Orson Welles on Acting and Directing

Orson Welles on Acting and Directing. From an interview conducted in Paris in 1960.
Help Support The Narrative Art. Products and transcripts available at
www.thenarrati...

[@DanJanTube]

I genuinely love this man. Despite his reputation, he was so magnanimous when discussing his peers, so self-effacing and even self-critical, somehow without being phony.

[@Kareragirl]

He also wasn't a racist or sexist, which was very common back in the day.

[@themoreyouknowfools4974]

@@Kareragirl lol he hates Irish men

[@lourencooliva7429]

Nonsensical comment, if the artist is born in a certain time, of course the common habits of the time are relevant.

[@dezvyzelman9777]

It's called class. A quality not that abundant nowadays

[@tubian323]

I always admired him for not putting his name first in his movies, also he didn't always make himself the hero. Often he was the villain in his own films.

[@MikelGCinema]

"Movie directing is the only job in the world where you can be utterly incompetent and have career for over 30 years without anybody discovering it" Such a powerful and truthful comment...only him could have said it.

[@schmebulockjizz]

Lets see if we agree with these examples: James Wan Sam Méndez The people who make bullshit teen dramas The directors behind the terrible modern day horror movies, like conjuring 3 and countless others Adam Wingard David benioff (not director but whatever) Many people behind most nextflix tv shows, like Lauren Schmith People working at Bloomhouse studios. Some of the more cookie cutter directors at marvel studios. Sucess is never ever proportional to quality.

[@MikelGCinema]

@@schmebulockjizz and the impossibly more mediocre of Ron Howard.

[@hevykevy316]

@@MikelGCinema mediocre maybe, incompetent no.

[@Johnconno]

Ron Howards appalling work is only matched by his astonishing good looks.

[@zombiesl4yer499]

@@schmebulockjizz I know you didn't just lump Sam Mendez into that list! Maybe you didn't like Empire of Light or the Bond films he did, but god damn, 1917 is a masterpiece. Mendez is too good to be on that list.

[@pam0626]

This was back when interviewers really did their homework and asked meaningful questions. Their conversation blossomed from just one key question, “Is your acting performance affected negatively or positively when you are also the director of the film?”

[@monwhooperinvasive8064]

pam0626 this was back when people had a real education.

[@bishlap]

and people's attention span lasted more than 3 seconds.

[@misterexpresshimself]

@Dante Murch what do you mean?

[@NostalgiNorden]

well...he was kind of pushing the question on him 3 or 4 times until the conversation "Blossomed". If he had done his research eh wouldn't have had to ask the question in the first place.

[@jcc6913]

I think that a lot of interviewers are still like that, but they tend to be in more esoteric publications

[@floyjoy]

That last statement was profound. The director has be something of a writer, cameraman, editor, etc. This makes me think of Chaplin who I consider one of the greatest director. Chaplin even wrote the music to accompany his movies once movies had a sound track. The composed the music for his silent films too.

[@doctorstreamspunk9996]

I met Welles when I was in high school and doubled for Edmond O'brien in The Other Side of the Wind. I spent weeks on set and saw the spontaneous honesty that had made it difficult for him to work in Hollywood. He was at heart a rebel and unwilling to submit to cavalier authority. He was a lovely and thoughtful man who engendered great loyalty and deep friendships, traits quite alien to the Hollywood where I was to work afterwards. He was not a careerist but a perpetual amateur, driven by passion intellect and curiosity much more than ego.

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Great share. Thank you. Orson was not built for the Hollywood cookie cutter. He was an idealist. He wanted to tell the best stories possible and Hollywood had other ideas.

[@Vanexelfan3137]

This interview is on fire. Thank you algorithms.

[@beflygelt]

Interviewer did a great job at getting Welles to give his honest thoughts

[@NostalgiNorden]

By forcing it on him until he gave in?

