The Best Orson Welles Movies
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- Charlton Heston, Orson Welles, Janet LeighWhen a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie (Janet Leigh), in jeopardy.More Touch of Evil
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- Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Ruth WarrickCitizen Kane is a riveting drama, directed by Orson Welles. The film delves into the life of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), a wealthy newspaper magnate. Told through the memories of those who knew him, the narrative unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle. It's a tale of ambition, power, and the quest for love. Kane's life is revealed in fragments from his humble beginnings to his opulent adulthood. The film, notable for its innovative techniques and narrative structure, won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Its distinctive storytelling style keeps audiences engrossed till the end.More Citizen Kane
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- Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Trevor HowardIn the aftermath of World War II, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), an American writer, navigates the shadowy underbelly of ruined Vienna in search of his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). A British officer tells him that Harry is dead, but inconsistencies arise. As a web of deception unravels, Martins discovers a chilling secret about Lime. This noir classic The Third Man is directed by Carol Reed and won an Oscar for Best Cinematography. Its haunting zither score and atmospheric cinematography remain iconic in cinema history.More The Third Man
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- Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett SloaneA seaman becomes involved in a complex murder plot when he is hired to work on a yacht. He soon finds himself implicated in the murder, despite his innocence. The film is best remembered for it's climax "hall of mirrors" scene with a shoot out amidst shards of shattering glass.
- Anthony Perkins, Jeanne Moreau, Romy SchneiderWhen police officers arrive at his home to tell him that he's under "open arrest," unassuming bureaucrat Josef K. (Anthony Perkins) can't imagine what kind of crime he might have committed. He consults first his neighbor (Jeanne Moreau) about the incident, then the courts, then a pompous law advocate (Orson Welles), all to no avail. Ironically, Joseph is able to learn of his sentence -- he is to be put to death -- but the nature of the charge against him remains elusive.
- Orson Welles, Micheál MacLiammóir, Suzanne CloutierWhen a secret marriage is planned between Othello (Orson Welles), a Moorish general, and Desdemona (Suzanne Cloutier), the daughter of Senator Brabantio (Hilton Edwards), her old suitor Roderigo (Robert Coote) takes it hard. He allies himself with Iago (Micheál MacLiammóir), who has his own grudge against Othello, and the two conspire to bring Othello down. When their first plan, to have him accused of witchcraft, fails, they plant evidence intended to make him believe Desdemona is unfaithful.
- Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, John GielgudHenry IV (John Gielgud) usurps the English throne, sets in motion the factious War of the Roses and now faces a rebellion led by Northumberland scion Hotspur (Norman Rodway). Henry's heir, Prince Hal (Keith Baxter), is a ne'er-do-well carouser who drinks and causes mischief with his low-class friends, especially his rotund father figure, John Falstaff (Orson Welles). To redeem his title, Hal may have to choose between allegiance to his real father and loyalty to his friend.
- Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, Loretta YoungImmediately following World War II, ex-Nazi Franz Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under a false identity as a teacher in a small Connecticut town, and has even married the headmaster's daughter (Loretta Young) as part of his cover. But when one of Kindler's old German associates (Konstantin Shayne) arrives unexpectedly in town, bringing in his wake a sly federal investigator (Edward G. Robinson), Kindler resorts to desperate measures to preserve his secret.
- Joseph Cotten, Tim Holt, Dolores CostelloOrson Welles' acclaimed drama follows two generations in a well-to-do Indianapolis family. Isabel Amberson receives a proposal from dashing Eugene (Joseph Cotten), but opts instead to marry boring Wilbur. Time passes, and Wilbur and Isabel's only son, George (Tim Holt), is loathed as a controlling figure in the town. When Wilbur dies, Eugene again proposes to Isabel, but George threatens the union. As George in turn courts the woman he wants to marry, a string of tragedies befalls the family.
- Orson Welles, Michael Redgrave, Robert ArdenClaiming that he doesn't know his own past, a rich man enlists an ex-con with an odd bit of detective work. Gregory Arkadin (Orson Welles) says he can't remember anything before the late 1920s, and convict Guy Van Stratten (Robert Arden) is happy to take the job of exploring his new acquaintance's life story. Guy's research turns up stunning details about his employer's past, and as his work seems linked to untimely deaths, the mystery surrounding Mr. Arkadin deepens.
