Real
Name: Karl Friedrich Hieronymus Baron von Münchhausen
Baron Münchhausen
Real
Name: Karl Friedrich Hieronymus Baron von Münchhausen
Identity/Class: "Normal" human
Occupation: (formerly) Soldier - retired cavalry captain; storyteller, adventurer
Affiliations: Bertholdt, Gustavus, Albrecht, Adolphus (servants); Cyrano de Bergerac, Jules Verne
Enemies: Unknown
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Active across the world
First Appearance: Baron Münchhausen's Narrative of his Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia (1786) by Rudolf Erich Raspe
Powers/Abilities: As well as his tale telling, the Baron demonstrates that he can ride a cannonball through the air. The more active the Baron is, the younger he becomes.
History: Baron Münchhausen was a German adventurer who travelled across the world (and indeed beyond), having incredible adventures. Among these are journies to the moon, riding a roc, and living for a time inside a whale. Each of his servants is in someway superhuman in their own right.
Comments:
Created by Rudolf Erich Raspe, based on a genuine person of the same name,
who was known for dramatically embellishing his stories. The real Baron lived
between 1720 and 1797, and fought in the wars between Russia and Turkey.
Raspe published the first book anonymously, and over the years many others
added to the chronicles of the Baron.
The Baron's adventures have been brought to the big screen a number of times.
The first was in 1911, with the French film Les Aventures de baron de Munchhausen.
In 1940, Slavia Film produced Baron Prásil, starring Vlasta Burian as the lead (his name changed for reasons unknown, but clearly the same Baron).
In 1943, Hans Alber played him in Münchhausen, a German production made on the orders of Josef Goebbels - ironically the screenwriter was an author banned by the Nazis, who wrote the script under a pseudonym to get round this.
In 1961 it was Baron Prásil, a Czech production with Milos Kopecký as the tale-teller.
In 1966 Richard Münch starred in Münchhausen, a German television production.
In 1979 Oleg Yankovsky played the character in Tot samyj Myunkhgauzen, a Russian production made for television.
In
1988, perhaps the most widely known version was produced by Terry Gilliam;
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen starred John Neville as Munchhausen.
CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with
Baron Blood, a British vampire, allied with the Nazis in World War II
Baron Blood, a.k.a. Khiron, the brother of Dr.Strange
Baron Blood, grandnephew of the original Baron Blood
Baron Rumpus, a member of the Mysterymen
Baron Tiger, from Creative One Studios
any other Barons
Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.
All images and characters depicted on this site are copyright their respective holders, and are used for informational purposes only. No infringement is intended and copyrights remain at source.