Don Quixote (1933)

Director:

Georg Wilhelm Pabst

Writers:

Alexandre Arnoux (dialogue)
Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra (novel)

Release Date:

23 December 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Musical | Comedy | Drama

Plot:

In Spain, in the sixteenth century, an elderly gentleman named Don Quixote has gone mad from reading too many books on chivalry...

Plot Keywords:

Don Quixote | Reverse Footage | Remake | Tragedy | Foreign Language Adaptation

Cast

Feodor Chaliapin Sr.	...	Don Quixote
George Robey	...	Sancho Panza
René Donnio	...	Carrasco (as Donnio)
Renée Valliers	...	Dulcinea
Emily Fitzroy	...	Sancho Panza's wife
Sidney Fox	...	Maria the niece
Miles Mander	...	The Duke
Wally Patch	...	Gypsy King
Oscar Asche	...	Police Captain
Lydia Sherwood	...	Duchess
Frank Stanmore	...	Priest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andreas Malandrinos	...	Innkeeper / Jester
Vladimir Sokoloff	...	Servant

Also Known As:

Adventures of Don Quixote

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

France | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Haute-Provence, France

Company:

Nelson Film

Trivia:

In Cervantes' novel and in most other film versions, the hero's name is really Alonso Quijano (or Quijana, as in "Man of La Mancha"), and it is only after going mad that he renames himself Don Quixote. In Pabst's film(s), the hero's name is really Don Quixote.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Don Quixote (1934)

A legend in a legendary skin

For me, this film is defined by the printed paper and his metamorphosis. The bustle, the delicate ash, the music are principal words of Cervantes masterpiece definition. So, the film must be a success at least for impressive presence of Chaliapin.

In fact, it is not a film but a huge monument, the Baroque interpretation of Chaliapin has the talent to create a fantastic world.The pathetism of opera is part of gorgeous sophisticated fine expression

Only values for a verdict in this case are subjectives. A legend of Russian Opera is Don Quixote. Every feature of character is slice of a subtle science of chimera's revelation. Every gesture is a form to describe sweet secret of fragile world. And Chaliapin is Chaliapin.

But, more important, it is statute of testimony. The trip between symbols and facts, between refuges and truth. "Don Quixote" is not a ordinary picturization, it is a propaganda instrument.

The three versions, "Man and Mask", the recordings , Mefistofele, the shows in Europe and the fame are elements of a special artist portrait who gives to his character not only a special soul but a subtle vision about life and illusion.

I believe that this movie was for Chaliapin an adventure. His art is same, his acting is interesting and correct. For he, the hero from La Mancha is an alter-ego not ordinary character. So, the force of interpretation is charming, strong and pure.