Chimes at midnight / Falstaff (1965)
I am neither a student of Shakespeare nor one born in the circle of aristocrats but I have been informed that this is a compilation of Shakespeare's work taken bits and pieces here and there and altered slightly to give this Orson Welles' direction everlasting praise and awards. The fat comical character of Falstaff who appears in many of Shakespeare's plays is played by Orson Welles in this movie. He calls himself Sir John Faltroff but he seems to be just a petty thief who claims to be and to do more than he could.
Richard II dies (some say murdered by Duke Bollingbroke) and relatives of the heir, Mortimer, comes to claim the throne but is chased away by the Duke. The Duke proclaims himself as King Henry IV. There is much chaos in the land but his son, The Prince, is just too happy fooling around with his fat fraud friend Falstaff and his friends of ill repute in a lodge.
After much deliberation, the Prince manages to fight the mutiny and take over the throne from his ailing father. He assumes the title King Henry V.
Upon hearing news of good friend's ascent to the throne, Falstaff visits the King who humiliates him and takes him to be someone from his bad dream and would like to life anew. He is imprisoned but is released the following day. Disheartened, Falstaff dies shortly afterwards.
The story may not be much but the poetic English with word play and comedy which sounds melodiously music to their ears is the plus point of the film. Kudos should also go to the grueling war scene on horse backs.
I am neither a student of Shakespeare nor one born in the circle of aristocrats but I have been informed that this is a compilation of Shakespeare's work taken bits and pieces here and there and altered slightly to give this Orson Welles' direction everlasting praise and awards. The fat comical character of Falstaff who appears in many of Shakespeare's plays is played by Orson Welles in this movie. He calls himself Sir John Faltroff but he seems to be just a petty thief who claims to be and to do more than he could.
After much deliberation, the Prince manages to fight the mutiny and take over the throne from his ailing father. He assumes the title King Henry V.
Upon hearing news of good friend's ascent to the throne, Falstaff visits the King who humiliates him and takes him to be someone from his bad dream and would like to life anew. He is imprisoned but is released the following day. Disheartened, Falstaff dies shortly afterwards.
N.B. I remember a time when RTM used to screen 'Merchant of Venice' and other classics just before the SPM (O-levels) examinations at the end of the year for the benefit of relevant students.
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