Man of La Mancha
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Harry Andrews, James Coco, John Castle (II), Peter O'Toole, Sophia LorenBrand: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 132 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-05-11
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Man of La Mancha
Movie Review: A touching story accompanied by moving music
Summary: 5 Stars
Unfamiliar with the adventures of Don Quixote and his creator Cervantes, I could watch the movie as far as it would take me.
Cervantes(Peter O'Toole) and his manservant(James Coco) were caught for their controversial play in public and awaited the summon of the Spanish Inquisition in a hugh dungeon. Cervantes, having to defend himself and his possessions, explained himself with his play - Don Quixote (a knight the madman Alonso Quijana thought himself to be).
The movie moved seamlessly between Cervantes and the prisoners in the dungeon and the adventures of Don Quixote (played by Peter O' Toole and the prisoners). The brave, naive, ever losing Don Quoxite only wanted to beat the evil,the Enchanter, saw life as it should be and not as it is. To him, a windmill was a monster, a barber an enemy, the inn maid Aldonza (Sophie Loren) his lady with a beautiful name Dulcinea. He would dedicate his quest to his lady Dulcinea and in her, he could see nothing but her virtues. Aldonza, already losing hope in the mankind, kept asking Sancho, Quixote's squire, why he followed his master. Amid her denial, she was deeply touched by the love letter Don Quixote wrote her.
But time was runnng short for both Cervantes and his creation Don Quoxite - the summon of the Spanish Inqusition was imminent. In the play, Alonso Quijana's illusion of Don Quoxite was cruelly shattered by his future nephew-in-law, leaving Alonso nothing to hold on to in his real life. By this time, the prisoners were all touched by the impossible dream - Don Quixote who would beat the unbeatable foe, right the unrightable wrong and strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star. While Cervantes could not alter his fate, he was urged by the prisoners to change Don Quixote's. Alonso Quijana got back his impossible dream, his strength revived. Don Quixote(aka Alonso) jumped out of his sick bed and marched victoriously his last few steps with his squire and his lady. After that, Aldonza the inn maid would only be known as Dulcinea, as her knight would call her. Don Quixote is always there to give people hope, despite the harsh circumstances.
In the end, Cervantes, through Don Quixote, touched the prisoners' hearts, even the sceptic "Duke" (John Castle) and the woman prisoner Aldonza (Sophia Loren) were inspired. The story ended with Cervantes bravely walking up the bridge to face the Inquisition, leaving behind the transformed and hopeful prisoners singing the Impossible Dream.
This is a story well told with great performances by Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren. To me, no one could play the roles better. The romance between the two was made more touching because of the impossible circumstances and timing. The faithful Squire/Cervantes' manservant (James Coco) was indispensible. Alonso's Father, niece and housekeeper sang the trio "I'm only thinking of him" beautifully. The music and the song "Impossible Dream" by Simon Gibert was cleverly inserted in the movie. A musical with a noble message - unrivalled, romantic and beautiful.
Summary of Man of La Mancha
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) **1972Similar DVD Movies
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