Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 22, 2022

Terry Gilliam's "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by the director and actor/writer Charles McKeown; documentary on the making of the film; archival cast and crew interviews; various promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Retelling a popular story that has already been told brilliantly is always a very risky project. But over the years various writers have found good excuses to do precisely that, and some have done it quite well. When you are an ambitious director and you wish to do it on the big screen, however, you instantly place a huge target on your back. Bigger than the one that a writer would get? Yes, a lot bigger. Your motivation for instance would be scrutinized even by people that may not be intimately familiar with the story. It is just the way it is, so the risk you are taking as a director is huge. You can legitimately destroy your career if you do not do the retelling of the story right.

I had not viewed Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen in a very long time. If I had to guess, I would say that it has been two decades since the last time I revisited it, but it could be longer. Before I pressed the play button on my player to view the new 4K restoration of the film, the only segment of it that I could vividly recall was the one where Baron Munchausen and the other visitors climb the Moon. I always thought that this segment was done incredibly well, which is why it must have stayed in my mind.

I was approximately fifteen or so minutes into the film -- it was right around when Baron Munchausen and his crew emptied the sultan’s treasury -- when my mind unplugged itself from the present and plugged itself into Gilliam’s world. It was very late and believe me I was not prepared for this kind of viewing experience because I had had a long day. The visuals were so seductive that it felt great to be on the other side, believing and enjoying Baron Munchausen’s ridiculous adventures. (Or should I call them lies?) I remember feeling this way many, many years ago when I would stay up late to read the newest great novel my grandfather had recommended to me.

Gilliam takes a lot of liberties with the original material that inspired him to do his film, but I think that it is the only way he could have done it right -- and yes, this film is done right. What do I mean? He reveals an intimate connection to Baron Munchausen’s stories that allow him to be strikingly creative, effectively making them his stories. If you listen carefully while being overwhelmed by the spectacular visuals, you will notice that there are tiny remarks and references that make many developments in the film openly suggestive. What are they suggesting? That even when you have grown old it is fine to keep on believing in miracles. That there is never a wrong time to fall in love again. That there are always plenty of opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of people that need it.

In the second half of the film, Baron Munchausen is slowly reunited with the members of his old crew. All of them have grown old, become weaker, and started preparing for the inevitable encounter with the Grim Reaper. Two of them are even borderline senile. They have been stuck in the belly of a giant fish monster and thought that they had already entered Hell. Not pretty, eh? But when Baron Munchausen reappears and convinces them to help him defend the city from the forces of the mad sultan, they regain their passion for life. I thought that this was one of the film’s most powerful messages -- if you want to keep someone alive, make him feel wanted and appreciated.

The entire film is a visual stunner. It features breathtakingly beautiful decors, indescribably imaginative lighting, and top-notch camerawork. An appropriately brilliant soundtrack perfectly enhances its exotic atmosphere as well.

*Criterion’s upcoming 4K Bu-ray and Blu-ray releases introduce a brand new 4K restoration of The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen that has been supervised and approved by Gilliam.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The film has been fully restored in 4K under the supervision of Terry Gilliam and this release is sourced by a brand new 4K master. I have nothing but great things to say about the new 4K makeover. On my system, the entire film was a feast for the eyes. Because of some unique stylization, in some areas, there are small fluctuations in terms of delineation, density, and depth, so they are retained as they appear on the film. The entire film is marvelously graded as well. The primaries and the supporting nuances are indescribably lush but never appear boosted or digitally manipulated. I thought that this was one of the great strengths of the new 4K makeover. There are absolutely no traces of problematic digital tinkering. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks immaculate as well. So, the new 4K makeover of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a stunner and I think that fans of the film will be ecstatic when they see it next month. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio sounds incredible, too. As you know well, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen has a terrific music score that does plenty to produce various contrasts, so I was very glad to hear how solid the lossless track is. During the siege footage in the beginning and at the end of the film, dynamic intensity is pretty impressive, too. I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Audio Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by Terry Gilliam and actor/writer Charles McKeown in 2008. It has appeared on previous home video releases of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, so any fan of the film is already familiar with it. The bulk of the information that is shared in the commentary addressed the production of the film as well as some obstacles that had to be overcome along the way.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• The Madness and Misadventures of "Munchausen" - this archival documentary examines the rich production history of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Directed by Constantine Nasr in 2008, it is presented here in three parts. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. "Flights of Fancy" (30 min).
  2. "Caught in the Act" (17 min).
  3. "The Final Curtain" (26 min).

• Special Effects - narrated by Terry Gilliam in 2022, the footage that is presented here consists of precomposite effects, model shots, and computer imagery and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the elaborate special effects used by the Peerless Camera Company to assemble the exotic world of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are four deleted scenes with optional commentary by Terry Gilliam. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Gull and Turkey Leg/Alternate Opening. (2 min).
  2. Mutiny on Stage. (1 min).
  3. The Rules of Warfare. (1 min).
  4. Extended Fish Sequence. (1 min).

• Storyboards for Unfilmed Scenes - presented here are several storyboards for unfilmed scenes created by Terry Gilliam. With introductions by Terry Gilliam and actor/writer Charles McKeown. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Introduction: "As We Once Dreamed it". (1 min).
  2. The Baron Saves Sally. (3 min).
  3. A Voyage to the Moon. (22 min).
  4. The Baron and Bucephalus Charge the Turkish Gates. (5 min).

• Marketing "Munchausen" - Terry Gilliam reads and comments. In English, not subtitled. (
  
  1. Preview Cards. (12 min).
  2. Taglines. (4 min).
  3. Meet Baron Munchausen. (5 min).
  4. Production Featurette. (8 min).
  5. Trailer. (2 min).

• The Astonishing (and Really True) History of Baron Munchausen - this exclusive new video essay was created by critic David Cairns in 2022. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam - this archival episode of The South Bank Show from 1991 takes a closer look at the life and career of Terry Gilliam. It features Gilliam, actor and comedian Michael Palin, and Baron Munchausen's dog. It is hosted by Melvyn Bragg. In English, not subtitled. (48 min).

• Miracle of Flight - this animated short film was directed by Terry Gilliam in 1974. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic and author Michael Koresky as well as technical credits.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some of Terry Gilliam's films are not my cup of tea. They try too hard to be exotic and even oddly controversial, so I find it impossible to connect with them as they demand in order to be properly appreciated. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is not one of these films. Virtually all of the messages that emerge from it easily resonate with me, plus it is a stunningly beautiful tour de force that at times takes my breath away. I have nothing but great things to say about the new 4K makeover of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. It sparkles on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray and I think that fans of the film will be ecstatic when they finish viewing it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.