The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Short description
The film follows the ageing Baron Munchausen as he interrupts a theatrical performance of his own adventures in a city under siege by the Turks. Claiming that only he can save the townspeople, he sets out with a young girl named Sally and a troupe of actors to find his former companions, whose extraordinary abilities once made his impossible feats possible. Their journey carries them off the familiar map and through a series of fantastical encounters.
Terry Gilliam directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Charles McKeown, drawing on Rudolf Erich Raspe's tales; it was the sixth of the fourteen films he has directed, arriving between Brazil and The Fisher King. John Neville plays the Baron, with Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed, Charles McKeown and Winston Dennis among the credited cast of thirty-four, supported by a crew of 236. Gilliam's elaborate production, made across several countries, carried a budget of 47 million dollars and returned about 8 million worldwide.
The film holds a 7.1 rating on IMDb from 60,000 votes and a 7 rating on TMDB from 1,040 votes. A critics' rating of 7.3 from 60 reviews places it close to the audience scores, so the divide between its original commercial performance and its later standing among viewers of Gilliam's work is not one that critics and audiences appear to share.
What's left behind the scenes
- The role of the Moon King was intended for Sean Connery. But after the role was significantly reduced, it was played by Robin Williams.
- The film is based on the tales of Baron Munchausen, as presented in the books by Rudolf Erich Raspe and Gottfried August Bürger.
- The Baron's horse is named "Bucephalus"—like the horse of Alexander the Great.
- Prior to the film's release in the United States, a change in leadership occurred at Columbia Pictures, resulting in the film being shown in a very limited number of theaters. Consequently, the film grossed only $8 million.
- The film’s initial budget was doubled – from $23.5 million to $46.63 million.
- Robin Williams is credited as Ray D. Tutto. This is an English transliteration of the Italian phrase Re di Tutto, which means "King of Everything"—this is how the Moon King introduces himself to Baron Munchausen upon their meeting. Williams' management forbade the use of his name in the credits, fearing that the film would be primarily promoted based on Williams' participation.
- The film completes an unofficial trilogy by Terry Gilliam, begun with "Time Bandits" (1981) and "Brazil" (1985). These films depict three stages of a person's life—youth, maturity, and old age.
- Christopher Lambert’s role was completely cut from the film.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
