The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, the doomed feature film from visionary director Terry Gilliam, commenced filming in 2002, but shooting stopped within a week when star Jean Rochefort was injured. The only result of the production that was ever released was the documentary Lost in La Mancha (2003), chronicling the attempt at making this "film that didn't want to be made".

Related Topics:
Terry Gilliam - 2002 - Jean Rochefort - Lost in La Mancha - 2003

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As shown in the documentary, the first location shoot was at a scenic, barren area north of Madrid, Spain, near a military base. Military fighter jets flew overhead repeatedly, ruining the audio recording and mandating a later re-dubbing in post-production. A flash flood on the second day of filming washed away equipment and changed the color of the barren cliffs, making the previous filming unusable. Rochefort, an able horseman, attempted to ride and act, but was obviously wincing in pain, and required assistance dismounting and walking; he flew to his doctor in Paris, where he was diagnosed with a double herniated disc. The crew attempted to shoot scenes that did not involve Rochefort for several days, but as the days passed, it became apparent he would not be able to return. Gilliam decided this was a fatal wound; he had spent two years casting the role of Don Quixote, and Rochefort had then spent seven months learning the English language for the part. The production was cancelled.

Related Topics:
Madrid, Spain - Post-production - Paris - Casting

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The film would have featured Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis, Miranda Richardson, Christopher Eccleston, Bill Paterson, Ian Holm, Peter Vaughan and Jean Rochefort.

Related Topics:
Johnny Depp - Vanessa Paradis - Miranda Richardson - Christopher Eccleston - Bill Paterson - Ian Holm - Peter Vaughan - Jean Rochefort

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After production was cancelled, an insurance claim was filed on behalf of the film's investors; US$15 million was reportedly paid. The insurance companies now own the script. Since 2003, rumors have occasionally claimed that Gilliam and his producers are lining up support to restart production.

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