The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

My Review

Director-screenwriter Terry Gilliam (“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” 1975) tries to create a motion picture based on the wartime exploits of a German nobleman against the Ottoman Empire. The supposed fantasy-adventure-comedy “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” fails to be a fantasy, an adventure, or a comedy. Gilliam demonstrates unfocused direction and just plain bad writing.

There are some prominent actors in this turkey: John Neville, Sarah Polley, Eric Idle, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver Reed, Uma Thurman, Bill Paterson, Jack Purvis, Robin Williams, Ray Cooper, Allison Steadman, and a cameo by Sting.

“The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” got four Oscar nods (Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Visual Effects), getting the thumbs up from the Academy voters. However, this production got the thumbs down from the general public as it was a huge flop at the box office for LauraFilm, Allied Filmmakers, and Columbia Pictures. It was filmed at CineCitta Studios in Roma.