Criterion Year Week 73: Chimes At Midnight

The Film Thugs Movie Show

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Chimes at Midnight

Spine Number: 830

Director:Orson Welles

Genre: Drama

Orson Welles is one of the few people who completely earns the title "Genuis." From his early stage work to his groundbreaking radio plays with the Mercury Players to his masterful film work he basically defined every medium he worked in.

Of course people focus on "Citizen Kane," which is resonable. I mean.. when your first movie is constantly duking it out for the title of Greatest Movie Ever Made, it tends to get some attention. But, some of his best and most impressive work was in the world of Shakespeare. His modern fascist retelling of Julius Caesar, his reimagining of MacBeth with an all African American cast are still considered some of the greatest producitons of Shakespear's work ever produced, and that was before he even consiered making movies.

So, what does a ballsy genuis top himself in the world of Shakespeare?

How about adapting three plays into a completely original work that focuses on one of the most well known secondary characters in all of Shakespeare's canon?

Yeah... he did that.

Chimes at Midnight combines elements from The Merry Wives of Windsor, and King Henry IV parts 1 & 2 and follows the character of Sir John Falstaff. Friend and tutor to young King Henry V, and one of the only characters to be almost completely defined by his cowardace.

Chimes at Midnight is a ballsy movie. How many people looked at one of the most respected bodies of work every produced in any language and said, "It's missing something."

But, that's just how Orson rolled.

So, join us as we take a look at this classic work from a one of cinema's most original voices.

Next time...

Spine number 834: Blood Simple

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Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.

It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.

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It's fantasy football for movie people.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

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Thanks for listening, and until next week...