Orson Welles' Don Quixote

Watch Orson Welles' Don Quixote

"One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars and the world will be better for this."
  • NR
  • 1992
  • 1 hr 55 min
  • 6.0  (887)

Orson Welles' Don Quixote from 1992 is a cinematic masterpiece that captures the beauty and tragedy of a man's obsession with his dreams. The film tells the story of an aging Spanish gentleman named Alonso Quixano, who grows disillusioned with the harsh realities of life and decides to reinvent himself as the chivalrous knight, Don Quixote.

As Don Quixote, Alonso embarks on a series of adventures across the Spanish countryside, accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho Panza. They encounter a variety of characters, from bandits and gypsies to aristocrats and commoners, and Don Quixote proceeds to tilt at windmills, rescue damsels in distress, and fight for justice and honor.

As the story unfolds, we see that Don Quixote's ideals and values are at odds with the world around him, and his attempts to live up to his own code of honor often lead to tragedy and defeat. Throughout the film, we witness the gradual unraveling of Don Quixote's mind, as he becomes increasingly lost in his own fantasy world and isolated from the people around him.

One of the standout features of Orson Welles' Don Quixote is its breathtaking cinematography. The film's striking visuals and sweeping landscapes perfectly capture the sweeping grandeur of Don Quixote's adventures, while still conveying the sense of loneliness and alienation that ultimately leads to his downfall.

The film's cast is also exceptional, particularly Francisco Reiguera in the lead role of Don Quixote. Reiguera delivers a complex and nuanced performance, balancing the character's delusions of grandeur with moments of heart-wrenching vulnerability and self-doubt. Akim Tamiroff is also noteworthy as Sancho Panza, portraying the loyal squire with a mix of humor and pathos.

Despite its many strengths, Orson Welles' Don Quixote was plagued by production problems and was never completed during Welles' lifetime. The film was pieced together posthumously from a variety of sources, including extensive rough-cut footage shot by Welles himself.

As a result, the film feels incomplete at times, and some scenes lack the polish and coherence that we might expect from a finished work. Nevertheless, the film's sheer ambition and vision make it a fascinating and rewarding viewing experience, even in its unfinished form.

Overall, Orson Welles' Don Quixote stands as a testament to the power of art and imagination, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a beautifully crafted film that captures both the joy and the tragedy of Don Quixote's delusions, and serves as a fitting tribute to one of literature's greatest characters.

Orson Welles' Don Quixote
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Description
  • Release Date
    1992
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 55 min
  • Language
    Spanish
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (887)