Man of la Mancha [DVD] [1972]

A highly enjoyable movie with a great cast! One to watch again..

This is a screen adaption of the Broadway musical and it mixes a story from the life of Spanish writer Cervantes and that of his most famous creation, the gallant knight in the not so shining armour Don Quixote. I cannot think of any actor more suited to playing Don Quixote than Peter O'Toole. He is simply magnificent, both as the dignified Cervantes and as the ageing and deluded Don Quixote. Sophia Loren is equally well suited to the role(s) she plays.The film has many memorable songs, The Impossible Dream probably being the most widely known of them. Loren has to be lauded for doing her own singing, O'Toole probably for letting his singing voice be dubbed. Of the episodes from Don Quixote used for this, his fight with the windmills is by far the most enjoyable.James Coco gives a good performance as Sancho Panza, and the supporting cast includes many familiar names of British stage and screen acting from the time: Harry Andrews, Brian Blessed, John Castle and Ian Richardson all appear in this.It's a great spectacle to watch, with both sets - the dungeon of the Spanish Inquisitor and the world of Don Quixote's La Mancha - equally magnificent. I am a great fan of Cervantes' novel, and this film is by no means a close adaption. And yet, for me it will always be the definitive screen adaption. I absolutely love it. It will be interesting if Gilliam's film will change that.

DVD in good condition and I enjoyed it

I'm surprised I haven't encountered this film before now. It has certainly been around long enough - since 1972. I found it to be excellent, with great performances from Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren and, indeed, all the cast. I was surprised just how good Peter O'Toole's singing voice was, but then I discovered that it was dubbed throughout by a professional singer, Simon Gilbert! It's very well done, though, and I could not see or hear the joins. The way the story is told is very clever as it's actually a story within a story within a story, part of it delusional. The film is limited in what it can include of the Cervantes classic, but that's hardly surprising. I just checked my book and it's over 750 pages long. It would be expecting a bit much to get all that into a two hour film. Also, the film divides its time between portrayals of both Cervantes and Don Quixote, and it certainly succeeds in capturing the essence of both individuals. This film is thought-provoking, dramatic, colourful and amusing, as well as containing some really wonderful music. Parts of it bring tears to the eyes (and that doesn't happen with me very often). Thoroughly recommended. I must buy the soundtrack.

Love it

Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren and the cast of this fine film version incorporating songs from Man of La Mancha will likewise charm you... as you witness Knight turned into Day ! ie the world transformed from not knowing itself into Self Awareness - The Mystical QuestBe their guest...

Right, the movie aged quite a bit for its aesthetics, and the studio shooting for scenes suposedly outdoors is quite obvious, but the music and songs and actors are excellent, even Peter O'Toole who was lipsyncking though.

Quite simply, a memorable musical movie well worth watching!

Gift for my wife.Bought two other copies from other stores, did not play

Una gran pelicula, un clasico y llego perfecto. Gran servicio

L'ho comprato perchè avendo visto l'opera teatrale in spagnolo mi innamorai di essa e volendo passare le stesse sensazioni ai miei genitori, mi decisi e comprai il dvd.Grande film che trasmette quelle sensazioni meravigliose, le canzoni bellissime uguali anche se in inglese, e gli attori perfetti per la loro parte, soprattutto O'toole. La storia va di pari passo con l'opera, bellissima e con la grandissima morale del libro di Cervantes.Lo consiglio vivamente!

Traite bien de la folie et de la poésie de ce classique personnage universel. O'Toole est génial, Sofia Loren n'est pas mauvaise.

El primer musical que he visto en mi vida fue la versión de El Hombre de la Mancha de José Sacristán y Paloma San Basilio. La obra me enamoró. Compré el CD de audio en cuanto salió y también la versión en inglés de Plácido Domingo, que te deja la piel de gallina. He estado buscando la obra teatral en vivo en cualquier idioma, por si la habían publicado, pero parece que no se deciden. Al final me decidí a comprar esta película y estoy encantado. Es verdad que echas de menos algún tema, y otros los recortan, pero la esencia está ahí y todas las piezas encajan perfectamente. La lucha de Don Quijote con los molinos es lo más espectacular e hilarante que he visto, aun sabiendo lo que iba a pasar. Sofía Loren está espectacular y para qué hablar de Peter O'Toole y James Coco de Don Quijote/Cervantes y Sancho. Parecen haber nacido para esos papeles. El doblaje de la versión española es muy bueno, aunque mantiene las cancioes originales. Una película imprescindible para los amantes de los musicales.