The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
THE ADVENTURES OF BARON
MUNCHAUSEN (PG)
D: Terry Gilliam
Columbia/Allied/Prominent Features/Laura Film (Thomas
Schühly)
USA/Germany 🇺🇸🇩🇪 1988 (released 1989)
126 mins
Fantasy/Adventure
W: Charles McKeown & Terry Gilliam [based on the story
by Rudolph Erich Raspe]
DP: Giuseppe Rotunno
Ed: Peter Hollywood
Mus: Michael Kamen
PD: Dante Ferretti
Cos: Gabriella Pescucci
John Neville (Baron Munchausen), Sarah Polley (Sally
Salt), Eric Idle (Berthold / Desmond), 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), Uma Thurman (Venus / Rose), Robin Williams (The King of the Moon)
The Bavarian adventures had been brought to the
screen previously, but none of the prior versions were quite as grandiose as this.
An 18th century German soldier tells exaggerated
stories of his escapades, including an on-going feud with The King of the Moon, and his conflict against the Ottoman Empire.
This movie was huge box-office flop, losing the
studio $38m, and it's quite clear to see that ex-Python Terry Gilliam spared no expense bringing this to the screen. The sad thing is, it's actually not that bad and the
production design, costumes, makeup and visual effects are all top notch. I can only assume that its place on the worst film of all time lists is purely down to the fact that it
couldn't find an audience during its cinema run. Gilliam's imagination is vivid and colourful, while the story makes a decent fairytale for older children and young adults, with a
sense of humour which should appease fans of Monty Python. Despite it lacking profitability, it was well received by critics in general, as well as the industry come awards season.
Sometimes audiences just aren't as appreciative as the filmmaker's wished they were.
6/10
Did
You Know:
Forms an informal trilogy with director Terry Gilliam's
previous films, Time Bandits (1981) and Brazil (1985). The three movies represent the three stages of Man (youth, middle age, and elderly) and the impact of imagination on each. Jack Purvis
also appears in all three films.
Award Wins & Nominations:
MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:
Wins: 2 (Best Costume Design, Best Makeup Design)
Nominations: 2 (Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects)
OSCARS:
Wins: none
Nominations: 4 (Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Visual Effects)
BAFTAS
Wins: 3 (Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Production Design)
Nominations: Best Special Effects
OTHER WINS:
Golden Ciak Awards (Best Costume Design, Best Production Design); Silver Ribbon (Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design); 20/20 Awards (Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Production Design)