Customer Reviews

Orson Welles at Work

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I saw this book and couldn't find out anything about it. I searched, but found no reviews anywhere. But, being a Welles fan (and in the midst of a renewed love affair with Welles' work, due in part to reading some new Welles material), I took a chance, even though it was an expensive book. I knew the quality of Phaiden, though.

I was glad I took a chance. This book is fantastic! Lots of photos, many never seen before, and intelligent commentary, this is a great book on the work of Orson Welles. The design and quality was everything I expected from the publisher and the content was wonderful, with a lot of new information, especially about Welles' ideas when he got to Hollywood. The Heart of Darkness chapter alone is worth the money. And for those of you who lost track of Welles' career late in his life, this will show that he was productive right up to the end.

I'd love to see The Other Side of the Wind, The Immortal Story (trying to find a copy), better footage of Don Quixote, Fountain of Youth (trying to find a copy), and The Deep.

I'd love to read a review of this book by Jonathan Rosenbaum.

An amazing overview of Welles' work. It's well-organized (breaking his career down into phases) and nicely researched (with plenty of material on often overlooked masterpieces like The Trial and Chimes at Midnight). Packed full of gorgeous photos, stills, and sketches. This is a huge, brilliant book. The price tag is hefty, but for Wellesians it will be worth every penny. Goes on the shelf alongside This is Orson Welles by Welles and Bogdanovich, and Discovering Orson Welles by Rosenbaum.

Meticulously researched, wonderfully illustrated investigation of Welles' working methods -- dispels many myths but reaffirms the greatness of Welles' achievements.