[@MrBenzcdi]

the whole interview went like that

[@palecap]

Can't help but admire this man. Even when it seems someone is trying to back him into a corner, he responds with candor but absolute fairness. Just the facts, as he sees them.

[@margaritalazo3193]

I love his voice! Your pronunciation. Is special. ❤

[@8TENASTER8IDS]

.....this "full-interview" held within his Suite at the Le Meurice Hotel in Paris during 1960, is the most insightful Q&A interview ever given by Orson Welles.....

[@cinnamon4605]

Great experience watching and listening Welles.

[@mindriot91_96]

I can listen to him speak for hours. A truly fascinating man. RIP OW.

[@dennymandrake9817]

Orson...please come here via time machine!

[@Zed-fq3lj]

This is GOLD!

[@samfilmkid]

That last bit about directing is so fucking true.

[@krisjill5918]

My thoughts exactly. This man was a genius!

[@bacht4799]

And that’s why one of the reasons why Kubrick was a brilliant as he was .. and it’s funny sorry too say this nonsense I know it’s annoying but I was thinking something about that too except I wouldn’t have the genius or knowledge that Mr Welles have..

[@nanny287]

“The Third Man”’where Orson played the “Harry Lime” character he discusses briefly at the beginning of this video is his best role. I loved the cinematography and camera angles in this excellent black and white film with the great Joseph Cotten, Orson’s friend. There were many rumors that Orson “informally co-directed” this film, which does reflect Orson’s style, but no one formally admitted to it that I am aware of. The credited director, Carol Reed, did an outstanding job as well.

[@8TENASTER8IDS]

.....Good Afternoon, yes but you need to watch the 2 films that Carol Reed directed prior to The Third Man (1949) to appreciate and understand Reed's directing style and camera work/angles, Odd Man Out (1947) and The Fallen Idol (1948).....interestingly Robert Krasker was the same cinematographer for both Odd Man Out (1947) and The Third Man (1949), so Orson Welles would have been fully aware of this prior to accepting his acting role for The Third Man.....additionally, Carol Reed produced all 3 of these films, likewise all 3 films won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.....

[@jeremyevans8374]

Gotta love that Mid-Atlantic accent. Smooth as silk.

[@pahari75]

Seems so real and in the moment as if this conversation is happening right now in 2021 not 61 years ago!!

[@donaldmatthew4980]

The greatest actor Ever, watch Citizen Kane, Orson Welles was amazing.

[@davidtignor6698]

welles put everthing on the line with citizen kane . is career was bascially over after that ,he was blacklisted without pubically being blacklisted . he stepped on peoples toes iscareer was never the same. citizan kane is the greatest film ever made

[@aslan9334]

I wish this interviews were longer :(

[@knightlight2627]

I could listen to both Welles & Friedkin talk about filmmaking for hours.

[@dallasbrunson3677]

Absolutely astounding

[@rre9121]

I don't really give a crap about movies, but i like hearing Orson Welles speak. There's a lot going on in that noggin of his, and I couldn't name a single movie he's made.

[@LeiaThePrincess1]

I love when he says "yes" to some questions and at the same time shaking head "no"

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

...and the exact same "yes" pitch, timber and delivery as "...yes, always. Your FRIEND..." Orson was the best!

[@zmani4379]

This interview was taking place during the decline of the studio system, but studios were still strong, and I wonder how much of Welles' observations was predicated on the assembly line approach to film-making that was prevalent during that era

[@tommythegreekotisakaitchy4221]

A WONDERFUL MAN IN FILM.

[@zombiesl4yer499]

Imagine what Orson Welles would have done in today’s age of filmmaking. He would’ve shown a lot of these phonies a few things.

[@JohnC-er3rg]

Yes with the advances in technology he wouldn’t be restrained as much with trying to find financing

[@chriswiggins1679]

Who are people talking about when they say "these insert whatever". There have always been trash film makers. His time is full of trashy forgotten movies. We have great movies today and great filmakers as well as trash. What Im saying is great filmmakers dont prevent bad ones.

