not to be confused with the UFA/Transit/Murnau 1942/43 motion picture bearing the title 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen'." This refers to the German production of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen that was made during the Nazi era and underwent restoration by the F.W. Murnau Foundation during the 1990s.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

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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.

Details

Country:

UK West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Filming Locations:

Playa de Monsul, Cabo de Gata, Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$46,630,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$597,400, 12 March 1989

Gross USA:

$8,083,123

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,083,123

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prominent Features, Laura Film, Allied Filmmakers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1