The Character Muenchhausen and the Oriental

It is intriguing that Baron von Münchhausen can function as the hero in this Nazi era film. Not only does he spend his time traveling around forsaking his Heimat and leading a generally unproductive existence, he pretty much dedicates his whole youth (a long time thanks to Cagliostro’s spell) to philandering. These actions seem to run contrary to the National Socialist construction of the ideal male. I suppose this works out fine, since he eventually realizes the unfulfilling nature of this kind of life, marries, and returns to his home. It is interesting, however, that it took him 200 years to come to this realization. Of course all the films in the Nazi era did not conform exactly to the proper National Socialist party line, but for such an important film made for the UFA anniversary I would have expected there not to be a character acting so much in opposition to this line.

I wonder about the Orientalist stereotypes in the scenes where Münchhausen is in captivity. The audience must have perceived the portrayal of the Turks as somewhat comical. However, I wonder to what extent the portrayal was seen as absurd, and to what extent it conformed to widely held preconceptions about Turks and the Orient in general.