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FILMMAKERS OF FAITH

'I Try to Be a Christian'

Orson Welles had a Catholic upbringing and was involved in several projects based on the Bible, but he mostly identified with Shakespeare's Falstaff—a Christ figure 'decorated with vices.'

Eric David | posted 5/19/2009 08:41AM

The great Jean Luc Godard once said of Orson Welles, "Everyone will always owe him everything."

Well-known for his innovative approach to staging and structuring classic dramas, as well as for his dashing ...

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aez	Posted: June 08, 2009 9:47 AM


He also adapted "The Man Who Was Thursday" (Chesterton), a quirky mystery about faith, love, honor, and God, for radio. I esteem Welles for so much, but even more highly for this.

Bryan

Posted: May 26, 2009 2:31 PM


What is the title of his narration of "the gospel story in the 1950s for Americana Audio"? I would love to hear it, but can't find a title through Google.

Bryan

Posted: May 26, 2009 2:31 PM


What is the title of his narration of "the gospel story in the 1950s for Americana Audio"? I would love to hear it, but can't find a title through Google.

Paul	Posted: May 26, 2009 8:39 AM

"The Third Man" is required viewing. In 43 years of watching movies, I've come to regard it as the greatest movie ever made, in terms of using the full language and tools of film to tell a compelling story with powerful visuals (it's not my favorite of all time, however - that honor goes to Bill Forsyth's whimsical "Local Hero," but I definitely regard "Third Man" as the greatest cinematic achievement ever). And as the previous poster said, it is a stark meditation on what it means to abandon God for self. Through the character of Welles' Harry Lime, It shows how corruption and evil can be wrapped in a convincingly charming package.

Bryan

Posted: May 25, 2009 5:57 PM


What is the title of his narration of "the gospel story in the 1950s for Americana Audio"? I would love to hear it, but can't find a title through Google.

Atrius

Posted: May 22, 2009 9:22 PM

Definitely ahead of his time and a great innovator of cinema, he was also trying to fill a void in his life that only God could satisfy. Hollywood squandered the treasure they had in Welles. Artists like him don't come around every day. To be as brilliant as he was, seems to be a mixed blessing, as it put him so far ahead of the curve regarding his contemporaries, and thus to the discredit of his peers, brought him ridicule due to their own limited understanding of what true art is and what it could become.

glzd-donut

Posted: May 22, 2009 6:04 PM


A genius writer/director of films. too bad he couldnt control his gluttony. His voice! acting he had amost marvelous voice that cause you to shake and quake. a very good short outlline of his life. thank you very much, and God bless.

deacondave

Posted: May 20, 2009 3:34 PM


Welles was a genius and now not nearly appreciated as he should be. A great piece! Thank You!

alwynbilly

Posted: May 20, 2009 2:20 PM


I think that much of what Welles did as time went on may have been due to the boredom of lost spiritual direction. Another favorite of mine in which he is the character is a Graham Greene screenplay, The Third Man. This movie portrays what happens when desire displaces morals.

impossibleape

Posted: May 20, 2009 12:25 PM


wonderful story about an enigma wrapped in a paradox Welles was a complicated and wonderful talent who was grossly under-appreciated in his industry and his time

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