Screenplay by
Charles McKeown and Terry Gilliam
Music Composed by
Michael Kamen
World Premiere
December 8, 1988 (West Germany, Europe)
Theatrical Release Date
March 10, 1989
DVD Release Date
April 27, 1999 (original release)
April 8, 2008 (20th anniversary edition)
Production Companies
Columbia Pictures, Laura Film, Prominent Features, Allied Filmmakers
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures
The fantastic tale of a 17th century aristocrat, his talented henchmen and a little girl in their efforts to save a town from defeat by the Turks. Being swallowed by a giant sea monster, a trip to the moon, a dance with Venus and an escape from the Grim Reaper are only a few of his improbable adventures.
King of the Moon
I'm back! I got lips again and I'm gonna use 'em, baby!
King of the Moon
I think, therefore you is.
King of the Moon
You're not here. Where are you? Where-- You're with the Baron! You are with that little
man! You told me size don't make a difference!
King of the Moon
I'm free! I'm free at last! The body is dead! The body is dead, long live the head, it's finished,
finito, heh-heh! Bye, body! Ha-ha! I shall prove a head does not need a body to survive! I am omnipotent, ha-ha!
Yes... Oh! Oh no, I got an itch! Oh, no! Oh no, oh no... ah-chooooooo!
King of the Moon
No, let me go! I've got tides to regulate! Comets to direct! I don't have time for flatulence and
orgasms!
King of the Moon
My kingdom for a handkerchief!
King of the Moon
I'm sorry. You must refer to me by my complete title: King of Everything. Rei di Tutto--but you
may call me Ray.
Robin Williams
King of the Moon
John Neville
Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen
Eric Idle
Desmond/Berthold
Charles McKeown
Rupert/Adolphus
Winston Dennis
Bill/Albrecht
Jack Purvis
Jeremy/Gustavus
Valentina Cortese
Queen Ariadne/Violet
Sarah Polley
Sally Salt
Oliver Reed
Vulcan
Uma Thurman
Venus/Daisy
Jonathan Pryce
The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson
Peter Jeffrey
Sultan
Remarkable. Unbelievable. Impossible. And true.
Adventure, Comedy, Romance. He was full of it.
A true story. We've got the film to prove it.
Bull. He was full of it.
Dates
September 21, 1987 - March 1988
Locations
Belchite, Spain
Aragón, Spain
Zaragoza, Spain
Andalucía, Spain
Almería, Spain
Rome, Italy
Lazio, Italy
West Germany
December 8, 1988
France
March 8, 1989
UK
March 17, 1989
Argentina
May 11, 1989
Australia
May 18, 1989
Japan
June 3, 1989
Philippines
July 15, 1989 (Davao)
Italy
August 1, 1989
Finland
September 8, 1989
Sweden
December 1, 1989
Greece
April 7, 2008 (DVD premiere)
Argentina / Spain
Las aventuras del barón Munchausen
Brazil
As Aventuras do Barão de Münchausen
Serbia
Avanture barona Minhauzena
Sweden
Baron Münchhausens äventyr
Finland
Baron von Munchausens äventyrer (Swedish title)
Paroni von Münchhausenin seikkailut (Finnish/video title)
West Germany
Die Abenteuer des Baron Münchhausen
Israel
Harpatkaotav Shel Ha-Baron Minchauzen
Italy
Le avventure del Barone di Munchausen
France
Les aventures du baron de Munchausen
Hungary
Münchausen báró kalandjai
Greece
Oi peripeteies tou varonou Munchausen
Poland
Przygody barona Munchausena
This title is available on:
DVD (20th Anniversary Edition)DVDVideoCDPoster
The following extra features can be found on the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD:
Commentary with Director Terry Gilliam and co-Writer/Actor Charles McKeown
The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen: An all-new three-part documentary on the making of the film
Storyboard Sequences with all-new vocal performances by Terry Gilliam and Chris McKeown
Deleted Scenes
Music and lyrics for "The Torturer's Apprentice" were written (respectively) by Michael Kamen and Eric Idle.
The role of the King of the Moon was intended for Sean Connery until the role was largely cut. Sean Connery didn't think it was "kingly" enough, thus the role was played by Robin.
The credits list Robin as "Ray D. Tutto." This is the English transliteration of the Italian phrase "Rei di Tutto" which means "King of Everything"--the self-styled title used by the King of the Moon when he introduces himself to the Baron.
Robin performed the part as soon as he arrived in England after a transatlantic flight.
This film became notorious for its many production problems and cost overruns. Making matters worse was a regime change at Columbia Pictures. The new studio heads, not wanting any production from the old regime to "shine", simply buried the film during its U.S. release. There were many markets, especially the smaller ones, in the U.S. where this movie was not booked at all.
Budget
$46,630,000
Gross
$8,083,123 (USA)
N/A (international)
$8,083,123 (total)
Opening Weekend
$597,400 (46 theaters)
Widest Release
120 theaters
In Release
about 13 weeks
Academy Awards
Nom - 1990 - Best Art Direction/Set Decoration
Nom - 1990 - Best Costume Design
Nom - 1990 - Best Visual Effects
Won - 1990 - Best Makeup
BAFTA Awards
Won - 1990 - Best Costume Design
Won - 1990 - Best Makeup Artist
Nom - 1990 - Best Production Design
Nom - 1990 - Best Special Effects
Hugo Awards
Nom - 1990 - Best Dramatic Presentation
