Man of La Mancha

Starring:Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, James Coco, Harry Andrews, John Castle (II), Brian Blessed, Ian Richardson, Julie Gregg, Rosalie Crutchley, Gino Conforti, Marne Maitland, Dorothy Sinclair, Miriam Acevedo, Dominic Barto, Poldo Bendandi, Peppi Borza, Mario Donen, Fred Evans (II), Francesco Ferrini, Paolo Gozlino
Director: Arthur Hiller
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

It's hard to imagine a finer Don Quixote than Peter O'Toole, who's spent most of his career with a slightly mad, dreaming look in his marvelous eyes. O'Toole's suitability for the role is tested by the Broadway treatment of Man of La Mancha, the film version of the hit stage musical. Everybody knows "The Impossible Dream," that indomitable hymn to, well, quixotic questing, and it is indeed the best of the Spanish-inflected songs. Despite the location shooting in Italy, Love Story director Arthur Hiller can't elude the stagey concept (in which Cervantes, imprisoned by the Inquisition, acts out the tale of Don Quixote for his fellow prisoners). James Coco, as Sancho Panza, is overshadowed by the film's irresistible Dulcinea: Sophia Loren, at her mature peak. (Her singing, alas, is not as ripe as her beautiful self.) If you love Cervantes for his earthy ironies, this movie will seem a curious slice of inspirational shtick. --Robert Horton

Description

Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Peter O'toole and Sophia Loren are magnificent in this lavishlyproduced (LA Herald-Examiner) and beautifully acted (The New York Times) epic masterpiece. Featuring an OscarÂ(r)-nominated** score with the classic 'the Impossible Dream, this original and daring (Films & Filming) musical is an experience not to be missed! Jailed during the Spanish Inquisition for offending the church, author Miguel de Cervantes (O'toole) is forced to act out one of his manuscripts for the entertainment of fellow inmates. Cervantes delivers a rapturous performance as the legendary Don Quixote, the chivalrous knight whose choice to see lifeas it should be, not as it is, takes him into battles with an imaginary foe and into romance with the beautiful Dulcinea (Loren). *O'toole: Honorary Award (2002); Loren: Actress, Two Women (1961), Honorary Award (1990) **1972

Customer Reviews:

The acting is what counts here..........2007-06-19

As a "Don Quixote" enthusiast, I have many recordings of the musical and, of course, had to own a DVD of the movie. I would say that the acting is what counts here. The outstanding Peter O'Toole is a very convincing and memorable Don Quixote, although it is a distraction when he lip-sincs thorough his songs (it's quite noticable). I still have to say, however, that the movie is outstanding in that the beautiful and sexy Sophie Loren is an appropriate Aldonza/Dulcinea. James Coco also brings the right essence to the role of Sancho.

I really enjoyed this movie and would like to see a remake for the new millinium that reflects the musical styles popular since the original movie (disco, rap, hip-hop). A Latin/Spanish version would also be quite appropriate as that kind of music and culture is becoming more a part of our American melting pot.

This wonderful score and it's profound message could surely withstand such variety of interpretation.

good.......2007-06-14

It is truely replay the original script. The songs were sung not as good
as the New York Broadway one. I enjoy watching it. All the actors had done their excellent job to show each character.

"I Really Like Him".......2007-05-27

To use the title of one of Sancho Panza's songs as the title to this should be indicative how I feel about this transaction! Excellent work and I apologize not sending this ion sooner, however I am a professional actor and am "out of town" playing Sancho Panza!!

So much more than I imagined.......2007-05-15

I only remembered Man of la Mancha from the hazy VHS days when I was little girl. Watching this dvd was a great experience because there is so much more in the movie than I remembered or imagined. It's a great story based on reality. It's a classic and a great pre-cursor to reading Cervantes.

Man of La Mancha.......2007-05-14

This movie play is delightful and entertaining but it carries a message that all need to hear. See life as it should be, not as it appears to be. What it appears to be to the mind is a dark place of suffering and death. But what it should be is what it is in reality. We each can begin to follow our hearts and to go on our own quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far. And if we do, we will not only change our lives and how we see the world around us, but we will change other's lives such as the Man of La Mancha changed Aldonsa. We each must follow our dreams, the dreams that come from our heart, not our head. This movie captures this is a wonderful way.

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