Despite the System: Orson Welles Versus the Hollywood Studios

by Clinton Heylin

Revealing the facts rather than the myths behind Orson Welles' Hollywood career, this groundbreaking history analyzes the career of one of the most well-known American filmmakers. Exploring why Welles' films never matched his youthful masterpiece Citizen Kane , this investigation delves into the enemies that hounded him, his unwaning faith in his audience, and the brilliance of his films—before they were butchered by the studios. Based on shooting scripts, schedules, internal memos, interviews, articles, lectures, and personal correspondence, this work creates a concrete picture of his professional and artistic struggles and successes. This heartbreaking tale brings to life the intelligent, perceptive, and passionate man who, for all his failings as a person, was utterly uncompromising in his art.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Biography

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed corrective to most of the nonsense written about Welles.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heylin presents Welles as an iconoclast and outcast, constantly battling the Hollywood establishment in order to remain true to his artistic vision. That has the potential to be a great story, and I was really looking forward to it, because "Citizen Kane" happens to be my favorite movie. Sadly, beyond hinting at the treasure we lost to censorship, this book had no emotional hooks. It's a vague and fumbling story, too little aware of the Welles' innate talent to show what a tragedy his suppression was. Beyond presenting a more balanced narrative than the usual "destroyed by his own demons" tale usually told of Welles, I didn't find this to be all that useful.

[Claire]

An interesting and very knowledgable overview of Welles's film-making career, which details his frustrating battles with the Hollywood studios and their attempts to destroy his artistic vision. Heylin clearly knows his stuff and writes with verve, although I could have done without some of his irritating stylistic tics which make some of the book seem a little unprofessionally written. That aside, this is an excellent volume for anyone interested in Welles, his films, and the inner workings of the Hollywood system.

[Ryś · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duży plus za obalanie mitów o Orsonie.

[Glen Peterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently there has been a group of I'll informed critics out there taking shots at Welles for awhile, although I personally was never aware of them. This book was written in direct response to those critics, if I had been aware I probably would have enjoyed it more. Outside of the authors direct rebuttals the book has a lot of very interesting stories and history of Mr. Welles and his tragic Hollywood story. I had always known about the destruction of Ambersons but really hadn't heard about his other movies. Very illuminating in parts, and worth a read for even the most cursory of fans.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a big Orson Welles fan so I was non-to-thrilled that this book was on my reading list. Mr. Welles story is fasinating but the author is way toooo much in love with Mr. Welles. It's good that the author is interested but it was hard to take anything he wrote seriously because of his feelings. I get the impression that Clinton Heylin believes that Orson Welles could walk on water. Wow, that's a bit harsh, but it is what it is.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that was badly needed. Too many people still believe the mud-slinging of Kaels and Callows.