[11] The cast included Welles as Falstaff, Keith Baxter as Prince Hal, Hilton Edwards as the Narrator,[26] Reginald Jarman as Henry IV[27] and Alexis Kanner as Hotspur. [87], In 2011, Bonham's Auction House sold a large archive of Welles' material that had once belonged to the film's executive producer Alessandro Tasca di Cuto. [34] Welles finally abandoned the entire project in late March 1960, when his friend Laurence Olivier offered him the chance to direct him in Eugne Ionesco's play Rhinoceros on London's West End. However, Welles decided to take a slightly different approach with Chimes at Midnight. Mr Bongo Records screened a restored version in the UK at Picturehouse Cinemas on August 1, 2011. Chimes at Midnight Original title: Campanadas a medianoche 1965 Not Rated 1h 55m IMDb RATING 7.7 /10 9.5K YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 1:50 2 Videos 87 Photos Comedy Drama History When King Henry IV ascends to the throne, his heir, the Prince of Wales, is befriended by Sir John Falstaff, an old, overweight, fun-loving habitual liar. "[115], Welles' alleged biological son Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who was born out of wedlock to Welles and actress Geraldine Fitzgerald, first met Welles when he was 15 and later worked on the 1960 stage play Chimes at Midnight. Baxter also stated that he, Welles and Michael Aldridge recorded voices for several characters in post-production. Before the New York Film Festival premiere of Hermia and Helena, his 2016 riff on A Midsummer Nights Dream, the Argentine director stopped by to discuss the Bard and the movies that shaped him as a filmmaker. Back in January, veteran actor Keith Baxter stopped by the Criterion offices for lunch and regaled us with memories of his experience working with Orson Welles. Read critic reviews. Yes, it was cold. After a main credit sequence, the narrator explains that King Henry IV of England has succeeded Richard II, whom he has killed. "[91] The pristine 35mm print was discovered by Distribpix Inc., who said it was "in such great condition that it is begging for a full 4k scan restoration. Welles felt a strong connection to the character of Falstaff and called him "Shakespeare's greatest creation". Crew . This excerpt from The Merv Griffin Show, broadcast September 21, 1965, features an interview with director Orson Welles while at the editing table for CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT. Chimes at Midnight has a little of everything: low comedy, highly artistic camera angles, exciting battle scenes (the battle of Shrewesbury scene influenced Braveheart) and a deeply moving story that Welles has 'discovered' between the lines of Shakespeare's histories. Everything prepares for it. We know Falstaff is not dead, and Welles finds a way to let Hal know, too: the frost on the old man's breath puffs out from beneath his visor. Terms and Policies A classic story adapted by a filmmaker near his creative peak, History, "[43] Welles called Hal's rejection of Falstaff "one of the greatest scenes ever written, so the movie is really a preparation for it. Its sources were Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, Henry V, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Henry VI, Part 1, Henry VI, Part 2, Henry VI, Part 3 and Richard IIIsometimes collectively called the "War of the Roses cycle". Be the first one to write a review. [93] Welles was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Foreign Actor in 1968[94] In Spain, the film won the Citizens Writers Circle Award for Best Film in 1966. [114] The love triangle between Prince Hal and his two father figures, Henry IV and Falstaff, is also similar to Welles' relationships with his father and the two men who became surrogate fathers to him: family friend Dr. Maurice Bernstein and Todd School for Boys headmaster Roger Hill. Welles observed his father much like Falstaff is observed by Hal and depends on his young protg to bail him out of trouble. The battle is intercut with shots of a fat man in armor, hurrying and scurrying out of the way and finally playing dead. It lasts fully 10 minutes, chaotic action at a brutal pitch, horses and men confused in smoke and fog, steel crashing against steel, cries of pain, desperate struggles, confused limbs caked in mud and blood, men falling exhausted or dead. I speak to thee my heart! [70] Critical reception on its first release was mostly negative; the film was not regarded as one of Welles' best until years later. comment. [14][15][16] The play's music was composed by Aaron Copland.
[69], Chimes at Midnight premiered to a positive audience reception at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival. This is a magnificent film, clearly among Welles' greatest work, joining "Citizen Kane," "The Magnificent Ambersons," "Touch of Evil" and (I would argue) "The Trial." After a long and bloody fight, the King's men win the battle, after which Hotspur and Hal meet alone and duel; as Falstaff watches, Hal kills Hotspur. By far the best of Welle's three Shakespearean adaptations this is also arguably THE best Shakespeare on screen. Alpine Films, Sound Mix: Henry finally has faith in Hal and advises him on how to be a king. Welles said that the core of the film's story was "the betrayal of friendship." At boarding school, the 14-year-old . [38] Filming began in Colmenar and included all of John Gielgud's scenes. Gielgud was known for his classical interpretation of Shakespeare, and his performance consists almost entirely of words, which are unable to defeat either Northumberland's rebels or Hal's wild behavior. Through Falstaff's eyes we see the reign of King Henry IV and the rise of Henry V. Falstaff: My King! "[73], Judith Crist praised the film as "stark, simple, concentrating on word and performance, serv[ing] as a reminder of where the substance of the play lies. In Shakespeare, this is a soliloquy; in Welles, Falstaff listens in the back of the shot and is forewarned. The narrator explains that Hal went on to become a good and noble king. In celebration of the newly recovered stolen treasure, Falstaff and Hal take turns impersonating Henry, with a cooking pot crown and vocal impressions. 