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:

Bull. He was full of it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robin Williams played the King of the Moon. The credits list "Ray D. Tutto". This is the English transliteration of the Italian phrase "Re di Tutto", which means "King of Everything", which was how the King of the Moon introduces himself to the Baron. Robin Williams performed the part as soon as he arrived in England after a transatlantic flight.

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Goofs

During the long pull-back shot which shows how deep in the Sultan's camp the Baron is being held, extras quickly move together as the camera moves back to cover the dolly track on the ground, but frequently do not succeed.

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Quotes

Baron Munchausen: The funny thing is their heads don't always see eye-to-eye.

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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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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

Referenced in A Certain Magical Pimpdex: Extended Edition (2019)

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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

really something

"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" has Terry Gilliam written all over it. The fantasy, the cleverness, and everything else. To me, the movie is looking at the challenge of distinguishing reality from fantasy, what with the possibility that the baron's stories just might be true. But whether or not they are, the movie is still really something. I personally think that Terry Gilliam has never gotten the credit that he deserves as a director (surely we have to agree that "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was infinitely better than any Jean-Claude Van Damme movie).

Anyway, this is one movie that you're sure to like. Since I first saw it, John Neville has had some neat roles ("The X Files", "Urban Legend", "Sunshine"). Also starring Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed, Jonathan Pryce, Uma Thurman and an uncredited Robin Williams.

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