- 11Orson Welles, Jeanette Nolan, Dan O'HerlihyIn director Welles' retelling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Macbeth (Orson Welles), a medieval Scottish general, is told by three witches he will rise to be king. After learning the prophecy, he's pressured by his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth (Jeanette Nolan), to murder King Duncan (Erskine Sanford) and seize the throne. Macbeth succeeds, but with his new power he becomes increasingly paranoid and bloodthirsty, which ultimately leads to his tragic demise.
- 12Joan Fontaine, Orson Welles, Margaret O'BrienBased on the renowned Charlotte Brontë novel, this drama depicts the trials and tribulations of young English woman Jane Eyre (Joan Fontaine). Orphaned and raised in an abusive home, Jane eventually becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls for its older aristocrat owner, Edward Rochester (Orson Welles). However, numerous obstacles stand in the way of Jane and Edward's romance, and their love may not survive a series of dramatic and unfortunate events.More Jane Eyre
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- 13Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Fernando ReyThe Immortal Story is a 1968 French film directed by Orson Welles and starring Jeanne Moreau. The film was originally broadcast on French television and was later released in theaters. It was based on a short story by the Danish writer Karen Blixen. With a running time of 60 minutes, it is the shortest feature film directed by Welles.
- 14Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson WellesWhen the highly respected British statesman Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) refuses to pressure the Pope into annulling the marriage of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and his Spanish-born wife, More's clashes with the monarch increase in intensity. A devout Catholic, More stands by his religious principles and moves to leave the royal court. Unfortunately, the King and his loyalists aren't appeased by this, and press forward with grave charges of treason, further testing More's resolve.
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- 15Orson Welles, Honor Blackman, Laurence HarveyKampf um Rom is a West German-Italian historical drama film starring Laurence Harvey, Orson Welles, Sylva Koscina and Honor Blackman. It was produced by Artur Brauner and was the last film to be directed by Robert Siodmak. It was originally released in two parts in 1968 and 1969 as a late installment of the sword-and-sandal genre. Kampf um Rom shows the 6th century power struggle between Byzantine emperor Justinian, the descendants of the Western Roman Empire and the Ostrogoths. The film is based on a novel by Felix Dahn.
- 16Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Wanda HendrixAndrea Orsini (Tyrone Power) is a dutiful employee of the powerful Italian nobleman Cesare Borgia (Orson Welles). When Orsini is sent to case a region Borgia intends to seize, overseen by the upstanding Count Verano (Felix Aylmer), Orsini begins to doubt his work and question Borgia's scheming ways. Once Orsini falls for Verano's pretty wife (Wanda Hendrix), whom Borgia also has his sights on, Orsini realizes he must finally stand up to his boss, no matter the cost.
- 17Orson Welles, Nancy Guild, Akim TamiroffJoseph Balsamo (Orson Welles), a poor French gypsy with a tragic past, is taken under the wing of Dr. Mesmer (Charles Goldner), who teaches him the secrets of hypnosis. While Balsamo promises the doctor that he will use the power only to help others, he instead abuses his gift in order to steal money and forge himself a powerful reputation. Using his newfound wealth and power, he hatches a devious plan to replace French queen Marie Antoinette (Nancy Guild) with a young woman, Lorenza.
- 18Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, Dolores del RíoAn American engineer in Istanbul, Howard Graham (Joseph Cotten), becomes the target of a Nazi assassination due to his involvement in improving the Turkish navy. With the help of police Colonel Haki (Orson Welles), Graham escapes from his hotel to board a ship to safety, leaving behind his wife (Ruth Warrick). On board, he encounters a number of passengers, including the dancer Josette Martel (Dolores del Río). However, the passenger Peter Banat (Jack Moss) is not who he appears to be.
- 19John Huston, Susan Strasberg, Lilli PalmerAfter years of exile in Europe, a maverick director returns to Hollywood to finish his comeback movie, "The Other Side of the Wind."
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- 20Orson Welles, Fernando Rey, Akim TamiroffDon Quixote or Don Quixote de Orson Welles is an unfinished film project produced, written and directed by Orson Welles. Principal photography was between 1957 and 1969; while test footage was filmed as early as 1955, second-unit photography was done as late as 1972, and Welles was working on the film on and off until his death in 1985.
