Isn't that the truth... what a huge disappointment.
Sometimes I wish I understood more about movie making so I could know why! I mean, that movie had everything going for it. The story is one of the best of our age. Sophia Loren as Aldonza. James Coco as Sancho Panza. Even Peter O'Toole as Don Quixote (althouth I'm not a big fan of O'Toole, he is a good actor).
Excellent story, excellent cast ... I was so excited to share it with my children. I was flabbergast when it sucked so bad.
The movie adaptation of "Godspell" did the same thing to me.
All I can say is, it must be hard to make a good movie, even with a great story.
Shalom.