Man of La Mancha (1972)

This musical version of Don Quixote is framed by an incident allegedly from the life of its author, Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote is the mad, aging nobleman who embarrasses his ... See full summary »

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writers:

Dale Wasserman (musical play), Dale Wasserman (screenplay),

Stars:

Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, James Coco

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter O'Toole	...	Don Quixote de La Mancha / Miguel de Cervantes / Alonso Quijana
Sophia Loren	...	Dulcinea / Aldonza
James Coco	...	Sancho Panza / Cervantes' s Manservant
Harry Andrews	...	The Innkeeper / The Governor
John Castle	...	Sanson Carrasco / The Duke
Brian Blessed	...	Pedro
Ian Richardson	...	The Padre
Julie Gregg	...	Antonia Quijana
Rosalie Crutchley	...	The Housekeeper
Gino Conforti	...	The Barber
Marne Maitland	...	Captain of the Guard
Dorothy Sinclair	...	The Innkeeper's Wife
Miriam Acevedo	...	Fermina
Dominic Barto	...	Muleteer (as Dominic Bartó)
Poldo Bendandi	...	Muleteer

Storyline

This musical version of Don Quixote is framed by an incident allegedly from the life of its author, Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote is the mad, aging nobleman who embarrasses his respectable family by his adventures. Backed by his faithful sidekick Sancho Panza, he duels windmills and defends his perfect lady Dulcinea (who is actually a downtrodden whore named Aldonza).

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Plot Keywords:

sancho panza | mock trial | poet | playwright | spanish inquisition | 

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Taglines:

Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren and James Coco dream 'The Impossible Dream' in...

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1973 (Italy)

Also Known As:

El hombre de La Mancha

Filming Locations:

Dino De Laurentiis Cinematografica Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzioni Europee Associati (PEA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original stage production opened at the ANTA Washington Square theater in New York City on 22 November 1965, moving to Broadway after a short run, and eventually having a total of 2329 performances. The cast featured Richard Kiley in the role of Don Quixote who won the 1966 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. "Man of La Mancha" won the 1966 Tony Awards for the Best Musical and Best Score.

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Goofs

In the film, Cervantes uses the story of Don Quixote to defend the hero's chivalric notions. In the final pages of the novel, and only in the final pages, he declares that his intention was to satirize and poke fun at the exaggerated books of chivalry which were then in vogue. Part I of ''Don Quixote'' published in 1605, is mostly comic; Part II, published in 1615, is more melancholy and psychological. Most critics feel that, despite his satirical intentions, Cervantes mellowed and began to admire Don Quixote between publication of the 2 parts.

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Quotes

Miguel de Cervantes: It is imperative each knight has a lady; a knight without a lady is a body without a soul. To whom would he dedicate his conquests? What visions sustain him when he sallies forth to do battle with evil and with giants?

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Crazy Credits

Practically all of the actors in the film, with the exception of those who play the Captain of the Guard and the soldiers of the Spanish Inquisition respectively, play dual or triple roles, but only five of them are actually listed in the credits as having done so. All of the other actors are listed as if they only played one role in the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Barney Miller: Bureaucrat (1975)

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Soundtracks

"It's All The Same"
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Sung by Sophia Loren

User Reviews

Greatest Movie Ever

I consider myself somewhat of a movie aficionado, having seen several thousand movies over the past forty years; and I can unequivocably say that "Man of La Mancha" is my all-time favorite movie. While some of the familiar criticisms lodged against it are valid, there is still no other movie that can approach its depth or poignancy. I judge a movie by its ability to move me: to make me laugh, to make me cry, to make me think. This movie tackles one of the greatest themes of life: whether to live in a helpful illusion or live in the harshness of reality. Don Quixote's story is the ultimate in human heroism, a tragic man of courage struggling to see and live life, not as it is, but as it should be. His unwavering idealism in the face of all-too-familiar cynicism and skepticism is both foolhardy and inspiring. This movie always leaves me, not with tears trickling, but with great sobbing. I strongly recommend it for both your heart and your head.