FRANCOIS THOMAS

An in-depth, behind-the-camera survey of the entire career of Orson Welles.An in-depth, behind-the-camera survey of the entire career of the actor, producer, narrator and director Orson Welles (1915-85). Providing a fresh and insightful view of the director and his work, this book examines the entirety of Welles's career, from his theatrical beginnings to his very last years, and offers analyses of all his creative works, including the feature films, short films, unfinished works and his programmes for television. Discussion of each film, including the celebrated Citizen Kane (1941), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) and Touch of Evil (1957-8), is supported by over 400 illustrations of screenplays and scripts, contracts, sketches, storyboards, models, production reports, memos, letters and correspondence uncovered by new research in European and American archives. Welles is one of the legendary film directors whose persona has been created through a myriad of myths and legends. Enfant terrible of American cinema, his groundbreaking entry into Hollywood with Citizen Kane propelled him to fame as a young prodigy and unfailing genius. Many studies to date have focused on this aspect of Welles, highlighting his clashes with film studios to paint a turbulent picture of an artist repressed by his producers. In this book, however, by returning to the original works and analysing the primary sources, the authors strip back the myths and rumours (many of which were created and fanned by Welles himself) to draw a realistic portrait of this most remarkable filmmaker at work. All of his works are discussed, with in depth analysis on key works and projects.