[@thomascuriel7611]

​@@chriswiggins1679 never get match his age. Never...

[@tryharder75]

There's only one Orson Welles! what a guy

[@Gorboduc]

I suspect the "big courtroom scene" he mentions was Compulsion.

[@govanentertainment1777]

He’s a great inspiration, no doubt.

[@henrychamberlain4724]

Orson is just great!

[@aslan9334]

When he stared talking about Charlie Chaplin - God i wish i had been alive during this time!

[@bobtaylor170]

Twenty years ago, I was talking with a friend about the qualitative difference between various artists and celebrities of 2002 and those circa 1960.

[@YomsterFUT13]

@@bobtaylor170I’m with you guys but h also think we over romanticise a time where we weren’t there and take nowadays for granted in how many insanely talented people are you there across a bunch of mediums.

[@bobtaylor170]

@@YomsterFUT13 what pleases and surprises me is how many young people there are who are first rate classical musicians and opera singers. I've seen articles about the fact that fifty years ago, such people would gotten jobs with major companies easily, but now, there just isn't the audience interest which there once was.

[@monwhooperinvasive8064]

Great man.

[@ny4978]

Roy Batty N6MAA10816 great profile photo

[@Squigglies]

A man well and truly ahead of his time - I'm in the video games industry where this is even MORE disquietingly accurate 😰😰😰😰 We don't hold any one in power accountable for their bad decisions, but the lowest echelons of staff will be laid off to foot the bill for bad decision making, poor leadership and bombed reviews.

[@urubear]

“What you’re trying to get me to admit…” 👏👏👏

[@LosHuxleys]

Best director ever

[@LosHuxleys]

Best actor ever

[@bishlap]

Orson was too down to earth and "normal" for the Hollywood elite and Hollywood BS.

[@NostalgiNorden]

I wouldn't call him "Down to earth" at all. Very smart for sure but also larger than life.

[@DC-zi6se]

His ego was bigger than everyone. He was enormously intelligent but never down to earth.

[@hank0365]

Down to earth? He puts on black face to play Othello on film. That is an inflated ego who focused on his own talents from stage over the consequences of his action forever documented on celluloid.

[@thomascuriel7611]

​@@hank0365 he can't escaped of his era.

[@nil.smith9]

Loved this. Got to learn a lot

[@aslan9334]

When he said Lawyer i thought he would have been so good for that new show as Perry Manson!

[@Johnconno]

Charlie's brother?

[@Conn30Mtenor]

He often played the villain in his films. You can never expect that of the likes of Costner or Mel Gibson.

[@dezvyzelman9777]

Strange question considering Welles directed himself in Touch of Evil (1958) 2 years prior to the interview

[@DenkyManner]

A little bit strange, but I think the context is then agreeing The Third Man was his best role, and he didn't direct it. I think it was almost just a thought experiment to get get Welles' view

[@dezvyzelman9777]

@@DenkyManner Maybe his most charming and memorable role, but in terms of acting, really taking on another persona, his corrupt cop in Touch of Evil is also on par. But yeah, good point

[@AceMoonshot]

@@dezvyzelman9777 Harry Lime vs Hank Quinlan...both are splendid performances but I think I prefer Welles as Hank Quinlan.

[@rafaelpaulino9129]

Crazy how this accent doesn't exist anymore.

[@afonsolucas2219]

It's an upper class New York kind of accent I think. I wouldn't say Trans-Atlantic, that one is taught though.

[@IGetAround29]

Afonso Lucas yeah but he’s not from New York. It sounds a lot like Trans Atlantic. He also did a lot of theater in his early career and that’s where that training comes from (also England). Either way it’s a fascinating accent!

[@HeadbutKneecap]

He gives such a great answer. His performance was always going to be great, and he is a good director, but the film would have been better if Welles directed it.

