Film Forum

(1942, Orson Welles) Turn-of-the-20^th-century Mid-America: Joseph Cotten pursues lost love Dolores Costello, despite her imperious son Tim Holt – himself smitten with Cotten’s daughter Anne Baxter – and lovelorn spinster aunt Agnes Moorehead (Best Actress, NY Film Critics). Welles’ low-key, reflective follow-up to Kane, adapted from Booth Tarkington’s Pulitzer-winning novel, chronicles the decline of a family and the end of an era. Re-edited in Welles’ absence, its ending re-written and re-shot by others. But “even in this truncated form it’s amazing and memorable” (Pauline Kael). Approx. 88 min. 35mm.

Friday’s 7:50 show will be introduced by director William Friedkin. Mr. Friedkin will sign copies of his book The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir following the screening (limited copies of his book will be available at our concession beginning Friday evening)

Reviews

"UNFOLDS LIKE A GRAVE, HEARTRENDINGLY LUMINOUS DREAM… Though The Magnificent Ambersons was re-edited and given a less grim ending while Welles was out of the country working on another project, what remains is still haunting in its rapt beauty.” 
– Kristen M. Jones, Wall Street Journal

“It was a much better picture than Kane—if they'd just left it as it was” 
– Orson Welles

“With only two pictures to his credit, Orson Welles has demonstrated beyond doubt that the screen is his medium. He has an eloquent, if at times grandiose, flair for the dramatic, which only the camera can fully capture."
– Thomas M. Pryor, The New York Times

“A PRETTY SENSATIONAL MOVIE!” 
– J. Hoberman, Village Voice

“A masterpiece in every way (but ignore the awkward ending the studio tacked on without Welles's approval).” 
– Don Druker, Chicago Reader