Film Forum

(1948, Orson Welles) In the gloomy, claustrophobic atmosphere of a studio-shot primitive world, a feudal lord (Welles in the title role) decides to go for the kingship, with horrifically fated results. Re-edited by its studio – with the original Scottish brogues redubbed into American accents – this is Welles’ original 108-minute cut, as restored by UCLA Film Archive. (See original release “American” version on January 25.)  Approx. 108 min. 35mm.

Reviews

“All atmosphere and movement, filmed on forthrightly stagy sets with a restlessly tracking camera… There is force in this rough, hasty rendering; the sheer speed of the pacing gives it a quality of crushing delirium.” 
—Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

“One of the director's most personal creations, it's a courageous experiment with a craggy barbaric splendor all its own.” 
– Elliott Stein, Village Voice

“PURE CINEMA!”
– Geoff Andrew, Time Out (London)

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