Man of La Mancha (1972) Reviews

Man of La Mancha (1972)
Member Rating:  
Dale Wasserman's long-running Broadway smash comes to the screen in this musical based on Miguel de Cervantes' classic satire Don Quixote de la Mancha. Cervantes (Peter O'Toole) is arrested and put in prison by the soldiers of the Spanish Inquisition after staging a comic performance which mocked the Spanish government. Cervantes' fellow inmates are eager to divvy up his belongings, but the author is desperate to save a manuscript of his latest work; in order to win the prisoners over, he stages, with their assistance, his latest comedy about the delusional knight Don Quixote (O'Toole). Don Quixote, with the help of his loyal manservant Sancho Panza (James Coco), is determined to battle evil, though he most often finds himself combating windmills. Don Quixote encounters the beautiful virgin Dulcinea -- personified by a jailed prostitute, Aldonza (Sophia Loren) -- and is certain he has found the love of his life. However, tragedy befalls Don Quixote when a band of savages rape Dulcinea as he sleeps, and he must decide where his greatest loyalty lies when his niece Antonia (Julie Gregg) arrives, asking Quixote to please return home to his family. In a move which was widely criticized at the time of the film's release, Peter O'Toole's singing voice was dubbed for most of his musical numbers, while Sophia Loren did all of her own vocal tracks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, (more)
Director(s):
Arthur Hiller
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(8 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Joseph G.

This film is very colorful, Peter O'Toole stands out amoungst the croud in this stellar preformace as Don Quixote, reminding us all that we should reach for the stars, even if they are only in our mind. JG

Yes   |   No


Andrew H.

Pretty good for a movie musical. O'Toole's acting is superb and Sophia is stunning. The DVD is well done, you'd think is was filmed yesterday. Vocals are very good, even with O'Tooles being dubbed. My only complaint is that the recording of the music sounds like it was put together by a small band rather than an orchestra - could have used a little reverb for a little Broadway ambience, but that would be mucking with the art.

Yes   |   No


Mabel C.

If you are one of those who don't like musicals like me this great movie can change the way to think about it. If you are one of those who feels that honesty and dreams don't exist anymore just give yourself a chance of give food to your hunger spirit. Don Quixote of la mancha Exist in me and I think in every single people who thinks that life is a beautiful dream and the reality is only misery. Be crazy but just to change and cure our hearts. Juan Lopez.

Yes   |   No


Tom H.

A story within a story within a story, oh where is sanity, my liege? Part musical, part play within a play, and all set against the Spanish Inquisition. Poignant and touching to the end, one has to wonder if this is a story set against reality or yet another story of a story? (Cervantes did write Don Quixote but did not die at the hands of the Inquisition.) What is most fascinating is that the singing and the music make their own statement: less than perfect – off-key, weak and fragile, like Quixote, himself. This is one of the few “musicals” that is carried by the fascinating story of insanity and at the end, one really does wonder if they are seeing history or just a damned good story! I strongly recommend it with a caveat that this is not your typical musical. A very short musical montage and theatrical trailer are all the extras that are on the disc.

Yes   |   No


Beth W.

one of the best movies ever made -- all generations should watch this beautiful love story.

Yes   |   No


Nicole L.

This movie is wonderful. I am willing to rent other musicals. If you think you don't like musicals, this is the one to win you over. Very enjoyable.

Yes   |   No


Theresa L.

The singing just wasn't that good. The reason I watch a musical for the singing and the actors voices were average at most.

Yes   |   No


Tomasz P.

I watch musicals for the singing... but here I dreaded it. Had this movie been done skipping over the songs completely, in my opinon, the movie would have been much better. There are no songs that give the musical any character, the lyrics were fine, but both the execution of the songs and the songs themselves were sub-par.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (8)
     
    Joseph G.

    This film is very colorful, Peter O'Toole stands out amoungst the croud in this stellar preformace as Don Quixote, reminding us all that we should reach for the stars, even if they are only in our mind. JG

    Yes   |   No

     
    Andrew H.

    Pretty good for a movie musical. O'Toole's acting is superb and Sophia is stunning. The DVD is well done, you'd think is was filmed yesterday. Vocals are very good, even with O'Tooles being dubbed. My only complaint is that the recording of the music sounds like it was put together by a small band rather than an orchestra - could have used a little reverb for a little Broadway ambience, but that would be mucking with the art.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Mabel C.

    If you are one of those who don't like musicals like me this great movie can change the way to think about it. If you are one of those who feels that honesty and dreams don't exist anymore just give yourself a chance of give food to your hunger spirit. Don Quixote of la mancha Exist in me and I think in every single people who thinks that life is a beautiful dream and the reality is only misery. Be crazy but just to change and cure our hearts. Juan Lopez.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 8 Reviews
       

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