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A Playboy magazine interviewer mentioned to Welles that poet W.H. Auden called Falstaff a "Christ figure," to which Welles agrees, but clarifies: "I think Falstaff is like a Christmas tree decorated with vices. The tree itself is total innocence and love." Working, as usual, in piecemeal, as his acting stints paid for the film in portions, it took Welles many years to complete the film, which was finally released in 1966. It is still not available in the United States, only as an import from Brazil.

Although Falstaff is an overweight character, Welles actually had to lose weight for the role. His weight caused him constant problems and ridicule for the latter half of his life, and was probably a result of his depression stemming from mistreatment by the media and the moguls in show business. Though the Academy honored him with a special Oscar in 1970, he refused to attend the ceremony. In 1975, the American Film Institute gave him their Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 1984 the Director's Guild of America gave him their D.W. Griffith Award for excellence.

Welles died in 1985, a couple of hours after another Merv Griffin interview, trying to woo the media nearly until his last breath.

Filmmakers of Faith, an occasional feature at Christianity Today Movies, highlights directors who adhere to the Christian faith—sometimes strongly, sometimes loosely, and sometimes somewhere in between. This series will include everyone from biblically-minded evangelicals to directors who may only have a "church background" and perhaps a lapsed faith … but their films are clearly informed by their spiritual history.

© 2009 Eric David, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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