At the time of its production, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was one of the most expensive films ever made. This was due to the elaborate and imaginative sets, costumes, makeup and visual special effects, each of which were eventually nominated for Academy Awards.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is both a fantasy and a low-key comedy, with the outlandish feel (and excesses) of past classics such as The Wizard of Oz (1939) and The Thief of Baghdad (1940).

Like both of those early, expensive color productions, the story is based on classic literature. There actually was a Baron Munchausen who fought the Turks, an eighteenth century cavalry officer fond of embellishing his war stories. He became the hero of a series of stories written by Rudolph Erich Raspe.

These stories became famous enough across Europe to inspire four different film productions of the stories, each produced in a different country and by a different generation. Something of an 'age of reason' James Bond, the Baron also romanced ladies and confounded enemies in a silent French film from 1911, a German film from 1943 conscripted by Nazi Propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, and a Czech version from 1961.

At over two hours, the film is lengthy and uneven, dragging in the middle but recovering towards the end. Being a fantasy, it is useless to mention that the moon isn't actually a crescent, one cannot live indefinitely in the stomach of a 'great fish', and you can't survive a descent to Earth into the heart of a volcano. All of these special effects stunts are unbelievable but nonetheless very entertaining.

Much of the fun comes from recognizing famous actors who show up in unexpected supporting roles. Robin Williams steals scenes as a headless 'king of the moon'. Bearish Oliver Reed is perfectly cast as Vulcan, god of the vulcanoes. A young Uma Thurman will disappoint no one as the goddess Aphrodite. Pop singer Sting shows up as a war hero, and Jonathan Pryce plays the petty, vengeful mayor of the Turk-besieged city.

The Mayor believes in reason and order to such a degree that anyone not exhibiting such qualities will be executed. He is an ideal foil for the Baron, who lives in a world without reason, or even purpose other than finding adventure.

Somebody has to keep the Baron on the right path. Serving as his conscience and sidekick is Sally Salt (Sarah Polley), a child who actually believes his stories. Polley would later achieve stardom as the sad-eyed paraplegic in The Sweet Hereafter, but she is just as credible as a child actress here. Her father, Michael Polley, has a bit part as a guard.

Director Terry Gilliam has said that The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is the third leg of a loose trilogy, along with Time Bandits and Brazil. These films have in common the use of imagination throughout various ages, with the Baron representing old age. Several of the supporting actors had appeared in both of the previous films, but as different characters. Gilliam and supporting actor Eric Idle may still be best known for their legendary British television series Monty Python's Flying Circus

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is not for everyone, as its episodic nature leads to frequent starts and stalls. As in an old Warner Bros. Road Runner cartoon, there is liberal license taken with the laws of physics. But if you are both patient and forgiving, you will be rewarded with a unique and highly imaginative film. (77/100)


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8