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Ten Days' Wonder
Orson Welles, Anthony Perkins, Michel PiccoliTen Days' Wonder is a French murder-mystery film directed by Claude Chabrol and based on the novel Ten Days' Wonder by Ellery Queen. It follows the same story of the novel with the exception of detective Ellery Queen being changed to Paul Regis. It was the fourth film that Orson Welles and Anthony Perkins appeared in together since The Trial in 1962. - 22Claudette Colbert, Orson Welles, George BrentIn 1918, Elizabeth MacDonald (Claudette Colbert) learns with shock that her husband, John Andrew (Orson Welles), has been killed in the war. Elizabeth bears John's son and eventually marries her kindly boss. Unknown to her, John has survived but is horribly disfigured and remains in Europe. Years later, on the eve of World War II, Elizabeth refuses to agree to her son's request to enlist and is stunned when an eerily familiar stranger named Kessler arrives from abroad and becomes involved.
- 23Orson Welles, Juliette Gréco, Bradford DillmanThis unconventional drama presents two related stories with the three key actors portraying different roles in each tale. Tired of her coarse husband, Hagolin (Orson Welles), restless housewife Eponine (Juliette Gréco) begins to fall for another man, the charismatic Larnier (Bradford Dillman). Before long, the intensity of their affair leads to murder. The second part of the film involves characters dealing with the actions of those from the earlier scenario.
- 24Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Cecile AubryFollowing the 13th-century death of his nobleman father, Walter of Gurnie (Tyrone Power) and his confidant, Tristram (Jack Hawkins), join a caravan led by the North African Bayan (Orson Welles) en route to China. Along the way, the beautiful Maryam (Cecile Aubry), known as the Black Rose, begs Walter to take her to England with him. When the warlord Bayan reveals his intention to invade and subjugate China's advanced society, the trio attempt their escape back to England.
- 25Elizabeth Taylor, Maggie Smith, Orson WellesThe V.I.P.s, also known as Hotel International, is a 1963 British drama film in Metrocolor and Panavision. It was directed by Anthony Asquith, produced by Anatole de Grunwald and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film was written by Terence Rattigan, with a music score by Miklós Rózsa. It has an all-star cast including Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Louis Jourdan, Elsa Martinelli, Maggie Smith, Rod Taylor, Orson Welles and Margaret Rutherford, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.
- 26Orson Welles, Gregory Peck, John HustonMoby Dick is a 1956 film adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick. It was directed by John Huston with a screenplay by Huston and Ray Bradbury. The film starred Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, and Leo Genn. The music score was written by Philip Sainton.More Moby Dick
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- 27Orson Welles, Christopher Plummer, Rod SteigerWaterloo is a 1970 Soviet-Italian film directed by Sergei Bondarchuk and produced by Dino De Laurentiis. It depicts the story of the preliminary events and the Battle of Waterloo, and is famous for its lavish battle scenes. It stars Rod Steiger as Napoleon Bonaparte and Christopher Plummer as the Duke of Wellington with a cameo by Orson Welles as Louis XVIII of France. Other stars include Jack Hawkins as General Thomas Picton, Virginia McKenna as the Duchess of Richmond and Dan O'Herlihy as Marshal Ney. The film includes some 15,000 Soviet foot soldiers and 2,000 cavalrymen as extras—it was said that, during its making, director Sergei Bondarchuk was in command of the seventh largest army in the world. Fifty circus stunt riders were used to perform the dangerous horse falls. These numbers brought an epic quality to the battle scenes.
- 28Orson Welles, Susan Hampshire, Jean-Pierre CasselMalpertuis — released in the US as The Legend of Doom House — is a 1971 Belgian fantasy-horror directed by Harry Kümel, based on the 1943 novel of the same name. It was entered into the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.
- 29Faye Dunaway, Max von Sydow, Oskar WernerBased on the true story of a ship carrying German-Jewish refugees which was sent to Havana in 1939 by the Nazis but was denied permission to land anywhere. The ship was eventually obliged to return to Germany, where certain death awaited its passengers. This terrible outcome had been cynically anticipated by the Nazis when granting permission for the voyage in the first place.
- 30Orson Welles, Sylvia Syms, Curd JürgensFerry to Hong Kong is a 1959 British melodrama/adventure film directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Curd Jürgens, Sylvia Syms, Orson Welles and Jeremy Spenser.
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King Lear
Orson Welles, Beatrice Straight, Alan BadelKing Lear is a 1953 live television adaptation of the Shakespeare play staged by Peter Brook and starring Orson Welles. Preserved on kinescope, it aired October 18, 1953, as part of the CBS television series Omnibus, hosted by Alistair Cooke. The cast includes Micheál Mac Liammóir and Alan Badel. - 32Bibi Andersson, Richard Boone, Nigel GreenWhen an unauthorized letter is sent to Moscow alleging the U.S. government's willingness to help Russia attack China, former naval officer Charles Rone (Patrick O'Neal) and his team are sent to retrieve it. They go undercover, successfully reaching out to Erika Kosnov (Bibi Andersson), the wife of a former agent, now married to the head of Russia's secret police (Max von Sydow). Their plans are interrupted, however, when their Moscow hideout is raided by a cunning politician (Orson Welles).
