DVD and Blu-ray premiere of Orson Welles’s fascinating television production, with Welles writing, directing and hosting. Part home-movie, part cinematic essay, each episode takes the viewer on a fascinating journey to see the famous people and places in key cities across the continent, the result is a unique and fascinating entry in the career of one of modern cinema’s most revered figures.
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014)
2015 marks the centenary year of the remarkable Orson Welles, and this insightful documentary explores the enigma and polymath that was Welles. Jean-Luc Godard once said of this exceptional actor, writer and director: “All of us will always owe him everything.” Directed by critically acclaimed documentary maker Chuck Workman, Magician is an essential film not just for fans of the great Orson Welles but anyone interested in the magic of cinema.
MichaelB wrote:Around the World with Orson Welles (1959)
DVD and Blu-ray premiere of Orson Welles’s fascinating television production, with Welles writing, directing and hosting. Part home-movie, part cinematic essay, each episode takes the viewer on a fascinating journey to see the famous people and places in key cities across the continent, the result is a unique and fascinating entry in the career of one of modern cinema’s most revered figures.
I sure hope this release includes the "Third Man Returns To Vienna" episode, recently found after being lost for decades and not included on the 2000 Image DVD.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH ORSON WELLES (Limited Edition Numbered Blu-ray)
A film by Orson Welles
Orson Welles, a hugely successful polymath who forges a career in film, radio and theatre, was little known for his TV work. In 1955, Associated-Rediffusion commissioned Welles to make his first television production, inviting him to write, direct and host a mini series.
Despite its grand title, the series was filmed entirely in Europe. Part home-movie, part cinematic essay, each episode takes the viewer on a fascinating journey to see the famous people and places in key cities across the continent. In Paris, we are introduced to famous artists such as jean Cocteau; in Madrid, we attend a bullfight; and in Vienna, in an episode which was long believed lost, we are taken to the locations of The Third Man.
A unique and fascinating entry in the career of one modern cinema's most revered figures, Around the World with Orson Welles finally receives its world premiere Blu-ray release in this strictly limited, numbered edition from the BFI.
Special Features
- All 6 episodes
- Pays Basque l (1955, 26 mins)
- Pays Basque ll (1955, 26 mins)
- The Third Man Returns to Vienna (1955, 26 mins)
- St.-Germain-des-Prés (1955, 26 mins)
- Chelsea Prisoners (1955, 26 mins)
- Madrid Bullfight (1955, 26 mins)
- The Dominici Affair (Christophe Cognet, 2000, 52 mins): documentary about the incomplete Around the World with Orson Welles The Tragedy of Lurs episode
Ps. Just checked my account. This is my first post in more than seven years!