Welles’ best film after Kane? It certainly has more depth and humanity than Touch Of Evil, even if the edges are more ragged, the style less polished- one of the downsides of working outside the studio system. And one of the best onscreen Shakespeare adaptations, too: he seems to be having a lot more fun with the text than Olivier or Branagh ever did. Indeed, perhaps the film’s key strength is to get to the real emotional core of Shakespeare’s characters, alternating between high politics and low slapstick, with Welles bumbling around the battlefield in his fatsuit of armour a unique highlight. Falstaff was a role that could have been written for the older Orson, a portly, lovable rogue in love with his own fading legend, alternately wistful and braggadocious but never cruel. This was the director’s favourite of his own films, and it’s easy to see why- after all the trials it took to get the piece completed it stands as a genuine masterpiece, messy and rough edged like it’s maker, and equally blessed by genius.
by Tom Huddleston | Source: DVD
29 Apr 2007 3:07 PM | Comments (3)
Hey, Tom. I don’t mean to be contrary but despite the brilliant repuatation of Chimes, I always thought that The Trial was Welles’ favorite of his own films. In fact, I remember his quote as “Say what what you want but The trial is the best film I have ever made.” Of course, I’m not sure when he said it. But he made Chimes a few years after The Trial, so he may have had a change of opinion.
Incidentally, is the copy you viewed the Spain import? I wish Criterion or Facets or someone would but the print, polish it up and reisuue a special edition DVD. It’s about time.
I get the feeling Orson was one of those guys who loved all his children. I certainly read that this was the favourite, but I could imagine that changing from day to day.
Not sure which version I saw, but you’re right, a reissue would be welcome.
yes – a good DVD of this would be very very welcome. The print I saw in college was in ridiculously bad shape and the sound was virtually incomprehensible. still, a lot of the magic of the movie came through…
Tyree
30 April 2007
3:18 PM