[@jayfolk]

Great man. Wasn't popular, but critically, goes down history as a /\.

[@juanlambda27]

Wasn't popular?

[@SonofSethoitae]

What do you mean "wasn't popular?" He directed what many consider the greatest film of all time

[@PeterStellenberg]

@@SonofSethoitae He wasn't popular while he was alive. Sure, he was well known but Hollywood and the public despised him. Only in Europe his work would find some reverence.

[@citizenchris099]

When he describes what a competent and good director should be doing he sounds like he’s predicting Stanley Kubrick in some ways

[@citizenchris099]

The only thing Stanley didn’t do on his list is act. However he did have very particular preferences regarding the performances in his films.

[@zetok45]

Kubrick was very wasteful. Shooting scenes 50 times and not trusting the people around him. "Oh, if I move the camera 2 inches to the left it will be so dramatic" .... Clint Eastwood by far is probably one of the best

[@thomascuriel7611]

​@@zetok45 However, Kubrick was a lot of better filmmaker than Eastwood, respect of his final results. Of course, it's very desirable to be a non-wasteful but even that is no warranty of quality. I was thinking most in Sydney Lumet and the first Scorsese.

[@EWACPRODUCTIONS]

😂😂😂😂 he does have a point

[@PariAbi]

❤❤

[@scottnapier943]

I can't believe people are praising the interviewer Bernard Braden in the comments. Watch the complete interview, he is totally inept and not capable of dealing with the intellect of a man like Orson Welles. At one point he claims Sir Laurence Olivier doesn't have a very good acting voice, much to the disgust of Welles. He then tries to quote something Welles had said and can't even remember the quote! Thank goodness Orson is a great orator and took control of the situation. It is a great interview despite Mr Braden.

[@chrisdell5679]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIfZn2iGhq2GfJo Was it as bad as this?

[@nicochinski]

Well believe it. I watched the whole interview and I think the interviewer did a great job asking intelligent informed questions and allowing Orson to talk without interrupting much. He may have made those mistakes you point out, but overall I think he did a fantastic job. Imagine for a second this interview with Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon instead, and then tell me what do you think of this guy´s job.

[@philbaxter9372]

OK, this has nothing to do with the interview: but, I would like to have seen John Candy in a biographical film playing Orson Welles.

[@NostalgiNorden]

Good luck with that.

[@AceMoonshot]

He was great as Welles in comedy bits. "I'm always on my mark. Move your camera." But he had legit acting chops. I think he totally could have pulled it off. You made me miss something that I never knew I wanted in the first place.

[@Mc007Queen]

He is the best . But a good director will bring out the best actor ... if you have an awesome director they will let them Know ... they are Peter O'Toole , Michael Caine , Alan Rickman + .. is the director that makes them the Great

[@sumitnagaria616]

nice

[@jonsnow911]

4:10

[@Havaseet2]

Huh... I never knew Orson Welles played Paulie in Goodfellas.

[@youssefbelhaous7533]

Did he?

[@thomascuriel7611]

He's already dead for the date

[@vicmclaglen1631]

Correct

[@JeffersonHilary]

Hernandez Daniel Anderson Laura Clark Michael

[@dh-ck2om]

Bro i thought he was the guy that wrote 1974

[@j.j.5731]

​@@charlie_santosno, George Orwell wrote 1984.

[@alyssachesterton9463]

Walker Lisa Wilson Jason Johnson Paul

[@Johnconno]

I'd prefer him talking about food, drink, women, and men's fashion.

[@photosbydoyle]

M Night

[@navigatorone1808]

coming from different areas of expertise but In style and thought process i see a lot of interchangeable characteristics with Elon Musk...both geniuses... but not universally loved by many....

[@yuntakukai1002]

a great man, even though he was not pro-White

[@thomascuriel7611]

When to be pro-white (or pro-black) was a right Thing?