The funny story of mad but kind and chivalrous elderly nobleman Don Quixote who, aided by his squire Sancho Panza, fights windmills that are seen as dragons to save prostitute Dulcinea who is seen as a noblewoman.
Director: Arthur Hiller
Stars: Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, James Coco.
Roy Jones ... assistant choreographer
Gillian Lynne ... choreographer
~20 songs in the Soundtracks (multiple reprises), all Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darion.
The poster is deceptive. I don't remember SL ever being in a lacy gown, nor do I remember any gold trim. This is not Camelot.
I remember liking the play, which I believe I saw with Richard Kiley in the title role, and I remember disliking the film. Part of that might be the fact that PO is dubbed, and suffers greatly in comparison with RK. (Then again, PO definitely has a woeful countenance.) Part of it may be the drab look of the film, always filth and rags, even when seen through the eyes of dreamer Quixote.
JC was good as Sancho Panza, singing well, reacting well. SL was very good as the combative yet hopeless and beleaguered Aldonza/Dulcinea, which may be part of my dislike of the film. She does soften at the end with PO's attentions (all noble), but it's too little too late.
This is one of 2 famous screenplays by Dale Wasserman (who also wrote the play), the other being One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ('75). Both are adaptations of another author: Cervantes and Kesey. The only other of his 6 film writing credits that I've seen, Mister Buddwing ('66), also concerns a man with a mental issue (amnesia).
I think listening to a soundtrack of the play would bring more pleasure than watching this film.
distr. UA, dir. Hiller; 6
