Review of Chimes at Midnight (1965) by Darryl J — 20 Jan 2009

Like anyone who has seen this film, it's immediately apparent that Orson Welles was the perfect man to handle the role of Falstaff. It's not just his tremendous size but his overall nature. Falstaff mirrors Welles' struggles in his personal and professional life. They both used to be great men that were reduced to doing things that were below them. For a man that created the "greatest film ever made", it's pretty shocking to see how largely ignored and mistreated his other films are. The Magnificent Ambersons,The Trial,Touch of Evil,etc. Chimes of Midnight is another one to add to the list. There is a moment in the film at the end when Welles,rejected by his old friend Hal, displays the most heart-wrenching expression of sadness. It's a moment you won't soon forget. I must regress and continue on my spiel of Falstaff and Welles being so similar. That moment,at least for me,is like the epitome of Welles and his life. There is such sadness in that moment that it's almost overwhelming.

It's obvious if you've seen any of Orson's other film but the technicality of the film is perfection. The famous ten minute battle scene is extraordinary and quite impressive considering he only had about a hundred extras. I also like that he films a lot in buildings with extremely high ceilings. It gives the film the authenticity that most medieval films strive to have. It still saddens me that this film has not been seen by many considering it's one of his true masterpieces.