The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) is one of those financial flops that managed to impress critics and gain accolades despite showing a lackluster performance at the box office. With Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Best Visual Effects, it’s clear the pic was pleasing to the eyes. What else would one expect from the imagination of Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam? Under his direction, the film features Python alum Eric Idle as well as English actor Oliver Reed, Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce, and Scottish actor Bill Paterson. In addition to these British gents, the cast includes gorgeous global gals: Canada’s Sarah Polley, Italy’s Valentina Cortese, and America’s very own Uma Thurman in one of her first film roles. Months before, the blonde beauty made her nude debut in the period piece Dangerous Liaisons (1988). Obviously, there must be something about costumed movies that makes Ms. Thurman want to reveal her boobies! Why else would she flash her rack in this whimsical epic? Based on German tall tales, Gilliam’s flick ventures into absurdity as it follows the title character (John Neville) on a campaign to save a besieged town from marauding Turks. When the valiant nobleman isn’t extricating himself from the belly of a sea monster, taking a trip to the moon or outfoxing the grim reaper, he makes time to waltz around the room with Venus (Thurman) herself. Indeed, when the love goddess arises topless from a clamshell, your trousers will be rising as well!