Enjoying the dubious billing of being the Third Reich's "finest fictional moment", Münchhausen lives up to the hype. Commissioned by propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels to mark the 25th anniversary of the UFA film studio in 1943, director Josef von Baky was given every incentive artistic, technical and financial to create a state-of-the-art film outflanking Hollywood--and, in most respects, he succeeded. Hans Albers is understatedly right as the buccaneer aristocrat, his adventures over the centuries made possible by preternatural longevity. Hermann Speelmans gives... sterling support as loyal manservant Kuchenreutter, while Brigitte Horney has appealing decadence as Catherine the Great. The spectacular Venice canal sequence and whimsical moon episode are balanced by strong scriptwriting from "Berthold Bürger" (Erich Kästner of Emil and the Detectives fame), with Georg Haentzschel's lushly eclectic score scarcely inferior to those by his more famous Hollywood counterparts. A tendency to send-up non-German nationalities hints at Nazi ideology, but otherwise this is pure--though never soulless--escapism, produced to the highest artistic standards. On the DVD: Münchhausen on disc is presented in a restored print which recaptures the original's breathtaking interplay of colour, and the soundtrack has been very adequately cleaned up. Just eight access points and subtitles in English only, but a photo gallery of over 100 stills and memorabilia to chart the course of the film in detail. R Dixon Smith's insightful documentary feature gives the lowdown on why the film was made. All the more remarkable, then, that it's survived the vicissitudes of its era so handsomely. --Richard Whitehouse [show more]
We will publish your review of Munchhausen [1943] on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Set in eighteenth century Venice, Münchhausen tells the story of The Baron von Münchhausen and his extravagant adventures. Accompanied by his servant Kuchenreutter, Münchhausen endures a journey entailing romance, war, capture, imprisonment, escape and ultimately death. However, during this time the audience enjoys numerous stories that Münchhausen is only too willing to tell. Known for his sensationalism, he manages to entertain the Sultan during his imprisonment, which leads to the freedom of the Princess and his own escape... Actors Hans Albers, Wilhelm Bendow, Brigitte Horney, Michael Bohnen & Ferdinand Marian Director Josef von Baky Certificate PG Year 1943 Screen Fullscreen 4:3 Languages German - Dolby Digital (1.0) Mono Subtitles English Duration 1 hour and 50 minutes (approx)
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
