Munchhausen [1943] [DVD]

Based on the fabulous tales of the real Baron, the book of his exploits remains, for me, a source of much mirth and insight about skills to cut the pompous, self-righteous and self-indulged to size with personal dignity. Muenchhausen reflects the knowledge of genius mired by the mediocre.

I first saw this version of Muenchhausen in the early 1960's in Germany, and it left a deep impression. Having had the good fortune to be friend's with Brigitte Horney (who plays the Russian Empress) I was privy to some of the behind the scenes tales at the UFA studios. To think that the actors were somehow aware at the time that this was some kind of propaganda film is applying too much interpretation. Solely referring to this film as a Nazi propaganda attempt means not seeing its achievements in German cinematic history and relegating the phantastic tales brought to life here to insignificance.

To my mind this is still one of the best cinematic interpretations of the Baron's tales, played with wry insight, much aplomb and fun. Good performance all-round. I highly recommend it...

Goebbels clearly knew what face to put on for export material. He wanted something spectacular, not just for the commemoration but to throw at Hollywood (who by now were overtaking Germany as the dominant force in the film world), and he got it. I doubt it actually reached American shores because of some (entirely tasteful) nudity in a harem scene that would have been frowned upon at the time.

The transfer is excellent considering the film's age, given the vulnerability of colour film materials. In fact, the colour is beautifully preserved with those rich but never blaring tones so characteristic of Agfa film. The audio is as good as can be expected and the sub-titling is slightly truncated so that the viewer can keep pace without missing too much of the film.

Potential buyers should be aware of a moment in the opening episode - a visual joke that might be construed as having racial overtones but in my view was not meant offensively and could actually be seen as a theatrical pun.

The DVD has a few extras - the trailer, picture gallery and an audio essay. What's missing is some small booklet or folio covering the chequered history of UFA, founded under State sponsorship in 1917 as part of the military effort; privatised around 1920 whereupon it gradually soaked up competing studios until it stood almost alone. The Nazis seized it back during their pogrom in independent media. A mention of Hans Albers and his other film triumphs would not be out of place (he was one of the most popular actors of his time). These omissions are why I rated the DVD 4 stars, not 5.

All in all, in spite of its origins this is a film not to be missed by any afficionado of classic cinema. It is a beautiful transfer of a lavish film and as far as I am concerned, knocks spots off the more recent adaptation (allegedly directed by Terry Gilliam who I understand finally disowned the distributed version anyway).