Terry Gilliam: Ranking His Films From Worst To Best
7. The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen
From the fractured psyche of an abandoned young girl to the fantastical reveries of an old man, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen lightens the mood as much as it ups the ante in its scope and ambition. Fantasy and reality collide in what is perhaps Terry Gilliam's most out and out entertaining cinematic romp, following the titular Baron from one tall tale to the next. Opening amidst the cannons and smoke of warfare in a late 18th century unnamed city, we begin - appropriately enough - in a run-down theatre, where a production of Baron Munchhausen's life story is taking place. A man proclaiming to be the real Baron interrupts, and proceeds to regale the audience with logic-defying stories of his adventures. As the assault on the town continues and the Angel of Death closes in, the storyteller becomes the story, and together with a band of eccentric companions - accompanied by the theatre owner's daughter Sally Salt (Sarah Polley, who recently wrote and directed the remarkable documentary Stories We Tell) - the Baron sets off to bring an end to the war. From the giant king and queen of the moon who remove their heads so as not to mix up the intellectual with the carnal, to giant sea monsters and the Goddess Venus, the increasingly improbable action culminates in a grand battle against the marauding Turks. The production woes of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen has achieved near legendary status in the annals of movie history - over budget by millions and considered a harrowing experience by many of those involved, it was inadequately marketed and ended up being a commercial flop. And yet, the film itself is a real gem - vibrant and colourful with an outstanding production design from Dante Ferretti, wonderfully acted particularly John Neville's central performance and beautifully paced from start to finish. For a film made in 1988, the effects are as engaging and appealing as many of the CG-laden blockbusters released in the 21st century indeed, they possess a charm that many movies today often lack - and it's so much fun to watch. Rarely has a film so beset with troubles turned out so polished and rounded.
