What Ever Happened To Orson Welles? A Journey Through His Life and Legacy

Orson Welles was one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. His films, such as Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons, are considered masterpieces of cinema. But what happened to Welles after his early successes? This article explores Welles's life and career, from his early days as a wunderkind to his later years as a struggling artist. It also examines his legacy and impact on filmmaking.

What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of an Independent Career

by Joseph McBride

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2657 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	372 pages
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Early Life and Career

Orson Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1915. He began his career in the theater, where he quickly gained a reputation for his precocious talent. In 1937, he directed his first film, Citizen Kane. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.

After Citizen Kane, Welles directed a number of other successful films, including The Magnificent Ambersons (1942),Touch of Evil (1958),and The Trial (1962). However, Welles's career was also marked by a number of failures. His film The Lady from Shanghai (1947) was a critical and commercial disaster, and he was fired from a number of other projects.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, Welles struggled to find work as a director. He made a number of films in Europe, but none of them were particularly successful. He also appeared in a number of television and stage productions.

Welles died in 1985 at the age of 70. Despite his troubled career, Welles is considered one of the most important filmmakers of all time. His films are still studied and admired by filmmakers and film scholars today.

Impact on Filmmaking

Orson Welles had a profound impact on filmmaking. His films were groundbreaking in their use of cinematography, editing, and sound. He also pioneered the use of deep focus photography, which allowed him to create a sense of depth and realism in his films.

Welles's films have inspired generations of filmmakers. His work has been imitated and parodied by directors such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino. Welles's legacy is secure as one of the most influential and important filmmakers of all time.

Orson Welles was a brilliant and complex artist. His career was marked by both triumph and failure, but he never lost his passion for filmmaking. His films are still studied and admired today, and his legacy as one of the most important filmmakers of all time is secure.

If you are interested in learning more about Orson Welles, I highly recommend reading his autobiography, This Is Orson Welles. The book is a fascinating and insightful look into the life and mind of a true cinematic genius.

What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of an Independent Career

by Joseph McBride

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2657 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	372 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE