Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’: Brilliant, Comical Escapism of the Most Fantastical Kind

PG | 2h 6min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy | 1989

It seems that eccentric director Terry Gilliam has a few things in common with the equally eccentric 18th-century German writer and librarian Rudolf Erich Raspe. One of Raspe’s more surreal novels, “Baron Münchhausen’s Narrative of his Marvelous Travels and Campaigns in Russia,” follows the adventures of a semi-mythical folk hero, the titular Baron Munchausen. In real life, he was named Hieronymus Karl Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen.

Both Gilliam and Raspe, who lived during the Age of Reason, have had fascinating lives full of imagination and creativity. So, it’s not much of a surprise that Gillian chose to base the third film of his “Trilogy of Imagination” (which includes 1981’s “Time Bandits” and 1985’s “Brazil”) on Raspe’s 1785 book.

A City in Danger

The film kicks off with a sweeping view of a coastline. Fire and smoke waft up from an unnamed European city in the distance, while in the foreground, a massive Ottoman army is encamped. The title cards “late 18th century” and “Age of Reason” are shown as Middle Eastern music plays.

Suddenly, rows of cannons fire as the Ottomans blast away at the city, shattering its buildings and the people within them. When the smoke finally clears, we see bodies being carried away on gurneys and people lamenting the loss of loved ones.

Meanwhile, a stage production is underway that features one of German nobleman Baron Munchausen’s adventures, in order to keep the city’s citizenry distracted from the Ottoman’s siege. Playing Baron Munchausen is a man named Henry Salt (Bill Paterson), whose intelligent daughter Sally (Sarah Polley) critiques his production.

Sally Salt (Sarah Polley) and Baron Munchausen (John Neville) in “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” Columbia Pictures

Between plays, Henry takes a moment to visit with the city’s mayor, The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson (Jonathan Pryce). While exchanging pleasantries, a group of soldiers approaches the mayor with a wounded officer (Sting in a cameo). The mayor recognizes the officer’s heroics during a recent battle—having single-handedly destroyed six of the Ottoman’s cannons and killed ten of their soldiers.

In a display of brutal reasoning, the mayor has the officer summarily executed. As Horatio Jackson sees it, any act of unusual courage might make “ordinary soldiers and citizens” jealous, and make them feel inferior, and he doesn’t want anyone getting “emotional.”

The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson (Jonathan Pryce) is hilariously over-the-top in “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” Columbia Pictures

Henry begins his next stage play, which features the same character once again, Baron Munchausen. In it, Munchausen is visiting the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and being received with respect, because of Munchausen’s esteemed reputation.

The beginning of the play is interrupted by an older gentleman (John Neville), who loudly claims to be the real-life Baron Munchausen. The interloper insists that the play is all wrong and that only he, the real Munchausen, can tell it correctly. He also assures the audience that he is the cause of the Ottomans besieging their city and that he can end the war. As he begins to tell his tale, things shift into a dream-like flashback account of the older Munchausen’s tale.

In the flashback, as Munchausen is entertained by the Sultan of the Ottomans (Peter Jeffrey), they make a wager that could result in the former losing his life if he loses or being awarded a vast treasure if he wins.

Munchausen enlists the services of his dream team, consisting of Adolphus (Charles McKeown), a gunman with super-vision; Berthold (Eric Idle), a runner so fast he could put The Flash to shame; strongman Albrecht (Winston Dennis), who will be tasked with carrying away the Sultan’s treasure should Munchausen win the wager; and Gustavus (Jack Purvis), a dwarf with incredibly keen hearing.

Baron Munchausen (John Neville) being lavishly entertained at the Ottoman court, in “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” Columbia Pictures

Fantasies on Top of Fantasies

This rambunctious and endearing fantasy adventure shows Gilliam’s unrestrained imagination at its finest. Interestingly, the film reportedly went way over budget, which Gilliam blamed on Columbia Pictures’s tumultuous internal politics at the time. Indeed, the film was regarded by many to be one of the worst financial flops in cinema history up to the 1980s, although it was well received by critics.

With impeccable acting and directing, brilliantly witty dialogue and situations, and impressive backdrops and special effects, “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” is a fantastic movie that will transport viewers to surreal locales and allow for escapism of the most convincing kind. Just be aware that despite its PG rating, this is definitely an adult fantasy and isn’t suitable for children.

‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ Director: Terry Gilliam Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley MPAA Rating: PG Running Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes Release Date: March 10, 1989 Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5