- 33Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert RyanIn this reenactment of the life of Jesus Christ, when word spreads throughout Judea that the son of God is to be born in Bethlehem, King Herod demands that all infants be killed. Mary (Siobhan McKenna) steals away with her young son, Jesus, who grows up preaching, performing miracles and acquiring devotees. One of Jesus' (Jeffrey Hunter) followers, Judas (Rip Torn), betrays him, and he is sentenced to crucifixion. But Jesus has always known of his fate and has prepared himself for death.More King of Kings
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- 34Orson Welles, Maria Rohm, Lionel StanderTreasure Island is a 1972 adventure film, based on the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. The film stars Orson Welles as Long John Silver, Walter Slezak as Squire Trelawney, Rik Battaglia as Captain Smollett, and Ángel del Pozo as Doctor Livesey. This adaptation of Treasure Island was released in several different language versions, each with a different director.
- 35Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Bradford DillmanSociopathic students Artie Straus (Bradford Dillman) and Judd Steiner (Dean Stockwell) murder a boy in a philosophical exercise to commit the flawless crime. Despite their precautions, one of them inadvertently left a key piece of evidence at the crime scene, and they have been arrested and put on trial. It's up to their nationally famous attorney (Orson Welles) to save these misguided souls from execution. The film is based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb case of 1924.
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In the Land of Don Quixote
Orson Welles, Arnoldo Foà, Paola MoriNella terra di Don Chisciotte is an Italian-language documentary travelogue series about Spain, made by Orson Welles. It began filming in 1961, but did not air until 1964. The series follows Welles' travels around Spain, and was narrated by Arnoldo Foà. The series was made for Radiotelevisione Italiana. Co-starring with Welles were his Italian wife Paola Mori, and their young daughter Beatrice Welles. - 37
Mr. Arkadin: The Comprehensive Version
Orson Welles, Michael Redgrave, Akim Tamiroff - 38Orson Welles, Michael Wilding, Margaret LockwoodTrent's Last Case is a British detective film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Michael Wilding, Margaret Lockwood, Orson Welles and John McCallum. It was based on the novel Trent's Last Case by E. C. Bentley, and had been filmed previously in the UK with Clive Brook in 1920, and in a 1929 US version.
- 39Jack Nicholson, Orson Welles, Tuesday WeldA Safe Place is a 1971 film written and directed by Henry Jaglom and starring Jack Nicholson, Tuesday Weld, Orson Welles and Phil Proctor.
- 40Orson Welles, Ivica Pajer, Edward HiltonSamuel (Edward Hilton) prophesies the end of the reign of the ruthless and power-hungry King Saul of Israel (Orson Welles) and anoints shepherd's son David (Ivo Payer) the chosen successor. Wishing to destroy the kindhearted and wise young man, malevolent Abner (Massimo Serato) sends David to make peace with Israel's enemy, the Philistines. Philistine leader King Asrod (Furio Meniconi) says his people will lay down their arms if David can slay the powerful fighter Goliath (Kronos).
- 41Alan Badel, Orson Welles, Emrys JonesThe first in this triptych of strange tales centers on a museum worker (Hugh Pryse), who discovers he can wander into the paintings he guards. Next, George (Emrys Jones) becomes rivals with a friend when they fall for the same girl (Elizabeth Sellars), but things turn dark when she turns up dead. Finally, after the powerful Lord Mountdrago (Orson Welles) ruins a politician's career during a heated debate, the ruined man (Alan Badel) seeks revenge by attacking Mountdrago in his dreams.
- 42Orson Welles, Hilton Edwards, Robert CooteFilming Othello is a 1978 documentary film directed by and starring Orson Welles about the making of his award-winning 1952 production Othello. The film, which was produced for West German television, was the last completed feature film directed by Welles.
