Known for their surreal atmospheres and psychological unrest, Terry Gilliam’s films tend to be a love or hate proposition. Love or hate his work, there’s no denying Gilliam’s talent as a storyteller. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was his first film after Brazil and Gilliam’s well documented battle for the final cut.

Based on the stories of Baron Munchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe, Gilliam adapted the screenplay with Charles McKeown. An extravagant fantasy that cost twice its original budget, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was largely ignored at the box office. Referred to by Gilliam as the third in his “trilogy of the imagination” after Time Bandits and Brazil. Each of these films feature a protagonist who escapes reality in favor of fantasy. Each of these stories is told by a male in a different stage of life, that of a boy, a man and elderly senior, respectively.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen tells the story of an 18th-century nobleman (John Neville), who became known as a teller of tall tales and his group of quirky friends. Framed around a play being performed in a city under siege by the Turkish Army. The performance is interrupted by an elderly man claiming to be the real Baron Munchausen. He protests the plays man inaccuracies. He launches into his own version of events, explaining how he inadvertently started the current war.

Another assault by the Turks leaves Munchausen near death. Young Sally Salt (Sarah Polley) saves his life. He eventually agrees to resolve the situation. Stealing away with Sally, Munchausen and his friends go on a series of adventures, including a flight on a balloon made of ladies’ undergarments, a run in with the king of the moon (Robin Williams reportedly improvised much of his dialogue), a meeting with Greek Gods and being eaten by a giant sea monster. Whew!

Like Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen offers several scenes that add up to a loose plot. All these fantastical stories are fun, they’re long winded and the movie should have ended a half-hour earlier than it does. Terry Gilliam seems to get lost in his own world of creativity. While the film starts out strong, offering moments of fun and whimsy, things peter out at the midway point. The plot (such as it is), gets lost in a mess of fantastical elements.

Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Criterion has delivered a solid 2160p UHD transfer. Sharpness is strong throughout. Grain looks filmic and natural. Some wide shots reveal a slight softness, but much of the film looks concise. The print is clean throughout. Colors pop and enhance the cinematography of Giuseppe Rotunno (a Fellini favorite) and the glorious production design of Dante Ferretti. Blacks are deep and inky. Shadow detail is effective, with sharp clarity even in low-light shots. Contrast is pleasing. Viewers should be very pleased with this presentation.

Given its age, the Master Audio 5.1 surround mix is surprisingly immersive, effectively delineating dialogue and ambient effects throughout. Dialogue is clear and concise, while effects are well layered. Michael Kamen’s lovely score has never sounded better.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following special features are included:

4K BLU-RAY DISC

  • Audio Commentary with Director Terry Gilliam and Actor/Writer Charles McKeown: Recorded in 2008, this has appeared on various home media releases before. Gillam and McKeown discuss various aspects of the film and production difficulties.

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

  • Audio Commentary with Director Terry Gilliam and Actor/Writer Charles McKeown: See above.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

  • The Madness and Misadventures of “Munchausen” (HD, 1:12:18) Presented in three parts, it gives us movie clips, archival pieces and interviews, providing a deep dive into the production of the film.
  • Special Effects (HD, 16:10) Narrated by Terry Gilliam in 2022, we get a look at the film’s visuals in various stages.
  • Deleted Scenes (HD) Four in total. “The Rules of Warfare” (0:51), “Extended Fish Sequence” (0:56), “Mutiny Onstage” (0:57) and “Gull and Turkey Leg/Alternate Opening” (1:09).
  • Storyboards for Unfilmed Scenes (HD, 29:35) Three in total: “The Baron Saves Sally”, “A Voyage to the Moon”, and “The Baron & Bucephalus Charge the Turkish Gates.” With introductions by Terry Gilliam and actor/writer Charles McKeown.
  • Marketing “Munchausen” (HD) Terry Gilliam reads and comments.
  1. Preview Cards (11:50)
  2. Taglines (3:51)
  3. Meet Baron Munchausen (4:16)
  4. Production Featurette (7:59)
  5. Trailer
  • The Astonishing (And Really True) History of Baron Munchausen (HD, 17:20) A video essay from critic David Cairns.
  • The South Bank Show (HD, 47:09) A 1991 episode that covers Terry Gilliam’s life and career.
  • Miracle of Flight (HD, 5:24) a 1974 animated short film directed by Terry Gilliam.
  • Leaflet: An illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic and author Michael Koresky as well as technical credits.