The Trial) on DVD

The Orson Welles Collection
The Stranger/ King Lear/ David and Goliath/ The Trial
Actors: Anthony Perkins, Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider
Directors: Orson Welles, Andrew McCullough, Ferdinando Baldi, Richard Pottier
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense

NR 2006 7hr 0min

ORSON WELLES COLLECTION In the history of cinema, Orson Welles was a larger-than-life figure - both literally and figuratively. His classic 1941 feature Citizen Kane is widely regarded as the greatest American film of all... more » time, while his 1958 film Touch of Evil is often referred to as the greatest B-movie of all time. But in and around those classics, Welles starred in or directed a number of films that showed off his astonishing range and versatility that included works based on such diverse sources as Franz Kafka, William Shakespeare, and the Bible. This five-DVD collection contains some of Welles' unjustly overlooked gems. Included in this fascinating collection are THE STRANGER (1946), KING LEAR (1953), DAVID AND GOLIATH (1960), and THE TRIAL (1962). Plus, there's an ultra-rare live TV appearance by Welles on a 1956 Herb Shriner Show in which he recites poetry. In addition, two documentaries - Hollywood Remembers Orson Welles and Hollywood Couples: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth - round out this terrific set. No fan of classic cinema should be without this important collection from The Master. Disc One THE STRANGER After upsetting the studio executives with the arcane excesses of Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons, Welles set out to show RKO that he could make a movie that was on time, on budget, and that appealed to general audiences of the '40s. This taut thriller, released in 1946, was the result. Welles, playing an escaped Nazi war criminal hiding out in a small Connecticut town, is ably assisted by a stellar supporting cast that includes Loretta Young as his naïve wife, Edward G. Robinson as his dogged pursuer, and Philip Merivale as the kindly judge. 95 minutes. Disc Two KING LEAR Performed live in front of television cameras in 1953, Welles played the title role in this Shakespeare classic about a beleaguered king who is plagued by problems both political and personal. The impressive supporting cast includes Lloyd Bochner (The Twilight Zone), Beatrice Straight (Network), and Bramwell Fletcher (The Mummy). The music was provided by legendary Pulitzer-Prize-winning composer Virgil Thomson. Variety referred to this production as "the most definitive Shakespearean work in terms of any show-biz media." Welles' performance was equally - and justifiably - praised. 76 minutes. Disc Three DAVID AND GOLIATH This colorful Biblical epoch was produced in Italy in 1960 under the title DAVID E GOLIA. Despite his size, Welles did not play the giant Philistine, Goliath. Instead, he played King Saul, who is informed by his prophets who tell him the new king of Israel will be a young boy name David. David is played by Yugoslavian actor Ivica Pajer, who, more than twenty years later, played Meryl Streep's father in Sophie's Choice. Goliath was played by a genuine giant of an actor known only as Kronos. 95 minutes. Disc Four The Trial Franz Kafka's classic political thriller came to the screen in 1962 written by, directed by, and starring Orson Welles as Albert Hastler, the attorney. The main character, known only as Josef K, awakens to find he is suddenly and inexplicably on trial for an unspecified crime, and is played to quirky perfection by Anthony Perkins (Psycho). Akim Tamiroff, who gave such a memorable performance as "Uncle Joe" Grandi in Touch of Evil, also lends his support. Kafka, with his absurdist views and nightmarish visions, is not an easy author to translate for the silver screen, but Welles was clearly up to the task. 94 minutes. Disc Five The Herb Shriner Show This ultra-rare episode of the famed humorist's talk show features Welles in lively conversation as well as reciting some Carl Sandburg poetry on live TV in 1956. Hollywood Remembers Orson Welles A fascinating look at the public and private life of this often misunderstood genius of the cinema, who gave us such classics as Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons, but had difficulty living up to his earlier successes as time progressed. Rare film clips, newsreels, and photos tell his story. Hollywood Couples: Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth Some saw them as the Genius and the Glamour Gal. Others preferred Beauty and the Beast. Either way, they were one of the least likely and most compelling couples ever to light up the Hollywood skies. This fascinating documentary, filled with film clips and rare footage, examines the private lives of this curious couple - he of the towering talent, she of the gorgeous gams.

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Movie Details

Actors: Anthony Perkins, Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider
Directors: Orson Welles, Andrew McCullough, Ferdinando Baldi, Richard Pottier
Creators: Ambrogio Molteni, Anthony Veiller, Decla Dunning, Emimmo Salvi
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense
Sub-Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense
Studio: Passport
Format: DVD - Color
DVD Release Date: 02/21/2006
Theatrical Release Date: 04/02/1963
Release Year: 2006
Run Time: 7hr 0min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 5
SwapaDVD Credits: 5
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 1
Edition: Box set
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English, Italian

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Movie Reviews

If it sounds too good to be true...

M. Lucas | Oregon | 02/22/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Avoid this collection at all costs.

This is yet another among the plethora of public domain releases haphazardly thrown together without any regard for the quality of presentation. The source materials for these films, as you might imagine, are remarkably awful. But Passport International couldn't stop at being just any other over-night public domain distribution scam. What makes this collection cross over from "horrible" to "hilarious travesty" is that a red logo is at the bottom of every frame. I kid you not. The bottom of every hazy, warped, mutilated, vinegar-soaked frame."

GOOD FOR THE KING LEAR ALONE, OKAY FOR THE TRIAL

C. Scanlon | among us humans | 08/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection deserves to join your collection is only for being the best recorded King Lear. Welles is magnificent as Lear losing his powers and reason. It is the best work of Welles, directed by the great Peter Brooks, who incredibly presents an impossible ninety minute Lear.

THe second best King LEar ever is of course the James EArle Jones Joe Papp Shakespeare in the PArk presentation, which is a must-see. YOu may also find other favorite actors strutting about such as a very young and dashing Raul Julia, the subdued Paul Sorvino (except when his eyes get poked out- then we hear his operatic voice), and Rene D'auborjonois or whatever that you may remember from TV's BEnsen, Star TRek New GEneration (without his ears) and now Boston LEgal. But I go on about a very praiseworthy production on another DVD.

Here we see Welles in the fullness of his powers doing the best darn King LEar ever recorded, including Olivier's late kinder gentler production, or any other BBC production. It is worthy of multiple viewings.

Welles's serious ADAPTATION of Kafka's The TRial is probnably the best we shall ever see on film of that great novel, despite the alteration of the ending. The only other decent adaptation is by R. Crumb in his "introducing Kafka". But here Welles especially captures the young girls lurking about the artist's closet studio very well. Other elements of the play are well represented and worth studying along with the original novel kept ever at hand. Welles's aiming to push buttons of fear of nuclear war and other contemporary worries altered the novel, but it is worth seeing here.

As for the Stranger, as said here it is something Welles did for commercial success aimed at the concerns of the day. I feel this one is dated now, but it is nice to see the distinguished Mr. RObinson playing a good guy.

As for the rest, you are on your own. But having The Trial and King LEar are worth the price of admission, and will find replay on your system.

"

An Interesting Assortment of Wellesiana

Steves | Southern California, USA | 05/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously this isn't Citizen Kane or Ambersons or even Touch of Evil, but it's an interesting cross-section of Welles' work, some of which I'd never seen. Particularly scarce (I believe) is his guest appearance on the Herb Shriner TV Show in the Fifties. I hadn't seen that one. Also, I think they recalled the first batch and got rid of that red logo!"