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The Eyes of Orson Welles

  • 2018
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Orson Welles in The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018)
Documentary

Mark Cousins dives deep into the visual world of legendary director and actor Orson Welles to reveal a portrait of the artist as he's never been seen before.Mark Cousins dives deep into the visual world of legendary director and actor Orson Welles to reveal a portrait of the artist as he's never been seen before.Mark Cousins dives deep into the visual world of legendary director and actor Orson Welles to reveal a portrait of the artist as he's never been seen before.

  • Director
    • Mark Cousins
  • Writer
    • Mark Cousins
  • Stars
    • Mark Cousins
    • Orson Welles
    • Jack Klaff
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mark Cousins
    • Writer
      • Mark Cousins
    • Stars
      • Mark Cousins
      • Orson Welles
      • Jack Klaff
    • 28User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos8

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    Top cast4

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    Mark Cousins
    Mark Cousins
    • Self
    • (voice)
    Orson Welles
    Orson Welles
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Jack Klaff
    Jack Klaff
    • Orson Welles
    • (voice)
    Beatrice Welles
    Beatrice Welles
    • Self
    • Director
      • Mark Cousins
    • Writer
      • Mark Cousins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    6.71.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8mineshaft-gap

    Poetic

    I've found this documentary with its slow paced narration and editing quite apaising and somewhat poetic. I really enjoyed it, it's rather unusual in these times of fast cuts and over-feeding of information to adopt this counterpoint. I must confess I can not say I've seen a lot of Orson Welles' movies but after seeing this documentary I definitively plan to watch more of them. I also was impressed by how good he was at drawing, in summary a great all-around artist.
    8Brucey_D

    "....beloved nose putty..."

    Mark Cousins explores the life and works of Orson Welles, through the prism of his artwork.

    This documentary is structured in the form of an open letter to Welles, as if he were still alive; the conversation isn't entirely one-sided, as towards the end of the documentary there are imagined replies from Welles too.

    Burrowing through the remaining archive of Welles' artwork, often in the company of his daughter Beatrice, shows some insights into the workings of the mind of one of the twentieth century's most influential and controversial film-makers. Although nothing can be examined in great detail in the running time (1Hr 40mins as I saw it), his working life, his marriages, and his political activism are touched upon.

    This film is both nicely made and is visually arresting in its own right; the content together with Cousins' quiet intensity makes this a must-see documentary for film enthusiasts. For me it underlined the fact that there are lots of his movies which I have yet to see, and there are aspects of Welles that I knew nothing about.

    Eight out of ten from me; a longer version would probably have been an easy nine.
    7ksf-2

    tries to summarize many of welles' works

    It's listed as a documentary, on the life and works of orson welles, who lived from 1915 to 1985. Writer, director, producer, stage manager, casting director. Mark cousins and welles' daughter beatrice describe various items from the welles collection archive. Drawings, letters, papers. Lots of scenery of new york and chicago. Discussion of themes like beginnings and endings. Some politics. Cousins addresses many statements and questions to orson himself, as if he were in the same room. And sums of welles' work as a series of shapes and lines. Contradictions, as any poet has. There's a very complete page of information at wikipedia dot org as well. It's mostly good. Written, directed, narrated by mark cousins. He has won numerous film fest awards. It's quite interesting. I wish cousins had spent more time with beatrice on camera! She must have had tons of interesting stories about her father's life and work. And i don't remember any discussion of welle's project (uncompleted, during his lifetime) other side of the wind... which was also released in 2018!
    6shakercoola

    A scrapbook overview of a genius

    A British documentary film; This is a compelling analysis of the creative output, sketches and paintings of the American actor, director, writer and producer who is remembered for his innovative work in radio, theatre and film. The film critic Mark Cousins regales us with a colourful and insightful account of his motivations. It is gushing as a tribute, but it is heartfelt. It dovetails image and voiceover very well.
    4ReedBalzac

    Too much narration, not enough Orson Welles

    This documentary had potential, but it was ruined by the dull, never ending narration. Very boring, IMO. What a waste.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      'Orson Welles's daughter, 'Beatrice Welles' acted as a consultant.
    • Goofs
      Cousins says that Joseph McCarthy was elected in 1947. Although his term in the Senate did indeed begin that year, the actual election was in 1946.
    • Quotes

      Orson Welles, Himself: A stick was straining. What happens when it breaks? Absurdity becomes the norm.

    • Connections
      Features Bird of Paradise (1932)
    • Soundtracks
      Adagio per archi e organo in sol minore
      Written by Remo Giazotto (Tomaso Albinoni)

      Performed by Capella Istropolitana

      Conducted by Richard Edinger

      Published by G. Ricordi & Co (London) Ltd on behalf of Casa Ricordi Srl

      Licensed courtesy of Naxos Rights US, Inc.

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Eyes of Orson Welles?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 15, 2019 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Dogwoof Sales (United Kingdom)
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La mirada de Orson Welles
    • Filming locations
      • Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA
    • Production company
      • BofA Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,253
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,372
      • Mar 17, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $68,328
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 55m(115 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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