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Laramie Movie Scope:
Lost In La Mancha

A documentary of a movie disaster

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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January 17, 2004 -- This is a fascinating documentary for film fans. Those who are not real film fans or film students probably won't find it as interesting. This is about a film production of “Don Quixote,” directed by Terry Gilliam, plagued by bad luck as well as hubris. The film provides a unique insight into how films get made, and how they get cancelled. This inside look at this production was made possible by the unrestricted access that the documentary filmmakers had to the production process. The filmmakers, Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe already had an established professional relationship with Gilliam prior to this project, so Gilliam trusted them with complete access to the production.

“Don Quixote” was a film project that was underfunded from the beginning, so there was no margin for error. Everything had to go just right in order for the film to be finished successfully. Instead, the production is hit by bad weather, the roar of jet planes from a nearby military base, a flood, and finally, health problems which prevent the star of the movie (French actor Jean Rochefort) from participating in the production. Because of the behind-the-scenes cameras and microphones, we see the entire film project as it slowly collapses and falls apart.

“Lost in La Mancha” also highlights the roles of the director (Terry Gilliam, who directed “Brazil” and “The Fisher King”) and the first assistant director (Phil Patterson). It shows how they roll with the punches and try to salvage something. Director Terry Gilliam (also known as “Captain Chaos”) shows his passion for the project. He repeatedly says he wants to get something on film, even if it isn't what he really wanted. Gilliam hangs on to the bitter end, hoping that somehow filming can continue. Patterson, however, has a more realistic view of the project. He understands the fragility of the project and is among the first to realize that it is doomed. He is just as determined to make the film as Gilliam, but is more practical and realistic in his assessments.

Johnny Depp is one the stars of “Don Quixote.” He, and many other people involved in the film, realize it is doomed quite a lot earlier than Gilliam does. They eventually drift away from the production while Gilliam struggles on. The film suggests that Gilliam is very similar to Don Quixote himself in his inability to come to grips with the reality of the situation. Gilliam comes off looking pretty good in the film, despite his reputation for not bringing in films within budget. Part of this may be due to the fact that Fulton Pepe, who previously documented the making of another Gilliam film, “Twelve Monkeys,” may not have wanted to make Gilliam look bad, so they could continue their association with him.

Even though Gilliam appears quite practical in the documentary, no adequate explanation is given as to why he was so stubborn in insisting that Jean Rochefort is the only actor in the world who can play Don Quixote, and why there was no backup plan to replace him. It also appeared that Gilliam was quite willing to stretch the film's budget beyond its breaking point. The documentary comes off as less than honest in its examination of this failed film project and its pacing certainly could have been faster. Nevertheless, it is an interesting inside look at how films are made and how they are lost. This film is mainly for film fans, film students and fans of Gilliam and Depp. For them, it rates a B. For others, it rates a C.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2004 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)