The journey behind The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is a complicated one. One that spans 30 years and has required two separate documentaries to explain. in 2002, Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe charted the doomed production of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote with Lost in La Mancha. 19 years later, that same crew are back with He Dreams of Giants to complete the strenuous journey. Despite several failed attempts, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote eventually saw the light of day. But how did it happen and why did Terry Gilliam persist?
When I saw The Man Who Killed Don Quixote in my hometown via a very limited screening, I honestly had no idea just how difficult the process was. This film was originally shut down in 2000 following a flood, disturbances originating from the nearby military base, and the main star having to be airlifted to hospital.The production lasted just six days. After that, each year would bring some sort of announcement about the next attempt to revive Quixote. Ewan McGregor, Robert Duvall, John Hurt, and Michael Palin were all originally signed on for later attempts. All of which never panned out. According to Nicola Pecorini, the cinematographer, there have been 7 different attempts to move the project forward. It doesn’t stop there, but to fully appreciate this incredibly unlucky endeavor this documentary is a very decent starting point.
A 30 year quest to film the impossible.
What I truly loved about this documentary was that while it indeed focused on the making of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, there was something else at the center of it. Something that changed my entire perspective on the project, and something that made it stand out compared to other film documentaries. That “thing” was Terry Gilliam. This documentary really centers on the emotional weight behind The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Not only was it a long process in terms of an actual production, but it really effected Gilliam mentally and physically. Whenever I think of film making, I’m not naive enough to believe that it’s a fun and easy job, but I always thought there was something liberating and fulfilling about it, I still do. However, Gilliam’s experience highlighted that it can be an incredibly draining experience.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote seemed like a curse. There was this idea to “leave it as a dream” and just sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened. But something clicked in Gilliam and it became an obsession. To move on with his life and to remove this mental block, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote had to be filmed and completed. The goal to finish The Man Who Killed Don Quixote became a means of catharsis for him. When the film was done, Gilliam could finally move on. That created a very interesting and conflicting feeling.
Terry Gilliam tackles the tricky windmill scene
On one hand, this project was an absolute drag on Gilliam that was ultimately a financial and emotional weight. On the other hand, as soon as Gilliam shouted “Action!” there was this immediate transformation. The passion for directing shined through his innocent face that was just mesmerized by the scene that was taking shape in front of him. While I can’t fully appreciate his maddening desire to finish the film, that transformation was incredibly sweet to witness. There was this desire to get behind the camera. As soon as he did, he was transported to the world he had created.
He Dreams of Giants is both tragic and fun. There was a sadness that plagued the documentary in relation to Terry Gilliam’s mental and physical health. But, at the same time, you could immediately see the joys of film making. Talking to the actors, going through the script, and laughing joyfully as the script came to life. The joys were there, but you were quickly reminded of the pain that followed Gilliam. If you enjoyed The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, then this documentary is an absolute must. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of the film, you’ll also respect the long and treacherous journey.
Terry Gilliam revives the famous story from the 1600s
He Dreams of Giants is a touching, fun, and saddening tribute to a story that has lasted 30 years. Even if you haven’t seen The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, this documentary is a very interesting dive into film making that perfectly illustrates what happens when things go completely wrong. It’s safe to say that The Man Who Killed Don Quixote will go down in history as one of the most disastrous and unlucky productions in cinema.
Blue Finch Film Releasing presents He Dreams of Giants on digital platforms 29 March 2021
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