Orson Welles Talks Citizen Kane in RARE Interview One Week Before His Death (Flashback)

[@johncopeland3826]

Its the voice that attracts you at first then the intellect and wit and sheer magnetism of all his talents ... incredible !

[@nicklanese2210]

When I was younger I couldn’t care about Orson Welles but now in my seventies I enjoy listening to him and find him amazing. RIP

[@thehouseofcm]

Can't get enough of this genius. Everytime I find a little interview of him, it's like a treasure.

[@teodelfuego]

You have good taste and a refined intellect

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Dietrich once said that after Orson talks with you...you feel like a plant that has been watered...

[@vysakhsbookreview1385]

Very true @ charlesMendias

[@Darkness-ie2yl]

its beautiful how much delusion the matrix can create in one life

[@sngs9565]

Orson Welles was a Genius without any doubt! You are definetely being remembered as a good guy and a genius!

[@MrKajithecat]

He was sharp as a tack up until the end.

[@ike2938]

what happened?

[@forestgeorge8855]

@@ike2938 Heart attack on October 10, 85

[@ike2938]

@@forestgeorge8855 He was a really ambitious man.

[@jonasseorum5471]

He didn't really get old. Your mind doesn't really start slipping until 75+

[@sandrashevey8252]

True, I was an extra in his last film and saw him up close (as press) at the American Film Institute Life Time Achievement Award. (He was chatting with Frank Sinatra...oooh!)

[@nutrianirvana6823]

I wish he'd completed Don Quixote, it would have been fantastic! What an ingenious creative he was. The intellect, the vision, the voice, the presence. No one can compare. He was the entire package. I've always been saddened by his tendency to self-sabotage. Rest in peace, Mr Welles.

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Genius is best defined as that quality which inspires others to greatness. Welles was such a person of genius.

[@WOODBINEMAN99]

We will never see another like Orson-so wise beyond his years-RIP

[@dylan3017]

You will... we all will... someday. Someday soon.

[@KyleCorwith]

He looks good in this interview. Surprising how soon he went.

[@65g4]

He was grossly overweight he was still sharp in his mind. But his body was not in good shape.

[@Progger11]

@@65g4 Not here. He looks like he had lost a lot. That might have been part of the problem. Dramatically losing weight all at once like that after being obese for decades can certainly cause a heart attack.

[@nikosvault]

He is basically in "brown face" here. Look at the hairline.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

​@@Progger11 Welles was still smoking. That's most likely the cause of his fatal heart attack.

[@gardensofthegods]

​​@@65g4I heard he lost 160 lb shortly before his demise .

[@michaelp.9921]

This video was wonderful to find in 2024....I can't get over the fact that I was in my junior year in college, a cinema major, studying this man's, and many others' work, when Mr. Welles passed away. My film professor plastered his office door with contemporary newspaper articles about him and his passing......wow......

[@defaultusername123]

*Truly a GREAT, in every sense of the world. His way with words and how he expressed himself was truly unparalleled by anyone in his era to me*

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

I’ve heard parts of this interview before and Mr. Wells came off saddened, regretful about his life. I’m grateful this is up because hearing it and it’s full context, or more specifically a fuller context, he’s still the true brilliant artist, funny, avuncular, and honest, vulnerable man I very much admire.

[@gardensofthegods]

In his interview with Tom Snyder that is here from 1977 he says that he has multitudes of regrets about his life

[@VirtualVisitor999]

Truly a genius.

[@mickeymousemattgregoryakaw6364]

AWESOME ORSON I LOVE HIS SPIRIT WORDS TRUTHS HONESTY & REALLY DESERVES A HUGE THANK U FROM US ALL 4 HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO US ALL

[@tdunph4250]

Pure Genius. One of only 4-5 true masters of the last 100 years

[@vengeancegauloise6049]

Just a fascinating, endlessly spellbinding man, who in a more just universe would've had his way

[@mccarthyken]

in his time Orson Welles was considered one of hollywood's Great Beauties and he never failed to charm

[@thewholls7176]

Very lucky to have these interviews so close before he died and to still have them on tape and be able to now watch them on KZbin…….

[@xlPEPlx]

I could listen to him all day long. Very well-spoken and intelligent, not to mention interesting.

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Orson Welles was the greatest actor/director ever. Everything he touched had that mysterious, magical aura about it, Kane being the pinnacle.

[@adama1383]

Thank you so much for uploading this.

