DT
23Aug11
Better than nothing: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7D1BD6AEE69B8360
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Howard Orr
13Mar12
A ramshackle triumph. It works because it embraces the boozy, whoring, and fundamentally anti-establishment spirit of Shakespeare, emphasises these elements, and makes a film commensurate in style with the playright's genius. And it was Welles's favourite of his own films. As Welles said, Falstaff represents "the old England, dying and betrayed". (I'd add that only one part died, and it was indeed the best part.)
DT
3Jan12
Welles’ sought-after take on the Henriad is uneven, but its best bits really are quite impressive. The cast overall is exceptional but Welles in particular is absolutely towering as the eponymous Jack Falstaff; behind the camera, his presence is felt just as much, with his technical mastery being especially amazing here. But all that said, I do still consider his Othello to be the best adaptation of the Bard he did.
asuraf
21Sep11
Hard to see Welles configuration of Shakespeare's Falstaff character, with the grand fat man making fine use of his terrific voice, and amazing eye for black and white light compositions. This deserves a Criterion restoration.
Howard Orr and 2 others like this
Jaspar Lamar Crabb
13May11
One of the great buried movies. Welles creates serious magic with this one. It's superbly acted and brilliantly directed even with the sound "issues"
Lorenzo D.
27Jan11
Incredible film, the dubbing ruined it but it's a Welle's masterpiece nonetheless.
Robert Regan
23Sep10
A screening scheduled at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York has been "cancelled due to rights problems." Is anyone surprised?
WhatsUpWill
13Sep10
This film in one word: momentum. I echo the criticism of the sound in the film. I have not read Henry IV Part 1 or 2, but soon I will. I can only imagine my appreciation and admiration for this film growing on repeated viewings. What a master with the camera Orson Welles was.
Amlethus
19Jul10
The sound production (what felt like dubbing) really stopped this from being a perfect film (this happened with Welles' Macbeth, though I don't think his version of Macbeth is all that good). Welles is the best Falstaff I've seen (in a non-Opera). A lot of people will say this film is better than they really think it is because Welles' loved it and they don't wish to feel like they've missed something. They didn't.
Umberto L.
21Jun10
Gigantic and baroque like a wellesian film has to be, this picture does not have the perfection of "Citizen Kane" or "Touch of Evil". In the meanwhile, the beauty of several scenes and the fascination of the main character (Falstaff - a loser, this time) are as enjoyable as what I have seen in the foremost Welles' movies.
DT likes this
Josh Jensen
20Sep09
I didnt see Mr. Arkten on here. That maybe my favorite movie of his. Or maybe I think more people should read/watch it.
Eva Blaisdell
16Dec08
This is really cool that you made this movie and Orson Welles visible - a her of the yesterday - I think is not frequently revisitied by younger generations who can learn a lot . Orson can add a lot to the horizons of young people now .