6,135 Views . I refer not to incomplete or abandoned projects that have gathered legends, but to "Chimes at Midnight" (1965), his film about Falstaff, which has survived in acceptable prints and is ripe for restoration. [84] Kenneth Branagh's Henry V used Welles' Battle of Shrewsbury sequence as an inspiration for the Battle of Agincourt,[63] and depicted Prince Hal's rejection of Falstaff in a way that was more influenced by Chimes at Midnight than from more traditional interpretations of the scene. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Chimes at Midnight (Aka Falstaff) (DVD, 1966) at the best online prices at eBay! Welles continued to adjust the play throughout its short production, and at one point moved Mistress Quickly's speech about Falstaff's death to the very beginning of the play. [54] Other filming locations included the Chateau Calataazor, Puerta de San Vincente, the Soria Cathedral[55] and the city of vila. Released January 1st, 2022, 'From Introduction to Orson Welles's Falstaff: Chimes at Midnight' stars Orson Welles The movie has a runtime of about 5 min, and received a user score of (out of 100 . The crowning achievement of Orson Welless extraordinary cinematic career, CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT was the culmination of the filmmakers lifelong obsession with Shakespeares ultimate rapscallion, Sir John Falstaff. He and other actors circle verticals and one another as they speak, just as Welles and Joseph Cotten circled in "Citizen Kane" and "The Third Man." A ny director who creates an instantly iconic film as their debut feature will always be expected to reach that level of success on every subsequent project; it's an unfair standard, but film films. Neither of these plays was successful, but Welles considered portraying Falstaff to be his life's ambition and turned the project into a film. However, Welles was always a rebel within the industry, and believed that he could find success taking a different slant on the beloved material. Directed by Orson Welles 1966 Spain, Switzerland with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, and I found this laugh out loud hilarious at some times and emotionally resonate at others. Welles spared no expense in bringing the castles and battlefields of medieval times to life in stunning detail; the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 is particularly gruesome and epic, even if Falstaff himself adds a touch of humor to the events by hiding and cowering. Recorded in 2016, this commentary features film scholar James Naremore, author of The Magic World of Orson Welles.. [56] Welles was harsh with his crew members and according to actor Andrew Faulds, "he spoke in five different languages to them and was pretty offensivevery demanding. "[8] Welles told Peter Bogdanovich that "even if the good old days never existed, the fact that we can conceive of such a world is, in fact, an affirmation of the human spirit. [89], In 2012, for the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound poll, 11 film critics and two directors voted Chimes at Midnight one of the 10 greatest films of all time, including McBride and Todd McCarthy. Throughout the film, Falstaff, Hal, and Hotspur imitate Gielgud, mocking the words of Henry IV. [17] Welles commissioned an elaborate revolving set to be built, but it was not completed during the five weeks allotted to rehearsals. Chimes At Midnight draws primarily from Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2, but also includes segments from Richard II, Henry V, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. [67] In both Chimes at Midnight and in Henry V, this scene is followed by Falstaff's death. Privacy Policy It's hard to fault so I won't try, merely revel in a touch of greatness. Simon Callow played Falstaff to Keith Baxters King Henry IV in a 1998 production of Orson Welless stage version of CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT. Long overdue, but Summer of Shakespeare comes to a close with one of the greatest Shakespeare films ever made.All third party clips are used under Fair Use.F. [30] [31] Welles' alleged biological son Michael Lindsay-Hogg also worked on the play as an actor and as Edwards's personal assistant. As great as George Romeros other films were, he will always be known as the mastermind behind Night of the Living Dead; similarly, Jordan Peele will always be referred to as the writer/director of Get Out, even though Us and Nope were also well-received. A Brazilian import that will play on North American machines can be ordered at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007X6KM2/qid=1149816465/sr=1-1/. [6] Chimes at Midnight originated in 1939 as a stage play called Five Kings, which Welles wrote and partially staged. "I know thee not, old man: fall to thy prayers; Cinemark "[110] Film scholar Beverle Houston argued that this nostalgia made Welles' depiction of Falstaff infantile and called his performance a "[p]ower babyan eating, sucking, foetus-like creature. As Falstaff looks up at Hal with a mixture of pride and despair, the new king banishes Falstaff. This brilliantly crafted Shakespeare adaptation was the culmination of Welles's lifelong obsession with the Bard's ultimate rapscallion, Sir John Falstaff, the loyal, often soused . His son is no consolation; the king envies Northumberland his son Henry Percy, known as Hotspur (Norman Rodway), and wishes "would I have his Harry, and he mine." [63], Welles' adaptation of five Shakespeare plays was not a chronological transcription of the original texts. We were proud to announce earlier this week that Orson Welless legendary masterpiece Chimes at Midnight will be joining the collection come August. Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head: Season 2, Link to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 5, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to RT25: Celebrating 25 Years of Rotten Tomatoes, Link to Betty Gilpin & Co. on Deciphering. Visually stupendous exercise from Orson Welles that should be at the front line of Great Movies next to his other masterpieces. For two nights Orson did a one-man show, starting with readings of J.M Synge, Riders to the Sea, Moby Dick and the works of Isak Dinesen. [39][40] Hilton Edwards was initially cast as Justice Silence, but was replaced after he became ill.[41] The title Chimes at Midnight derives from Henry IV, Part 2, where in response to Justice Shallow's reminiscing of their long-past school days, Falstaff states: "We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow". The performances are uniformly strong as well. Piedra did not think a Shakespearian film was marketable enough and proposed that Welles make a version of Treasure Island instead. After premiering at the Grand Opera House in Belfast on February 13, 1960, and receiving a good review from a Variety correspondent, it moved to the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. [47][48], The exploitation filmmaker Jess "Jess" Franco worked as an assistant director for the film. And in bringing him to the screen, I found him only occasionally, and only deliberately, a clown. Orson Welles' vision is strange, powerful and inspiring. The soundstage that Welles used to shoot the majority of the indoor scenes was immaculate and detailed in its design. The coronation continues into the castle as Falstaff walks away, stating that he will be sent for that evening. [54] Welles filmed all of the battle scenes in long takes, but cut the shots into fragments to create the effect that he wanted. Note the boundless affection Falstaff has for all around him, so real that even Quickly forgives his debts and allows him to contract new ones. Preparing to attend the epic production of both parts of Shakespeare's "Henry IV" at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, I wanted to see it again and found it available on DVD from Spain and Brazil. Emiliano Piedra, In the film it is stated that this man is Falstaff, and that the incident he is pardoning is Falstaff's disturbance of Hal's coronation. The King's army, including Falstaff, parades through the streets and off to war. Through Falstaff's eyes we see the Read allWhen King Henry IV ascends to the throne, his heir, the Prince of Wales, is befriended by Sir John Falstaff, an old, overweight, fun-loving habitual liar. "[82] In 2006, Roger Ebert praised the film as "a magnificent film, clearly among Welles' greatest work. Welles agreed to this on condition that he could simultaneously make Chimes at Midnight, and Piedra agreed not knowing that Welles had no intention of making Treasure Island. He has also published three volumes of a Welles biography. Welles uses dramatic camera angles, craning to look up at the trumpeters atop the battlements as Henry IV rides off to battle. It is also magnificent Shakespeare, focusing on Falstaff through the two "Henry IV" plays to his offstage death in "Henry V." Although the plays are much abridged, it is said there is not a word in the film not written by Shakespeare. Through Falstaff's eyes we see the reign of King Henry IV and the rise of Henry V. When King Richard II is dethroned and King Henry IV ascends to the throne, his heir, the Prince of Wales, is befriended by Sir John Falstaff, an old, overweight, fun-loving habitual liar. 10th Chicago Critics Film Fest Features Past Lives, Blackberry, Sanctuary, Theater Camp, and Many More, A Road Paved with Bloodshed: High Plains Drifter Turns 50, Cannes 2023 Line-up Includes Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, and Many More, Ebertfest Welcomes Molly Cornyn as its New Project Coordinator. That Gielgud played the king and others such as Margaret Rutherford (Mistress Quickly) Jeanne Moreau (Doll Tearsheet) and Fernando Rey (Worcester) also appeared in the film is a tribute to Welles' reputation, for on a budget of less than $1 million he was, like Falstaff, not prompt to pay. However, after New York Times critic Bosley Crowther's unfavorable advance review, American distributor Harry Saltzman decided to give the film little publicity and minimal distribution when it was released in the U.S. the next year. original, Release Date (Streaming): Chimes at Midnight (1966) | The Criterion Collection Orson Welles Chimes at Midnight The crowning achievement of Orson Welles's extraordinary cinematic career, Chimes at Midnight was the culmination of the filmmaker's lifelong obsession with Shakespeare's ultimate rapscallion, Sir John Falstaff. 