[@4fundays]

Remarkable man, Remarkable life-- thank you Mr. Welles. 💖💖💖

[@sallybrown4947]

National treasure. Loved him and his work. One of a kind.

[@MrGordonSims]

As last interviews go, this isn’t half-bad. Clearly he still had all his faculties and could make the interviewer laugh.

[@Al-kb2xl]

My dad still call its "the pictures" when going to the movies lol I love it

[@Njbear7453]

So does my grandma

[@Sam_T2000]

my 102-year-old grandpa says the first movie he ever saw was a silent film (a romance, he thinks) with a live piano accompaniment… and I took him to see _Dune, Part 2_ a few weeks ago 😂

[@pe-peron8441]

​@@Sam_T2000That's wonderful. Times really do change, huh? Wish both of you the best

[@Cat-no8ts]

I saw a title that read something to the effect of a masterpiece he supposedly "sabotaged!" I can't imagine anything Orson Wells ever "sabotaged!' He was, to a large extent, a genius who was terribly under-rated and under-appreciated by others who couldn't see the forest for the trees! His voice, his personable charm and especially his talents...he was a gift! Citizen Kane was absolutely phenomenal and his voice for War of the Worlds...well, another masterpiece! There's no doubt, he was a "nice guy" who made classics a marvel!

[@shawbrothers18]

❤

[@ColeSonMusic]

I never looked into this guy but I sure as hell relate to him. I kept leaving Hollywood for 30 years. this hellhoke will steal your smile.

[@gardensofthegods]

He did a very good interview way back in 1977 with Tom Snyder and that's here on the tube

[@GloriaJWimberley]

Adored this movie...and we all have our Rosebud of importance✨

[@sclogse1]

This guy used to stay up at night painting the posters in the back alley in the "Who told you to throw the acid?" scene in Touch Of Evil. Just like the stage days with no money, all risk. Everybody chipped in. That's why I love the guy. And maybe this feeling I have for him comes from not having the father I could have also given it to. It needed to go somewhere. But I made the right choice, looking back 72 years.

[@spactick]

This guy? meaning you or Welles? and what did you mean "painting the posters?"

[@Shadowx011]

@@spactickI am fascinated to find out this story myself…please elaborate…throwing the acid? I am also intrigued. I am almost in tears I was born in the wrong generation…80’s…I want to go back to the 50’s or even earlier… Orson Wells…Oliver Reed…Peter o’Toole. …never again will the theater feel the way it felt…not with phones recording movies now instead of FILM. …I love going fast…I have a sport bike for that…but I hate how fast paced movies seem to be…no time for character development just say what is written. I have acted…it is Easy anyone can do it…but not everyone can be talented at it like Gary Oldman and Daniel Day Lewis…to name a couple of newer actors. Heath Ledger was well on his way to become a new modern actor like the greats like Orson Wells…Jack Nicholson.

[@davidrobinson2776]

Orson Welles was as sharp at the end as he was at the start. His mind never faltered.

[@christopherdennis4280]

I love this man.

[@lolly2222aa]

Looks incredibly well here. WOW just 70!! Interesting man.

[@kensuke0]

Eh, he looks his age. Considering he dropped dead from a heart attack shortly afterwards, it's clear he wasn't healthy.

[@NovaFeedback1979]

@@kensuke0 Definitely didn't take care of himself. Otherwise he probably would have lived longer. Interesting to have him speak in 1985 about Citizen Kane decades later though.

[@Cat-no8ts]

@@NovaFeedback1979 Citizen Kane was a masterpiece but Orson Wells was severely criticized for doing it. He had an awesome talent for making fiction seem non-fiction, and satirical roles seem possible. I don't think people of that era could truly appreciate that level of talent. It probably frightened them.

[@indomiepanggang4258]

@@kensuke0 how is it not healthy?

[@65g4]

@@indomiepanggang4258 hes saying HE wasnt healthy he was grossly overweight didnt you know that?

[@MVerdoux]

I already have long loved this man -- but now with seeing this - he, as nearly always - gave me another.

[@jordanmcpherson3794]

Watched Citizen Kane for the first time ever. I do public speaking and have done toastmasters, and his "almost" governor speech hasn't left my head in a week.

[@michaelt7209]

He is an absolute legend and super intellectual.

[@screenwriterabdullahh.erak2778]

Sir Orson Welles, Genius

[@garrison6863]

Citizen Kane is the best picture ever made in America. In one stroke Welles took the art of film direction to a point that no American had ever been before, and no director has matched since.

