Orson Welles in Italy: Rosabella (Rosebud) 1999
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, NH 03038-4812; 800-876-CHIP (2447)
Produced by Maia Borelli
Director n/a
VHS, color, 60 min.
High School - Adult
Film Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Melinda Davis, University of Tennessee College of Law LibraryThere's good news and bad news. The good news is that this is fascinating footage of Orson Welles' life and work in Italy and extended reminiscences by producers, directors, editors, and actors who worked with him. Welles was arguably a creative genius; but he never mastered many common, everyday tasks (for example, writing a check was beyond him) and his genius was obscured by his inability to bring projects to completion. The extended saga of his unfinished magnum opus Don Quixote is a main focus of this documentary. The bad news is that the commentary is nearly all in Italian, and instead of voice-over simultaneous translations which might have preserved some of the energy and intensity of the comments, the powers that be opted for subtitles. The subtitles are terse, poorly phrased and riddled with misspellings, leaving this viewer annoyed and curious about the details and nuances that were no doubt missing. Not recommended.