"One of the greatest fantasy films of all time ..." TERRY GILLIAM ran into more than the usual share of problems directing "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen," which he co-wrote. Filming on location in places including Rome gave the film a sense of atmosphere. It also gave it a sense of being bilked out of millions by the locals. That and Gilliam's fantastical designs caused the little film to run hugely overbudget. Its final release to a handful of theaters with minimal promotion clinched its standing as one of the great box-office disasters of all time. Thus it might seem odd to suggest that the film is also one of the greatest fantasy films of all time. But we think the Baron, who overcomes everything from the gods to war to death itself, is simply magic. |
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 The film stars John Neville, with Sarah Polley, Eric Idle, Uma Thurman, Jack Purvis, Charles MacKeown, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver Reed, and an uncredited Robin Williams. 
The Criterion laserdisc of the film contains deleted scenes (including an extended cameo by Gilliam), and a look at the film's special effects.             
Lyrics for "The Torturer's Apprentice" were written by Eric Idle. An extended version of the mini-opera appears on the soundtrack album (score by Michael Kamen). "What will become of the Baron? Surely this time there is no escape ..." This is the first Terry Gilliam-directed film that Michael Palin does not appear in. Palin was supposed to play the Prime Minister of the Moon, in scenes that were too expensive to shoot. Due to poor production the film was overbudget before it even started shooting! Gilliam was furious. In particular the moon sequence had to be shot on a smaller budget, and was saved due to the improv of Robin Williams. Fans will also want to check out "Brazil," "The Fisher King," "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," and every other one of the amazing films Terry Gilliam has made.                    |
         
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