This has to be one of my favorite films. It starts with the siege of Vienna by the Turks, where a play is interrupted by Baron Munchausen. He says the Turkish sultan is angry with him. This anger is the cause of the war, and he's going to set things right. The recollection of the Baron's run-in with the Sultan is a delicious exercise in absurdity which introduces his lost servants: Berthold, the fastest man alive; Adolphus, who has amazing vision and is a crack shot; Albrecht, who has enormous strength; and Gustavus, who has powerful lungs.
From there, the story takes flight (literally) to the moon and back, to the depths of Mt. Vesuvius, to the belly of a collosal fish, and back to Vienna.
Along the way, we meet an incredibly talented cast of actors portraying wild characters. Two stand out: Robin Williams in an uncredited performance as the mad king of the Moon, and Oliver Reed chewing the scenery as the grumpy god, Vulcan. Uma Thurman is, of course, breathtakingly beautiful.
The most charming thing for me was that the Baron seems to shape reality with his stories. You'll quickly see that actors playing the gods, goddesses and servants you meet later in the story have duel roles; they're also playing "actors" in a play performed in besieged Vienna -- a play about Baron Munchausen. So this story has layers and layers of story and fantasy wrapped around each other.
One word of caution: If you are a parent of young children, and don't want to have to explain what the words "orgasms" and "whore" mean, then think twice about sharing it with your kids. I wasn't expecting that language. My 11-year old asked about the language, my 7-year-old was too enthralled by the story to care. But I found this movie a delight all around. I think you will, too.
(131 customers reviews)
Customers Rating=4.5 / 5.0
More Detail For The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu ray
- ISBN13: 0043396162198
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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