Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gilliam's dark, challenging, but fantastic Quixote movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
What's the Story?
In THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE, filmmaker Toby Grisoni (Adam Driver) is in Spain shooting a commercial that involves the literary characters Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. After a bad day on the set, a gypsy sells him a DVD that turns out to be Toby's own black-and-white student film from 10 years earlier. He discovers that their location isn't far from where he shot that film and goes searching for his one-time leading lady, Angelica (Joana Ribeiro). Instead, he discovers his old Quixote (Jonathan Pryce), who's now convinced that he's the real thing and has become a tourist attraction. Quixote escapes and, convinced that Toby is Sancho Panza, takes Toby along, searching for adventures. Before long, the lines between reality and fantasy start to blur.
Is It Any Good?
Terry Gilliam's long-dreamed-of project finally comes to light in this great, long, wandering, bizarre, fantastic movie. It's filled with personal signature touches yet still honors author Miguel de Cervantes. Truthfully, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote probably isn't for casual viewers; it's almost essential to have some knowledge of the original book, as well as some idea of the nature of Gilliam's work. But viewers who appreciated the wild, visionary madness of Brazil, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus will feel right at home here.
Gilliam vividly tunes into Cervantes' complex themes, such as a denouncement of reality and an embracing of lost values, as well as a keen awareness of modernism. The director coats these and other ideas with new cinematic layers. The movie is funny and tragic, playful and dark, hopefully romantic and heartbreaking, all at the same time. It's also frantic, difficult to nail down, and without purchase. It's like crazy dreams and hallucinations banging around with snippets of reality. Driver does his best to anchor everything, but, understandably, his character goes a little nutty in reaction to everything happening around him. But it's great to see Pryce back with Gilliam -- they made Brazil together -- and as such a lovable Quixote. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is a challenge, but it's one that's very much worth the effort.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Man Who Killed Don Quixote's violence. How strong is it? Does it provoke laughter or shock? How does the movie achieve this?
What did you learn about the characters of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza from the movie? Did it inspire you to read the original book or do further research?
Why do you think Don Quixote is such an enduring character? What does he have to say to us today?
Why did it take so long for Gilliam to make this movie? What obstacles did he overcome to finally finish it?
How does the movie view women? Do they need to be rescued?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 19, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : June 4, 2019
- Cast : Adam Driver , Jonathan Pryce , Olga Kurylenko
- Director : Terry Gilliam
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Screen Media Films
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 132 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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