Falstaff: Chimes At Midnight

Produced for the cinema in 1965

Sleeve text

Orson Welles considered this motion picture as one of his finest works.

The film is an amalgam of Henry IV Part I and Henry IV Part II, and also Richard II, Henry V and The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

It is based on Welles's play Five Kings, an adaptation of four Shakespeare plays which he produced in 1939 and again in 1960.

The film's narration, spoken by Ralph Richardson, is taken from the chronicler Raphael Holinshed.

Orson Welles plays Sir John Falstaff alongside an incredible cast: Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, Keith Baxter, John Gielgud, Marina Vlady, and Fernando Rey.

Welles is uncompromising as the tragicomic Shakespearean character and many critics believe this is the greatest screen portrayal of Falstaff.

This lost masterpiece has never before been realeased on DVD and contributes much to the appreciation of the great screen legend that is Orson Welles.

Cast and crew

Directed by Orson Welles
Sir John Falstaff - Orson Welles
Doll Tearsheet - Jeanne Moreau
Mistress Quickly - Margaret Rutherford
King Henry IV - John Gielgud

Languages

English

Subtitles

None

Extras

• Scene selection

Technical stuff

Aspect ratio 16:9
Black and white
Mono sound
Running time 115 minutes
Region 0

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