Orson Welles Jesus Franco

The Profile

Orson Welles (1915–1985) was an American filmmaker and actor known for landmark films and experimental projects. Jesús (Jess) Franco (1930–2013) was a Spanish director noted for prolific work in horror, thriller and exploitation cinema.

Don Chisciotte (Welles' Don Quixote) was filmed intermittently beginning in 1955 and over roughly 15 years; Orson Welles never completed the film. In 1992 Welles' widow, Oja Kodar, entrusted the filmed material to Jesús Franco, who edited a posthumous version. The film mixes 16mm and 35mm footage, contemporary Spanish settings and improvised material; the review rates it 4/5 while calling it irregular but visually powerful.

A review of Orson Welles' unfinished Don Quixote, filmed intermittently from 1955 over about 15 years and left uncompleted. The material was later edited posthumously by Jesús Franco after 1992. The reviewer finds the film irregular and at times unresolved but visually powerful and half-successful. Recommended viewing in Spanish with Italian subtitles; rated 4/5.