Orson Welles's "Chimes at Midnight" (1966), finally receiving a 4K restoration in 2024 from Janus Films, is a masterful adaptation of Shakespeare's Falstaff plays, focusing on the complex relationship between the aging knight and Prince Hal. The film portrays Falstaff not just as a comedic figure but also a tragic one, grappling with his own mortality and the prince's inevitable rejection. This restoration, supervised by Orson Welles expert and longtime champion Peter Bogdanovich, represents the fulfillment of Welles’s own wishes for the film's presentation and will allow audiences to experience this often-overlooked masterpiece in its intended form.
Orson Welles's 1965 cinematic masterpiece, Chimes at Midnight, also known as Falstaff, is experiencing a resurgence in 2024 thanks to a meticulously restored 4K edition undertaken by Janus Films. This restoration, based on the original camera negative, aims to revitalize and present the film as close to Welles's original artistic vision as possible. The article elucidates the intricate challenges faced during the restoration process, particularly regarding the varying quality of existing prints and the complexities of matching the original film's unique visual aesthetic. Welles, notoriously meticulous about his work, struggled with securing funding and distribution for Chimes at Midnight, a project he considered his most personal and arguably his finest achievement. The film, a tapestry woven from Shakespearean texts primarily focusing on the Henry IV plays and incorporating elements from Richard II, Henry V, and The Merry Wives of Windsor, centers on the complex and ultimately tragic figure of Sir John Falstaff and his tumultuous relationship with Prince Hal, the future King Henry V. The article underscores the film's thematic exploration of the corrosive effects of power, the bittersweet nature of aging and mortality, and the poignant betrayal that lies at the heart of Falstaff and Hal's friendship. The restoration aims to showcase Welles's innovative cinematic techniques, including his dynamic use of deep focus, chiaroscuro lighting, and his pioneering montage sequences, particularly the renowned Battle of Shrewsbury scene, which stands as a landmark achievement in cinematic battle depiction. The release of the restored Chimes at Midnight provides modern audiences a renewed opportunity to appreciate the artistry and depth of Welles's work and to experience the film as he intended it to be seen, free from the degradation of time and previous imperfect restorations. This revival emphasizes the film's enduring relevance and solidifies its status as a major work in cinematic history, offering a profound meditation on human nature, loyalty, and the fleeting nature of time.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42989609
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