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This gem is one of the few Russian comedies that has legs. It is indeed funny and the story is universal.Everyone seems to be having fun and it is easy to tell why. It is a pity that it seldom, if ever, can be found screening in the West The story is simple: Three petty crooks are mistaken for three famous Shakespearean actors and, when they are taken to a small town, must put on a production of Othello. Of course, no one knows a line of the play. The play is presented in front of a distinguished audience which includes the three real actors, the police and the women who the three crooks robbed. The production is hilarious. Check it out.

This is the greatest Russian film of all time and the late, great Oleg Yankovsky gives a performance for the ages. Yankovsky is given probably the hardest task an actor has ever been given, to make the Baron a believable human and a man who always tells the truth. If you don't believe him the film fails miserably. As he says, "Baron Munchausen is famous not for flying to the moon but for never telling a lie." And you do believe him and root for him to overcome all obstacles and settle down with his beloved Marta. The ending is one of the greatest in all Russian film as the Baron goes on to immortality.

Photography is spectacular as are the sets and this film is the only one that has a song sung by a 15 1/2' woman! And the Baron's theme is unforgettable.

If you only see one Russian film, see this or An Ordinary Miracle, both with Yankovsky and both directed by Mark Zakharov.

Everything is right in this classic film. The music is gorgeous, the acting superb and the color photography entrancing. Add to this the direction of the great Mark Zakharov and you can't miss. A magician (Yankovsky) changes a bear into a handsome youth (Abdulov). This spell will be broken ONLY if the young man meets, falls in love with and is kissed by a princess. If that does happen the man will revert back to being a bear FOREVER!!!!! And at the 25 minute mark of a film over two hours long the princess meets the youth.

To me this is the second greatest Russian film and can be viewed again and again. You will love it!