MONSIGNOR QUIXOTE

UK, 1987, 100 minutes, Colour.
Alec Guinness, Leo McKern?, Ian Richardson, Philip Stone, Rosalie Crutchley, Graham Crowden, Maurice Denham.
Directed by Rodney Bennett.

Monsignor Quixote is a telemovie adaptation of the novella by Graham Greene. Written in Greene's old age, it is about society - a bit akin to Don Camillo and his relationship with the communist mayor, Peppone. Monsignor Quixote, like his ancestor the Don, is an idealist, an observer of human nature, naive but seeing goodness everywhere. The Mayor is his Sancho, a man with a communist background, a critic of the religious viewpoint. The two roles are expertly played by Alec Guinness and Leo Mc Kern.

1. The popularity-of Graham Greene's work? His novella? Adaptation as a telemovie? The stars and their performances?

2. A telemovie, British quality? Spanish locations, evocation of atmosphere? Musical score and moods?

3. The title, the link with Don Quixote? His descendant as a Catholic priest? The allegory with Don Quixote's adventures? Updated? The comparisons?

4. Alec Guinness as Monsignor Quixote: in the village, details of his life, study, regrets? The parish? The house and the meals? The bishop: help, the meal, talk, promotion? His way with words? Theresa and her protection? The town and his work? Sancho and being ousted? Politics in Spain, communists? Franco? The civil war?

5. Monsignor Quixote and his talking and arguing with Sancho? Issues, conflict? The decision about the trip? His car being his Rocinante? The police - and the windmills? The journey? Continued talk and discussion? Faith in the Trinity? The wine? The worldly experiences on the trip? The socks? Changing collars? The hearing of confession? The sex film and Monsignor's reaction? The visit to Franco's tomb? Wandering the cities, laughing gently at human nature? The criminal and the Latin? The shoes? The bishop and his anxiety? Avila? Theresa and the phone call? The drive, praying, the visit to the Cistercian monastery? The final Mass? The curate? The bishop and his attitude towards scandal? Death? The madness of the dreamer? Fantasy and realism?

6. The allegory? Leo Mc Kern as the Communist, his story, the seminary, the brothel, faith, Karl Marx? The ousting of Monsignor Quixote? The bishop? The promotion? The journey, talk in the car, Monsignor's socks, the change, the collar, the inquiries? The Basques~ The police? the brothel? The pornographic film? His repenting? Faith and talk? The end?
The bishop from Africa, hospitality, the horse, Pope, promotion?

7. The bishop and the tax collectors? Serious? Suspension? The curate and his age, experience, his pursed lips and attitudes towards Monsignor Quixote?

8. Theresa and her severity, concern, the meals, the phone call, and checking on his safety?

9. The police, their attitudes, the encounters with the travelling two?

10. The Mexicans and the money?

11. The Cistercian monastery and the professor?

12. The background of theology, the teaching authority of the church, Scripture? Simplicity and study? Wisdom? Reconciliation and confession? Life and death?' The effect of each character on the other?

13. The differences of ideology? Difficulties and differences? Franco? Faith? The church? The bond of companions?