Rating: 
Summary: What a sweet movie!
Review: I watched this movie yesterday in my English class after we read the book and it was great. It is such a simple story, but at the same time so deep and interesting! If you liked the book, then you will defintely like the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Music, Lousy Story
Review: While I loved the music of this version of the classic by Miguel De Cervantes, I hated the story line because it is nothing like the author wrote. The author never was in trouble with the Spanish Inquistion. Quite to the contrary his book was reviewed, revered, and well recommended by the censors who could not get enough of this erstwhile mad knight! He did spend sometime in prison for alleged misappropriation of funds due to soldiers. There he wrote some but not all of Don Quixote. He also fought the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto and was maimed. These facts are never brought out in this musical or in the even worse screenplay: Don Quixote. He was captured in another battle and made a slave as O'Toole says in this musical, and it is perhaps there with failed ideals of the glory of war - got his inspiration for Don Quixote.Again I say I loved the music as well as the acting. Peter O'Toole as Cervantes gave a fine performance as did Sophia Loren as Aldonza and James Coco as Sancho. However anyone who reads the book knows Aldonza actually existed only in the mind of Don Quixote, who was so humored by Sancho. Aldonza is not a real character in the book as this musical portrays. I am disappointed with the way the musical was produced - half on some poor stage and half outside in some field. The scenery looks like some cheesey Hollywood backlot. The supporting cast members do a good job but the leave the viewer wanting for the developement given them in the novel. With and without the full story, much of the action looses the humor Cervantes had intended. For example Don Quixote did not just fight with windmills, but attacked two herds of sheep and shepherds thinking they were enemy invaders. My best advice is to forget this movie and read the book!
Rating: 
Summary: God save Broadway from this
Review: I am certifiably Peter O'Toole's biggest fan; he is the finest actor our culture has ever produced. (Go out and rent "The Lion in Winter" now; a better movie has never been made.) But with all due respect to the knee-jerk democratic impulses of the reviewer below who declared that those who love this travesty have a right to their opinion, when that opinion is so ridiculous as to declare manure to be rosebuds, well, no, they don't. There is NO singing on the album, if we can agree that singing requires meeting the minimum standard of actually hitting the notes (at least occasionally). It's so bad, I find it hard to believe Peter O'Toole WAS dubbed. (I tremble to consider the lack of judgment exhibited in releasing this tripe at all.) As to the "expressiveness" theory of singing posited below, where "technical" qualities (defined as those things which do not cause one's ears to bleed) do not matter, O'Toole does make for a wonderful THREATENING, pressured madman (think "Night of the Generals" or "The Ruling Class"), but Don Quixote is not that sort at all. This has to be his single worst acting job -- "Creator" and "Club Med" included. This is just bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. If you love musical theater, yourself, Peter O'Toole, or humanity, do not buy this valueless piece of metallicized plastic. Don't listen to the clips. Don't even buy it if you need an extra coaster, because someone you love might see it and become correupted by it. Buy the real version; Richard Kiley deserves the royalties on this one. I only gave it one star because they wouldn;t let me give it zero (and they failed to provide the negative ratings which in this case would be so richly deserved).
Rating: 
Summary: Well I enjoyed it
Review: I bought this cd along with the broadway version to listen to and help me prepare for my part as Don Quixote in my school play.I thoroughly enjoyed both recordings,and while the broadway version was undeniably more professional,I appreciated hearing these versions of the songs as well.Listen to the audio clips and make your own judgement.
Rating:
Summary: Man of La Mancha- Featuring Peter O'Toole
Review: An Ode to Artists everywhere, or anyone who has combat pain with fantasy, or saw the poetry in harsh reality. The 1972 Film adaptation of "Man Of La Mancha" featuring Peter O'Toole is well acted, well cut, and finely directed. This witty adaptation of Dale Wasserman's popular, award winning musical based on Cervante's "Don Quixote", remains a finely tuned piece of pathos, both visceral and pleasant. The touching Mitch Leigh score will make you laugh and cry in one sitting. A must see film for anyone who has ever: "dreamed the impossible dream".
Rating:
Summary: After almost Thirty years I still cry
Review: I first saw Man of La Mancha as a young child. I cried then and it still brings me to tears at 33(much to my fathers amusement). I have searched everywhere for this classic for my children, and finally found it here. None have left me as touched as this version. I think the movie is great for anyone who isn't embarrassed to cry. If you can appreciate the insanity of true love and faith, you'll love the movie. "The Impossible Dream" is a truly inspirational piece of music.
Rating:
Summary: An Awful Recording
Review: This is one of the greatest atrocities in the world of the Hollywood Musical. These are NOT dubbed performances--they actually let Peter O'Toole, Sophia Loren, and James Coco sing their roles. And they did them so badly that the WORST junior high school production of Man of La Mancha sounds better. Loren's "Aldonza" and O'Toole's "The Impossible Dream" are enough to make people run screaming from the room. Stick with the original Broadway cast recording--and burn all copies of this one.
Rating:
Summary: A disgrace from start to finish
Review: This is a horrific recording -- a pointless desecration of a classic Broadway score. Everyone involved in this recording will never outlive the shame of it. Just as painful to listen to as the film is to see -- spare yourself! While those who love it (see reviews below) have every right to their opinion, they are in a decided minority among showtune lovers. This film and recording were major failures -- and deservedly so. Stick to the glorious Original Cast on MCA.
Rating: 
Summary: Onward to glory I go!
Review: I love this musical. I first saw it in Spanish class, after we read the book. It was sweet, touching, and at times very funny. I didn't like the scenes that showed what happened to Aldonza--but that, I guess, was the reality of her situation at the time. The songs are amazing, and the acting is right on the money. I was singing "Man of La Mancha"(I,Don Quixote) for weeks afterward. I'm sure my family thought I was nuttier than Alonso Quijana. But it was worth it. See this movie!
Rating:
Summary: To Each His Own
Review: I have the LP of this recording. I have listened to it MANY times. I have recently listened to selections from the original Broadway play, and I have to agree with some of the other reviewers, the movie sound track is more realistic and believable. I have no objection to singing parts being dubbed in as they did for Mr. O'Toole. I could have sworn that they did the same for Sophia Loren. I have always loved the movie and I guess that jaded me away from the play. I also agree that the concept of Don Quixote is invigorating and inspiring. As Mr O'Toole says: "... and maddest of all is to see life as it is, instead of as it should be."
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