The Magnificent Ambersons

George, the young and spoiled heir of the rich Amberson family, does anything in his power to sabotage the relationship between his widowed mother and the man she’s always loved. But eventually, George is met with his comeuppance…

Orson Welles’ second feature film after his much-lauded debut CITIZEN KANE, was the period drama and family chronicle THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS. Unfortunately, the studio RKO re-edited parts of the film and the audience will never see the end result Welles had in mind. But don’t let that deter you: the master’s voice is still (quite literally) present. And Welles learned from this experience. When he handed TOUCH OF EVIL (also on our programme) to the studio, and they again re-edited his work, he wrote 58 pages on his vision of the film, which made it possible to re-edit the film years later based on that text.

Welles does not appear in THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS himself, but he remains present as a voice-over narrator, which gives the film the feel of being set-up like a memory. A remarkable classic, which stands the test of time and leaves a tangible impression.