Man of La Mancha

PG

Released Dec 11, 1972

2 hr. 10 min.

Musical

List

53%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the volatile days of the Spanish Inquisition, the writer Miguel de Cervantes (Peter O'Toole) and his manservant (James Coco) make livings as tax collectors but soon find themselves imprisoned after being accused of crimes against the church. Now facing the wrath of their fellow inmates, Cervantes must persuade the unruly bunch not to burn his prized manuscript -- by performing it for them. With the help of a prostitute (Sophia Loren), they begin the tale of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

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Audience Member

As an adaptation of a masterpiece of a musical it by default is fantastic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

steve d

Well done version with a good cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Las actuación de los actores principales es tan perfecta que me hace llorar de emoción. Very good movie with perfect acting. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/18

Full Review

Audience Member

When I saw this 45 years ago, I was influenced by the critics and the memory of the original score with Richard Kiley singing the lead. He was great in the role. However at my more advanced age, I am able to re-assess this film. The acting was certainly one of the greatest parts of this movie. O'Toole was a master of his craft. A joy to watch. The film was actually very faithful to the original play, retaining the best lines. Almost all of the original music survives. Some deletions are usual for films, but it was not too noticeable here. Good film and well worth the time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I've not seen the play or read the book (yet), so I will be judging based purely on the film itself. I personally thought it was great. I don't know what other people are complaining about when they review the acting, as I thought the acting was fine and conveyed emotion very well for each of the characters. I had read earlier (before watching) that the singing had been dubbed in, but even while I was watching I honestly couldn't tell. The songs were great, the score was great, and they kept me involved in the film. The story started off a little slow, and it keeps that pace throughout the whole movie. However, if you enjoy movies for the story aspects and aren't one of those people who need to have an action scene every half hour, you'll find the pace works for the film. Speaking about what action there is in the movie, it's definitely more on the comedic side. Wounds are exaggerated, weapons aren't practical, and props are mostly silly. The main action sequence was something that you have to basically suspend your disbelief for because it's something you'd see in a cartoon or cheesy live action kids' movie. However, it doesn't take away from the storytelling at all. Another point I will bring up is Medieval realism. I'm very much into accurate depictions of the time where this movie takes place. However, there were a lot of flaws with this aspect of the film: armour looked ridiculous and poorly made, and the environment had issues with realism. The clothing was on the edge of bad and okay. Overall, I came into this movie not knowing what to expect due to its age, budget, and story, but came out satisfied. I almost shed a few tears near the end of the movie as well. The songs are still in my head and I'll definitely be showing my SO this movie. Sure, some parts are comedic or ridiculous, but it's still a very much enjoyable film. As for how it compares to the play or book, again, I cannot say. 4/5

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

***IN ORDER TO ATTAIN THE IMPOSSIBLE, ONE MUST ATTEMPT THE ABSURD MOVIE MUSICAL***

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

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Arthur Hiller

Director

Peter O'Toole

Don Quixote de La Mancha

Sophia Loren

Aldonza

James Coco

Sancho Panza

Harry Andrews

The 'Governor'

John Castle

The 'Duke'

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Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - Cervantes Transforms

2:05

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - Little Bird

2:23

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - It's All the Same

3:00

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - Vision of Dulcinea

2:35

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - To Dream the Impossible Dream

2:18

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - Man of La Mancha

2:40

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - The Knight of the Mirrors

2:13

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - Follow the Quest

2:44

Man of La Mancha: Official Clip - The Impossible Dream

2:08

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Once this emotion began to take hold, and it was clear that "The Impossible Dream" meant purity in the carnal sense, the movie became more compelling. This happens mostly because Sophia Loren.

Sep 29, 2023

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Here's a musical that's supposed to be some kind of affirmation of human hope, and all it really does is encourage whistling in the dark. What's worse, it does so with words and ideas that would embarrass a Dale Carnegie instructor.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

David Elliott

Chicago Daily News

Peter O'Toole, as Don Quixote-Cervantes, gives a performance of such sincerity, stylized with such a fine line, that he carries the movie right along with him, past the bad songs and clumsy action scenes and Wasserman's often squishy dialogue.

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An ugly and unseemly adaptation.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 16, 2021

Full Review

Judith Crist

Texas Monthly

If you are a la Mancha devotee, you will love the film: if you were cool, or unaware, you will find a surprisingly good entertainment on hand, with stars well worth the gazing.

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

Christopher Hudson

The Spectator

For the most part [Peter O'Toole] and Sophia Loren as Dulcinea fight the unwinnable fight against the assassins of Cervantes's reputation.

Nov 17, 2017

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the volatile days of the Spanish Inquisition, the writer Miguel de Cervantes (Peter O'Toole) and his manservant (James Coco) make livings as tax collectors but soon find themselves imprisoned after being accused of crimes against the church. Now facing the wrath of their fellow inmates, Cervantes must persuade the unruly bunch not to burn his prized manuscript -- by performing it for them. With the help of a prostitute (Sophia Loren), they begin the tale of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Director: Arthur Hiller
Executive Producer: Alberto Grimaldi
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: United Artists
Rating: PG
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008

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