[@AndresMagnone]

I think the closest thing I've ever seen relative to its time is 2001. Personally. Literally and figuratively ahead of its time hehe

[@djhoneylove5710]

He looked great and was sharp of mind at the end.

[@VasiliosBakagias]

Immortal!!! ❤️♥️🌍🌎🌏

[@hmk5123]

We can assume he died much happier than Kane.

[@iria2663]

Man we need someone like him to come along today. Not going to happen though.

[@teodelfuego]

I feel the same way. If you had to, who in the movie business comes closest to Orson either as a director or actor?

[@ariadneferreira2252]

I know. They don’t make ‘em like they used to.

[@marianavarro3111]

Great interview 😊⭐👍🍕

[@romanclay1913]

Before directing CITIZEN KANE, Welles watched John Ford's STAGECOACH 40 times.

[@midwestmonster9886]

I bet he never saw it again after that.

[@peliche77]

In any dictionary next to the word "genius" there should appear an image of Orson Welles.

[@sprezzatura8755]

The Magnificent Ambersons is an exceptional movie. Welles felt it was far superior to Citizen Kane. I think the studio cut 45 minutes out of it.

[@65g4]

It is a great film even though the studio butchered the ending. I still feel Kane was his best film however there are some films like Touch Of Evil where it feels like he is more accomlished as a director specfically that opening scene in Touch Of Evil, The Trial is also another great one

[@ricardocantoral7672]

MA is a very good film but not a great one. I think Citizen's Kane is superior but I do not believe it's Welles' best movie. In my opinion, it's The Trial.

[@NBuddy-vk2vr]

One of a kind

[@martinwatters2729]

I LOVE ORSON ALWAYS> WHAT A SHOW OUTSTANDING>

[@marcogandara3242]

Incredible

[@rewelldrums]

A true genius

[@puertoricanboy100]

This look like it was recorded in the mid-2000s ❤

[@paulgrimm]

Fascinating man

[@johnmorris7262]

The Best. 🤩

[@ronwade2206]

Yes!

[@darrylskylar8757]

Rest In Heavenly Peace🙏🤍🕊🙏♥️

[@alecball68]

Yes he did it his way and yes he's doing it his way to this day

[@Joshua-mv3mv]

what a character dont get em like this anymore ❤

[@googleuser1197]

Orson Welles in this interview: "I'd rather be remembered as a good guy than as a difficult genius."

[@mojo3999]

Masterpiece!

[@victormarrotti2575]

Great man

[@mrright2808]

His statement that he’d rather be known as a good guy tells me he was Kane

[@Concreteowl]

He doesnt look like he has 7 days left in him. Looking at that video I expect him at the door of my top floor apartment when the elevator has broken down. I do miss him though. I wish he could make films today with all the technology that would liberate him from the studio system.

[@PariAbi]

♥️♥️♥️

[@CaapriceTube1]

If there's ever a biopic on his life, Vince Vaughan is the guy to cast. They look alike.

[@texasred2702]

He also has the voice.

[@petersmithyy4556]

Boy would he hate today. I can agree.

[@emmanuelgilliot6128]

A genius !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nms7872]

39 years ago

[@tiffanyroseangeles7517]

Dude is a genius & if nobody knows,also bipolar. I find him a attractive for a older gentleman.

[@bluetwinkiesaregood]

He was a genius. His IQ was 185!

[@dr.garethowen7447]

Yes you are point he is a very brave ,smart and intelligent man.

[@ABOSHAYA3]

where can I find the full interview?

[@CornishCreamtea07]

It's said that his unique voice has almost disappeared, likely due to smoking and hard liqueur, in this interview.

[@skar8009]

3:00 Wow Anthony Perkins

[@MrRazorblade999]

Maaha... the frenchh champaayne

[@melrose53]

Ahhh, the french!!!!

[@WhocaresWhy44]

John Huston and Welles were on the set of the latter's unfinished film. Huston asked Welles: "What is this film about?" Welles replied "Bastards, John, like us bastards!"

[@BretM]

I'll do what I can to remember him as a "good guy"

[@nikosvault]

did you know him?

[@forestgeorge8855]

Was he talking about them butchering The Stranger or was there another movie??

[@CookieMonsterMC11]

He is talking about The Magnificent Ambersons

[@Daniel-sh3os]

I enjoyed The Magnificent Ambersons more than Citizen Kane. I know Citizen Kane did amazing work with the camera, but I found the story wasn't as interesting as his 2nd picture. I think Robert Wise did a great job editing the film.

