L'homme de la Manche

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It saddens me that there are those out there who think this movie was horrible. How can you watch O'Toole give his speech: "Maddest of all: to see life as it is and not as it should be!" and not be brought to emotion? This movie is not exactly like the theater version. However, if you note who made the screenplay changes, the song changes, etc., it's the same men who worked on the play. There are some good songs cut out. And Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren are not the world's best singers. But this movie is brilliant. Coco is a wonderful Sancho, I love his voice and his expression. O'Toole is a fabulous actor and I felt like the prisoners in the end singing "The Impossible Dream." I own this movie. I encourage anyone who hasn't seen it to go get it and watch it. It has inspired me to try to do better in everything I do, and I often watch it and sing the songs to remind me to "see life as it should be." And if this movie needs a defender, I sign up for the job.

I have a difficult time grading this film. I have always been prejudiced against films of stage productions. I just find that to take one medium and try to force it into another is artistically dishonest. And this movie is very much a play. But, a play/film with Peter O'Toole, arguably the best Shakespearian actor of his generation. So, if anyone can pull this off, it's O'Toole. His performance as the madman of La Mancha is riveting, and Loren is both beautiful and brilliant in this one. They both get a 10. I can't fathom why neither received an Oscar nomination for their work in Man of La Mancha. (If not for The Godfather, O'Toole would have won an Oscar the following year for The Ruling Class.) He never made a bad movie. So, this may be the only exception to my rule against cross-genre productions, and it rightfully should be considered a must-see Classic.

This is one of my favorites movies, and although I am also a big fan of the play, this movie did no injustice to it whatsoever.. perhaps it would only make someone more motivated to see it performed LIVE on stage. Either way, it is very touching and something that imprints itself upon your heart.

I found similarities between this film and Life is Beautiful, not only the unconventional mentality of the leading characters, but the power we have to positively impact others. If you enjoy L.I.B., this is a MUST SEE !!

From the dismal dungeon jail to to the imaginative world of Don Quixote, Peter O'Toole is outstanding as the chivalrous errant knight. His performance is amazing. James Coco provides comic relief and Sophia Loren is moving as Dulcinea. The gentleness Don Quixote shows Dulcinea is beautiful.

This touching story within a story embraces and captives you as it takes you on a journey of valor, romance, suspense, deceit, comedy, and self examination. I would recommend experiencing at least once.

I'll keep it short. The message of this story is infinitely more important than any perceived flaws in casting, makeup, music, singing, etc. The emotions are there in this movie, and quite moving. The message is also there, and as fresh as it was when Cervantes wrote his famous book centuries ago. Don Quixote was a madman, yes, but his "quest" is one we should all embrace. Knight errantry, chivalry, compassion, and treating women with kindness and respect may be considered terribly out of sync with todays values, but when I read stories about a 16 year-old boy lured, by the promise of sex, to a savage beating death at the hands of his peers, I seriously question the soundness of those values. In many ways, today's world is every bit as "base and debauched" as it was during the Spanish Inquisition. Frankly, I would much rather live in Quixote's "mad" version of the world than I would in the reality of this one.

Squash the movie critic in you for a couple of hours and just enjoy the movie for it's wonderful message!

PS: I've been waiting years for Man of La Mancha to come out on DVD. Anybody know when?

The users on this board seemed to concur that this was somehow a bad musical but I disagree. I'm really particular when it comes to people just bursting out into song for no apparent reason and this was one of those few times where I actually liked it. I've always enjoyed the Don Quixote story and this was a fantastic turnaround. I can see why some viewers say that the singing wasn't nearly as extraordinary as it was on Broadway but few film adaptations are. Besides the acting was stellar and it drew out extreme emotions of happiness, sorrow, or laughter out of me at times. Though dirty and ragged I found Sophia Lauren to still be beautiful and her body is absolutely perfect in every way I can fathom. Peter O'Toole was great as a crazy old man set forth on an unattainable quest for glory and at the end someone who had to once again face the harsh life of reality. For those of us who haven't seen it on the stage I feel it is a wonderful performance that was thoroughly enjoyable for persons of all ages that are looking to be whisked away by a tiny bit of magic! I'm positive that I'll have some of the songs stuck in my head for at least several days now.

Final Blaze:

Movies: I don't usually see musicals on the big screen.

DVD Purchase: If my budget ever increases to a more desirable level.

Rental: An awesome choice!