The Cinema Of Orson Welles

by Peter Cowie

This generously illustrated and documented study of Orson Welles's film creations and acting accomplishments includes discussions of Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, Macbeth, Othello, and many others

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Peter Cowie is a film historian and author of more than thirty books on film. In 1963 he was the founder/publisher and general editor of the annual International Film Guide, a survey of worldwide film production.

Reviews

[Joshua Winchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb and masterful analysis of Orson Welles films (up to the early 70s, as the book was written when Orson was still alive and active making films). The book treats Wellesians and cinema fans to detailed breakdowns of his movies, the longest being a in depth look at his first and greatest project Citizen Kane. Chock full of photographs to accompany each chapter, the book also contains many quotes from Orson conducted by the author in the mid 60s, and a reprinting of a speech he gave on acting and cinema at the 1953 Edinburgh Film Festival, AND detailed listings of all movies he directed, acted in (including the works of others), as well as his stage and radio appearances.

A must read for all movie lovers, Orson Welles fans and fans of the 20th century movie industry!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published while Welles was still alive, this overview is still valuable and insightful, but could benefit from an update. Cowie does a fine job of exploring themes and similarities that occur in Welles's films, but perhaps the most compelling section is a reprint (in an appendix) from a 1954 Sight and Sound article by Welles called "The Third Audience."

[Mike Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and richly detailed.