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Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Orson Welles died in 1985 but his reputation as one of the great film-makers of the last century is undeniable, if only because of his scintillating 1941 debut, Citizen Kane. However, this richly rewarding documentary from director Mark Cousins breathes fresh, invigorating life into a 20th-century icon by way of a unique box of delights: Welles's unseen sketches, drawings and paintings. Cousins uses this "lifetime of lines" to reveal the artist and person beneath the myth. Familiar tales of Welles's Wisconsin childhood, youthful foreign travels, 1930s activism, championing of African-American theatre and love life take on a much brighter hue after Cousins eschews voiceover for an imagined intimate conversation with his subject that's inquisitive, affectionate and inspiring. Welles's views on politics, race, power and its abuse are as resonant now as they've ever been - his rationale for altering the end of his movie adaptation of The Trial remains profoundly relevant. "Who were you?" asks Cousins at the outset. This wonderful portrait offers some fascinating answers.

How to watch

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Credits

Cast

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Orson WellesJack Klaff
Beatrice WellesBeatrice Welles
Orson WellesOrson Welles

Crew

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DirectorMark Cousins

Details

Theatrical distributor
Dogwoof
Released on
2018-08-17
Languages
English
Guidance
Nudity
Available on
DVD
Formats
Colour
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