- 43Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony FranciosaHandsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).More The Long, Hot Summer
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- 44Brigitte Bardot, Orson Welles, Claudette ColbertRoyal Affairs in Versailles is a 1954 French historical drama directed by Sacha Guitry, which tells some episodes through portrayal of the personalities who lived in Versailles' castle. Its sister films are Napoléon and If Paris Were Told to Us. The film is notable for the presence of a great number of well-known French actors, often appearing in short parts. One unknown actor playing a major character is Gilbert Bokanowski portraying Louis XVI. Bokanowski was actually the film's production manager and was cast because of his strong resemblance to the monarch. Its English translation title is If Versailles Were Told to Me. Despite French production, the film is best known by its English title Royal Affairs in Versailles.
- 45Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, Joseph CottenTragedy seems to follow Pearl Chavez (Jennifer Jones) everywhere she goes. After a domestic dispute results in the death of both of her parents, Pearl moves in with her aunt, Laura Belle (Lillian Gish), on an expansive farm. When Pearl notices Laura Belle's son, the fiery Lewt, life on the ranch erupts into chaos. The two have a brief courtship, but Lewt abruptly ends the relationship. When Pearl tries to move on, Lewt's jealousy leads to a climactic gun battle between the former lovers.More Duel in the Sun
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- 46Orson Welles, Pamela Franklin, Lee PurcellNecromancy is a 1972 horror film directed by Bert I. Gordon and starring Orson Welles and Pamela Franklin.
- 47Orson Welles, Cloris Leachman, Christopher GuestIt Happened One Christmas is a 1977 made-for-television film starring Marlo Thomas and Wayne Rogers.
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- 48Kirk Douglas, Orson Welles, Anthony PerkinsIs Paris Burning? is a 1966 film directed by René Clément, starring an ensemble cast, about the liberation of Paris in August 1944 by the French Resistance and the Free French Forces during WWII. The script was based on the book of the same title by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
- 49Joseph Cotten, Mary Wickes, Arlene FrancisToo Much Johnson is a 1938 American silent comedy film written and directed by Orson Welles. The film was made three years before Welles directed Citizen Kane, but it was never publicly screened. The film was shot to be integrated into Welles's Mercury Theatre stage presentation of William Gillette's 1894 comedy, but the motion picture sequences could not be shown due to the absence of projection facilities at the venue, the Stony Creek Theatre in Connecticut. The resulting plot confusion contributed to the stage production's failure. The film was believed to be lost, but in 2008 a print was discovered in a warehouse in Pordenone, Italy. The film premiered Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. In 2014 the film was made available online by the National Film Preservation Foundation. Two previous films had been made of this play, a short film in 1900 and a feature length Paramount film in 1919 starring Lois Wilson and Bryant Washburn. Both of these films are now lost. This was the second film to be directed by Welles, but his first as a professional.
- 50Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Steve MartinIn the heartwarming and whimsical film The Muppet Movie, Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) embarks on an epic road trip across America. His goal? To pursue his dream of stardom in Hollywood. Along his journey, he encounters a quirky cast of characters including Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), Fozzie Bear (Frank Oz), and Gonzo (Dave Goelz). The movie is a charming blend of comedy and adventure, interspersed with memorable musical numbers. This delightful puppetry spectacle garnered two Oscar nominations for its original score and song. A timeless classic, 'The Muppet Movie' is a testament to friendship, dreams, and the magic of believing.More The Muppet Movie
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- 51Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline KahnA comedic romp through time, History of the World, Part I is a satirical film directed by Mel Brooks. This farcical cavalcade presents an irreverent look at human history from the Stone Age to the French Revolution. The narrative unfolds in episodic bursts, guided by the wry narration of Brooks himself. Notable performances include Madeline Kahn as Empress Nympho and Gregory Hines in his film debut as Josephus, a Roman slave. Clever, outrageous, and unabashedly silly, this movie offers a humorously skewed perspective on significant historical events and figures. Despite its title, there was never a Part II.
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- 52Orson Welles, Yul Brynner, Franco NeroBattle of Neretva is a 1969 Yugoslavian partisan film. The film was written by Stevan Bulajić and Veljko Bulajić, and directed by Veljko Bulajić. It is based on the true events of World War II. The Battle of the Neretva was due to a strategic plan for a combined Axis powers attack in 1943 against the Yugoslav Partisans. The plan was also known as the Fourth Enemy Offensive and occurred in the area of the Neretva river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Battle of Neretva is the most expensive motion picture made in the SFR Yugoslavia. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the year after Sergei Bondarchuk won the honour for War and Peace. The score for the English-speaking versions was composed by Bernard Herrmann. An original soundtrack recording was released by Entr'acte Recording Society in 1974. It was re-released on Southern Cross Records on CD. One of the original posters for the English version of the movie was made by Pablo Picasso, which, according to Bulajić, the famous painter agreed to do without payment, only requesting a case of the best Yugoslav wines.
