Man of La Mancha
|
Our Price: $22.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $11.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Man of La Mancha
Movie Review: I Am I Don Quixote The Lord Of La Mancha
Summary: 4 Stars
I have taken Spanish for as long as I can remember the language, culture, and history is all fascinating. In high school I had the best Spanish teacher ever. Señora tought the class about the ledgendary Miguel de Cervantes otherwise known as Don Quixote de la Mancha. We watched the movie in class and It was just released to DVD a little bit ago. It's A must see, music, comedy and history all put into one remarkable production.
"Life as it is....I have lived for over fourty years and I have seen, life as it is. Pain; Misery; Cruelty beyond belief-I've heard all the voices of god's noblest creature. Moans from bundles of filth in the street. I've been a soldier and a slave. I've seen my commrads fall in battle-or die more slowly under the whip in Africa-I've held them at the last moment. But these were men who saw life as it is. But they died dispairing. No glory, no bray of last words, only their eyes filled with confussion, questioning why. I do not think the were questioning why they were dieing, but why they had ever lived. Whe life itself seems lunitic-who knows where maddness lyes. Perhaps to be to practical is maddness; to surrender dream, this may be maddness; to seek treasure where there is only trash; TO MUCH SANITY MAY BE MADNESS; but maddest of all... to see life as it is and not as it should be!"
Movie Review: More than adequate adaptation
Summary: 4 Stars
Having played Cervantes/Quixote in my college's production years ago, I have always had a special fondness for Man of La Mancha, and for years was reluctant to watch the movie based on previews I'd seen. What troubled me the most was the idea of having many of the scenes actually taking place in locations like the inn or having Quixote actually fight a real windmill, instead of leaving the entire story unfold in the prison cell, and, using sparse costuming and clever staging, calling upon the imagination of the audience (along with the prisoners) to make the story work. When I watched the movie, I was therefore disappointed with the bouncing back and forth between "on location" and in the prison itself. As the movie progressed, though, I confess I was able to get past that and enjoy the individual performances.
Peter O'Toole indeed captures the innocence and passion of Quixote, as well as the master storyteller in Cervantes. Sophia Loren does an admirable job as Aldonza, and James Coco is excellent as Sancho Panza. The music is very well done, and when the movie was over, I can honestly say I enjoyed it. I gave it four stars instead of five, however, because of the switching back and forth in settings. Then again, I suppose that concept works better in live theatre and might have been boring in a movie.
Movie Review: A Favorite Musical
Summary: 4 Stars
Generally many people regard musicals as silly, combining the worst elements of drama and song. OKLAHOMA's singing and dancing cowboys, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and other ridiculous productions; even so, there are notable exceptions. JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and MAN OF LA MANCHA are just two of my favorites. The latter was a success because it never lost track of the story and the music was nothing short of inspirational.
The production, rendered only so-so in conversion to DVD, is worth the price of admission, however, because of its excellent acting, subtle humor, wonderful characters and, most importantly, its lofty moral values. The music doen't require great voices to be effective (in fact, it helps if they're a bit earthy). I've read a number of unfavorable professional reviews by writers who were disappointed that the singing wasn't up to par when compared to singing gang members in New York; but it only shows they missed the point.
The production here is fabulous. I only wish greater care had been given in cleaning up the muddy colors and sound track. Still, this is well worth the price until someone wakes up and releases it with dazzling saturation and crisp sound.
Movie Review: A Classic...sort of...
Summary: 4 Stars
A fine representation of the Broadway musical on film, but not a great film. It's no "Fiddler on the Roof". The sets are obviously on a sound stage, and the choreography is predictable, frequently "Mickey Mousing" the words.
But I think the thing that bothered me most is, since the film was produced in England, the characters (who are supposed to be Spanish) all pronounce the author's name "Sir-VAN-tees" (van like the thing you drive in), instead of even trying to say it with a Spanish pronunciation. It totally defeats the illusion of the acting.
I used this film in conjunction with my class' discussion of "Don Quixote" by Cervantes, and they enjoyed it and said it clarified the tale a bit for them.
Movie Review: Looking for the good in others, inspite of our circumstances'
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read several books, that referred to this movies. I'm sure many of have been or known an
lady such as Aldonza (a bitter,mistreated tavern lady) that has no hope. Then the man Don Quixote
appears and see Alondonza through ..Loving and forgiving eye's.. Giving her a new name.."Dulcinea"
which means.."sweet lady" Inspite of redicule Don Q. still his sees the world through loving and forgiving Eyes.
The movie also has the beautiful song The Impossible Dream.. to inspire us all.