The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Based on German folk legends, this film is about an 18th century aristocrat who is full of stories about his incredible exploits. Veteran stage actor John Neville plays the witty Baron who finds himself in a run-down city under siege by the Turks. He sees a performance based on his own stories, but because he disagrees with their interpretation, he corrects them, and the fiction he tells become real-life happenings. Some of these fantastic tales include bets with sultans, clashes with Gods, and a voyage to the Moon.

These classic stories have been translated into various films during the lifespan of cinema, most notably the 1943 Weimar feature. While others may be more faithful to the original material, none captures the adventurous spirit or visionary vistas as well as Gilliam's picture. The film's development was problematic and ran considerably over budget, and it was, sadly, a box office flop. However, in recent years, the film's reputation has grown dramatically, and it is now regarded as one of Gilliam's best works.

Detailed information:

Director: Terry Gilliam

Stars: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley

Release dates: 8 December 1988

Running time: 126 minutes

Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096764