The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
As King of the Moon
1988 | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy | 121 min | PG
As King of the Moon
Terry Gilliam
Charles McKeown and Terry Gilliam
Michael Kamen
December 8, 1988 (West Germany, Europe)
March 10, 1989
April 27, 1999 (original release)
April 8, 2008 (20th anniversary edition)
Columbia Pictures, Laura Film, Prominent Features, Allied Filmmakers
Columbia Pictures
King of the Moon
Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen
Desmond/Berthold
Rupert/Adolphus
Bill/Albrecht
Jeremy/Gustavus
Queen Ariadne/Violet
Sally Salt
Vulcan
Venus/Daisy
The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson
Sultan
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.
I'm back! I got lips again and I'm gonna use 'em, baby!
I think, therefore you is.
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!
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!
No, let me go! I've got tides to regulate! Comets to direct! I don't have time for flatulence and orgasms!
My kingdom for a handkerchief!
I'm sorry. You must refer to me by my complete title: King of Everything. Rei di Tutto--but you may call me Ray.
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.
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.
This title is available on:
September 21, 1987 - March 1988
Belchite, Spain
Aragón, Spain
Zaragoza, Spain
Andalucía, Spain
Almería, Spain
Rome, Italy
Lazio, Italy
December 8, 1988
March 8, 1989
March 17, 1989
May 11, 1989
May 18, 1989
June 3, 1989
July 15, 1989 (Davao)
August 1, 1989
September 8, 1989
December 1, 1989
April 7, 2008 (DVD premiere)
Las aventuras del barón Munchausen
As Aventuras do Barão de Münchausen
Avanture barona Minhauzena
Baron Münchhausens äventyr
Baron von Munchausens äventyrer (Swedish title)
Paroni von Münchhausenin seikkailut (Finnish/video title)
Die Abenteuer des Baron Münchhausen
Harpatkaotav Shel Ha-Baron Minchauzen
Le avventure del Barone di Munchausen
Les aventures du baron de Munchausen
Münchausen báró kalandjai
Oi peripeteies tou varonou Munchausen
Przygody barona Munchausena
The following extra features can be found on the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD:
$46,630,000
$8,083,123 (USA)
N/A (international)
$8,083,123 (total)
$597,400 (46 theaters)
120 theaters
about 13 weeks
Nom - 1990 - Best Art Direction/Set Decoration
Nom - 1990 - Best Costume Design
Nom - 1990 - Best Visual Effects
Won - 1990 - Best Makeup
Won - 1990 - Best Costume Design
Won - 1990 - Best Makeup Artist
Nom - 1990 - Best Production Design
Nom - 1990 - Best Special Effects
Nom - 1990 - Best Dramatic Presentation
