Falstaff - Chimes At Midnight (1965)

King Henry IV (John Gielgud) is deeply concerned with his son's (Keith Baxter) lack of interest in his Princely duties. The young Prince seems content to carouse and drink at taverns and brothels with the debauched and lazy knight Falstaff (Orson Welles, who also directed). But the time is coming when young Hal must choose between duty and a life of indulgence. Reputedly Welles' favorite among his own films, this audacious adaptation of segments from four of Shakespeare's plays (MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, RICHARD II, HENRY IV and HENRY V) easily ranks with Welles' best work. Its flaws are technical rather than artistic. The multi international cast required dubbing, mostly with minor characters and the dubbing is obvious. In fact, one can clearly recognize Welles' own voice dubbing other characters and the narrative is sometimes vague. But those are insignificant quibbles. Visually, this is the most stunning of all Welles' films with Edmond Richard (DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE) responsible for the exquisite images. The battle scenes which are probably the most admired aspect of the film are superb, one would have to go back to Eisenstein's battle on the ice in ALEXANDER NEVSKY to find something comparable. Welles the actor does right by Falstaff, he's impeccable. The outstanding score is by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino. With Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, Alan Webb, Fernando Rey, Norman Rodway, Marina Vlady, Beckley, Beatrice Welles and narration by Ralph Richardson.