[@martinobrien7110]

Kane is Welles Monument .

[@jasonpalacios1363]

It would have been more interesting that in these interviews if he had mentioned his role as the voice of Unicron in Transformers the animated movie.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Jesus H. Christ.

[@RandomlyGenius]

That's a mistake that will be corrected one of these days 😎

[@Cat-no8ts]

LOL..good one!

[@hoboringmaster8029]

0:11 Holy shot he looks michael shannon right here And that father from It Ch 2 lol

[@ELIOSANFELIU]

He was a philosopher¡¡¡A greek philosopher¡¡

[@Ardjano234]

Alden Ehrenreich needs to cosplay or biopic Orson.

[@Bixler4]

“Proceed. Your way to oblivion.” -Unicron

[@Silva-je3bu]

Love to see Leonardo DiCaprio star as Orson

[@ronwade2206]

Orson Wells and Anne Margaret lived in Sedona

[@ShamzKSA]

👍👍

[@jamesstuart3346]

Anyone who can pass off Charlton Heston as a Mexican deserves the genius title 😅

[@vixercrouchrichter]

Unicron

[@justinherbert9146]

Orson used to do his own makeup - and he would lather it on heavy and dark as you can see here - as if he has a suntan - would drive the lighting folks and cinematographer mad but Orson did it his way - nice man though, i rather liked him.

[@robertprewitt776]

Kane could lose a million a year for 60 years Bezos can do it for 60,000 years

[@erikacomstock9995]

Lol rosebud is a bicycle and Rosen Orson just revised.

[@d.truett9980]

Erika Comstock -- we ALL should be so lucky as to have the ability, and opportunity, to revise the Welles revised.

[@singhpreet8301]

He was gonna make King Lear🤤

[@massi6528]

Everytime I'm about to forget how some movie studio runners are bunch of A-Holes, I come across an interview like this!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Even though Hollywood has always been a wretched place for creative minds, Welles had nobody but himself to blame regarding the trajectory of his career. He was an egomaniac who thought his shit didn't stink.

[@mariomouse8265]

Most big-name directors, especially the visually oriented ones, are like that. Orson Welles got lucky that he was afforded unlimited freedom on Citizen Kane. Almost every director you can think of despises the traditional Hollywood system; and for good reason! It’s too risk-adverse for an industry of its own scale and capital. His career involved difficult movies to finance, but Welles clearly did not think himself “too good” to do schlock like Transformers. He had skin in the game when it came to his movies, he made great films (many of which are better than Citizen Kane imho). If he was an egomaniac, he wasn’t a toxic one from my recollection If nothing else, he was dead correct on Woody Allen.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

​​@@mariomouse8265 I already mentioned that creativity has always struggled in Hollywood. As for Welles, he was capable of astonishing rudeness. Richard Fleischer witnessed it in person when he directed Compulsion.

[@davidwas77]

Can't believe this could've been what Darth Vader sounded like. Sorta glad George Lucas ended up going with James Earl Jones, although it is pretty close.

[@marcuscuscus]

Says it’s from a week before his death but he talks in the future tense about films he made in 53… 30+ years before he died lmao

[@erikricardoboscolo4779]

Good guy or difficult genius He wasn't neither He wasn't a 'good guy' And as a genius he wasn't difficult...he was necessary

[@d.truett9980]

And, of course, "A Touch of Evil" and "The Lady From Shanghai"...and "The Stranger"..and "Chimes At Midnight"...and..."The Magnificent Ambersons" (even in butchered state, Criterion, of course)...and "The Trial"...and...are likewise brilliant. Although "Mank" (and that over-celebrated plebe Kael) liked to say he was solely responsible for "Citizen Kane", the number of brilliant (and brilliantly flawed) films that Welles created after "Kane" far outnumber those by "Mank" That said, I think Welles was a brilliant collaborator, and as much as he hated it, film -- a collaborative medium -- and theatre was made for him. He was at his best when working together with someone, or adapting a play ("Othello", etc.) or book (BADGE OF EVIL; IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE).

[@EstebanGunn]

Check out "F for Fake." It's brilliant.

[@sandrashevey8252]

Should have played Lord Byron...the kind of man whose clothes you want to rip off....

[@13Orcun]

why does he always look with strange fully open eyes?

[@megalodon9400]

W. O. W.