1h 55m, Distributor: Henry's heir, Prince Hal (Keith Baxter), is a ne'er-do-well carouser who drinks and causes mischief with his low-class friends, especially his rotund father figure, John Falstaff (Orson Welles). In honor of one of the great leading ladies of French cinema, who passed away earlier this week, the Criterion Channel features ten of her most memorable performances. Welles later said that he had rejected offers for funding that were conditional upon filming in color. Anderegg wrote that this, in combination with Welles' fast-paced camera movements and editing, makes the Shakespearean dialogue more difficult to understand. Cast. Welles shot on location in Spain, in winter; his first shot shows Falstaff as a tiny figure in a vast field of snow, his last shows Falstaff's coffin being pushed across snow toward his grave, and in several of John Gielgud's speeches as Henry IV, we can see the frost on his breath. There live not three good men unhanged in England. [66] Specific changes include a scene near the end of the film in which Hal pardons an imprisoned street rabble-rouser just before his expedition to invade France; Welles slightly altered this scene from Henry V, Act 2, Scene 2. "In effect," Anderegg writes, "Welles generates a constant tension between what we see and what we hear, a tension that points to the ambiguous status of language in its relation to action. When I played him before in the theater, he seemed more witty than comical. By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Welles father Richard Head Welles was very much a figure who resembled Falstaff, as Welles biographer Simon Callow described him as a a drunkard, a trickster, a braggart, a womanizer, a gentleman and a charmer and he is rejected by the person he loves the most. Similar to how Prince Hal is forced to get Falstaff out of trouble, Welles was often responsible for watching out for his father. Between noir thrillers like The Stranger and The Lady From Shanghai to subversive documentaries like F for Fake, Welles showed that he wasnt interested in coasting on the success of Citizen Kane for the rest of his career. Welles looks something like a Sherman tank . Beatrice Welles attended and announced that "a major DVD/Blu-ray label is interested in restoring and releasing Chimes at Midnight. "[13] The cast included Welles as Falstaff, Burgess Meredith as Prince Hal, John Emery as Hotspur, Morris Ankrum as Henry IV and Robert Speaight as the Narrator. Just confirm how you got your ticket. That each man hears the other's intended soliloquy adds a dimension to both. After a week of rehearsing, Welles left to secure further funding and Edwards directed the play, working on blocking and lighting. Chimes at Midnight. plus-circle Add Review. Back at the Boar's Head Tavern, Falstaff begins to tell Hal and Poins with increasing exaggeration the story of how the money was stolen from him. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. And watch the use of deep focus when he begins a shot with Hal seated in the background and, as news of his father's death is conveyed, Hal stands and moves forward, finally looming over the camera in foreground. He believed that the core of the story was "the betrayal of friendship. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. https://www.youtube.com/@M. In fact, his 1966 Shakespearean adaptation Chimes of Midnight is a thoughtful, emotional epic that may even rival Citizen Kane as the pinnacle achievement of his career. [50] However, some small scenes were shot during the break. Through Falstaff's eyes we see the reign of King Henry IV and the rise of Henry V.When King Henry IV ascends to the throne, his heir, the Prince of Wales, is befriended by Sir John Falstaff, an old, overweight, fun-loving habitual liar. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Although some B-roll footage of the Alicante departing from port was shot early in the production, no scenes from Treasure Island were ever shot or even scripted. [118] Welles' youngest daughter Beatrice, who resembled her father as a young boy, appears in the film version of Chimes at Midnight.[77]. Chimes at Midnight, directed by Orson Welles, takes Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, along with pieces of Richard II, Henry V, and The Merry Wives of Windsor, and filters them all through the character of. Coming Soon, Regal Come let's to dimmer, come let's. Welles directorial debut was Citizen Kane, a film that many have cited as the greatest of all-time. This was the only significant amount of time that the two spent together and afterwards Lindsay-Hogg only saw Welles sporadically. Before the battle, Henry meets with Worcester and offers to forgive all of Hotspur's men of treason if they surrender immediately. Get info about new releases, sales, and our online publication, Current. [116] In the late 1950s when she was sixteen years old, Welles' eldest daughter Christopher Welles Feder cut off all ties with Welles under pressure from her mother, who disapproved of Welles' influence on her. Certainly, he was attracted to the role from an early age. Starring Orson Welles, Keith Baxter, Jeanne Moreau. The next morning Hal, Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto, and Poins disguise themselves in Gadshill to prepare to rob a group of traveling pilgrims. Falstaff becomes ecstatic and goes directly to the castle, thinking that he will become a great and powerful nobleman under King Henry V. At the coronation, Falstaff cannot contain his excitement and interrupts the entire ceremony, announcing himself to Hal. The cast had their technical rehearsal the night before opening. Janus Films released a restored version of the film on D.C.P. 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