Man of La Mancha

Man of La Mancha
United Artists, 1972, Color, 129 minutes, ***½
Released December, 1972


O'Toole's interpretation is interesting, and his acting superb (as always). The principals seem a bit lost from time to time, but their acting and the powerful story seem to overcome the production's (relative) weaknesses, in my opinion. Sophia Loren's portrayal of Dulcinea is really quite good. It's the story one must focus on, as well as the music. Definitely worth watching!

Produced and Directed by: Arthur Hiller
Associate Producer: Saul Chaplin
Executive Producer: Alberto Grimaldi
Production Manager: Luciano Piperno
Screen Play by: Dale Wasserman
Based on the Musical Play "Man of La Mancha" written by Dale Wasserman
Original Production Staged by Albert Marre
Produced on the New York Stage by Albert W. Selden and Hal James
Suggested by the book Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Music by: Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by: Joe Darion
Music Adapted and Conducted by: Laurence Rosenthal
Musical Associate: Herbert Spencer
Choreography by: Gillian Lynne
Assistant Choreographer: Roy Jones
Sets and Costumes: Luciano Damiani
Set Dresser: Arrigo Breschi
Makeup: Charles Parker, Euclide Santoli and Giuseppe Annunziala
Hairdressing: Amalia Paolelli, Ramon Gow and Ada Palombi
Sound by: David Hildyard and Richard Portman
Photographed by: Giuseppe Rotunno
Special Effects: Adriano Pischiutta
Color by DeLuxe
Edited by: Robert C. Jones

Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Song Score

Cast: Peter O'Toole [Don Quixote de La Mancha / Miguel Cervantes / Alonso Quijana], Sophia Loren [Dulcinea / Aldonza], James Coco [Sancho Panza], Harry Andrews [The Innkeeper / The Governor], John Castle [Sanson Carrasco / The Duke], Brian Blessed [Pedro], Ian Richardson [The Padre], Julie Gregg [Antonia], Rosalie Crutchley [The Housekeeper], Gino Conforti [The Barber], Marne Maitland [Captain of the Guard], Dorothy Sinclair [The Innkeeper's Wife], Miriam Acevedo [Fermina], Dominic Bartó, Poldo Bendandi, Peppi Borza, Mario Donen, Fred Evans, Francesco Ferrini, Paolo Gozlino, Teddy Green, Peter Johnston, Roy Jones, Connel Miles, Steffen Zacharias, Lou Zamprogna [Muleteers], Simon Gilbert [singing voice for Peter O'Toole]

Musical Program: [0:20] Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) (sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole and James Coco); [0:30] It's All the Same (sung by Sophia Loren); [0:39] Dulcinea (sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole and Mens Chorus); [0:43] I'm Only Thinking of Him (sung by Julie Gregg, Rosalie Crutchley, and Ian Richardson); [0:52] I Really Like Him (sung by James Coco); [0:55] The Barber's Song (sung by Gino Conforti); [0:58] Golden Helmet of Mambrino (sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole, James Coco, Gino Conforti, and Mens Chorus); [1:09] Little Bird, Little Bird (sung by Mens Chorus); [1:16] The Impossible Dream (The Quest) (sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole); [1:25] Dubbing (Knight of the Woeful Countenance) (sung by Harry Andrews, Sophia Loren, James Coco); [1:31] The Impossible Dream (The Quest) (reprise, sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole); [1:35] Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) (reprise, sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole and James Coco); [1:37] Aldonza (sung by Sophia Loren); [1:47] A Little Gossip (sung by James Coco); [1:55] Dulcinea (reprise, sung by Sophia Loren); [1:56] The Impossible Dream (The Quest) (reprise, sung by Simon Gilbert dubbing for Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren); [1:59] The Psalm (sung by Ian Richardson); [1:31] The Impossible Dream (The Quest) (reprise, sung by Sophia Loren and Prisoners)