- 53Orson Welles, Oliver Reed, Marianne FaithfullI'll Never Forget What's'isname is a 1967 British film directed and produced by Michael Winner. It stars Oliver Reed as disillusioned London advertising executive Andrew Quint, who revolts against his boss, Jonathan Lute, and escapes into Swinging London.
- 54Thomas Mitchell, Edna Best, Freddie BartholomewWorried about the social and political climate of their adopted home of London in the 1810s, Swiss-born watchmaker William Robinson (Thomas Mitchell) sets sail with his wife, Elizabeth (Edna Best), and three sons on a ship bound for Australia. When a violent storm washes the ship's crew overboard, the family becomes shipwrecked on a remote island. Using provisions and livestock rescued from their vessel, the Robinsons begin to build a new, self-sufficient life for themselves.
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Orson Welles' Magic Show
Orson Welles, Angie Dickinson, Gary GraverOrson Welles' Magic Show is an unfinished television special by Orson Welles, filmed between 1976 and 1985. In it, Welles performs various magic tricks for the camera, promising that no trick photography is used. Welles had a lifelong interest in magic, having been taught his first magic tricks by Harry Houdini in the 1920s, when Welles was still a boy. He had already demonstrated his magic tricks in numerous films and television programmes including Follow the Boys, Magic Trick, Casino Royale, and on his own unsuccessful 1979 pilot for The Orson Welles Show. After Orson Welles' death in 1985, all of his unfinished films were bequeathed to his long-term companion and mistress Oja Kodar, and she in turn donated many of them to the Munich Film Museum for preservation and restoration. In 2000 the Munich Film Museum then edited together the complete footage into a 27-minute cut, which has subsequently been screened at numerous film festivals. The restored footage has never been released on video or DVD. - 56Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard BenjaminThis scathing war satire follows Capt. John Yossarian (Alan Arkin), a pilot stationed in the Mediterranean who flies bombing missions during World War II. Attempting to cope with the madness of armed conflict, Yossarian struggles to find a way out of his wartime reality. Surrounded by eccentric military officers, such as the opportunistic 1st Lt. Milo Minderbinder (Jon Voight), Yossarian must resort to extreme measures to escape his dire and increasingly absurd situation.More Catch-22
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- 57Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, David NivenThis wacky send-up of James Bond films stars David Niven as the iconic debonair spy, now retired and living a peaceful existence. Bond is called back into duty when the mysterious organization SMERSH begins assassinating British secret agents. Ridiculous circumstances lead to the involvement of a colorful cast of characters, including the villainous Le Chiffre (Orson Welles), seasoned gambler Evelyn Tremble (Peter Sellers) and Bond's bumbling nephew, Jimmy Bond (Woody Allen).
- 58Orson Welles, Stacy Keach, Ed McMahonButterfly is a 1982 film directed by Matt Cimber, based on the 1947 novel The Butterfly by James M. Cain. The starring cast includes Stacy Keach, Pia Zadora, Ed McMahon, and Orson Welles. The original music score was composed by Ennio Morricone. The film was financed by Pia Zadora's husband, Israeli multimillionaire Meshulam Riklis, at an estimated cost of US$2,000,000. It received 10 nominations for the 1982 Golden Raspberry Awards including "Worst Picture", with Pia Zadora winning "Worst Actress" and "Worst New Star", and Ed McMahon winning "Worst Supporting Actor". Nevertheless, Zadora won "Best Female Newcomer" at the Golden Globes for her role, over Elizabeth McGovern and Kathleen Turner. This occurred after her husband flew members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to Las Vegas to watch Pia sing, producing accusations that the award had been "bought". This English language movie was filmed in color and ran for 108 minutes. It received a MPAA rating of R.
- 59Orson Welles, Cicely Tyson, Will GeerA Woman Called Moses is a television miniseries based on the life of Harriet Tubman, the escaped African American slave who helped to organize the Underground Railroad, and who led dozens of African Americans from enslavement in the Southern United States to freedom in the Northern states and Canada. Narrated by Orson Welles, the production was broadcast on the NBC television network on December 11 and 12 1978. Tubman was portrayed by Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Cicely Tyson.
- 60Orson Welles, Jeff Chandler, James GleasonMan in the Shadow is a CinemaScope crime film starring Jeff Chandler, Orson Welles, Colleen Miller, Ben Alexander, and John Larch.