Review of Chimes at Midnight (1965) by Brian M — 02 Jun 2008

Welles gives one of the most moving performances on celluloid in this breathtaking masterpiece. This is a performance for the ages. An adaptation of a stage production of Welles's Five Kings, itself an adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV parts I & II, Henry V, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Richard II, the story of Falstaff achieves escape velocity from the world of adaptation, launching itself into the space of the breathtakingly original.

Unrestrained in directing and editing the film, Welles proves his talents remained untarnished over two decades after he made "Citizen Kane". Despite some production shortcomings, this is certainly one of the greatest motion pictures ever made.