Chimes At Midnight

Released: 1965

Directed By: Orson Welles

Starring: Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau

Certificate: PG

“Jesus, the days that we have seen Master John” recalls Justice Shallow to his old and fat friend Falstaff as they recount their youth. “We have heard the Chimes of Midnight”.

“Chimes of Midnight” is held in high regard by those that have seen it, however, until quite recently this was a very small group of people. Now thanks to a brand new transfer by Brighton based indie film and music label, Mr Bongo, the world is finally ready to bear witness to Welles ‘favourite film’.

It tells the story of Prince Hal (the future Henry V), his non-existent relationship with his father Henry IV (played to perfection by John Gielgud), and his ever increasing dependence on John Falstaff (played, of course, by Orson Welles). Prince Hal isn’t interested of learning the ways of the court and instead seems quite content spending time with the crooks and criminals in a local brothel. That is until his right to the throne is threatened and he must make a choice between his real family and his assumed one. What unfolds over the next two hours is a tale of love and rejection treated with the deft of hand only Orson Welles can bring.

Based upon his stage play, ’Five Kings’, Welles condenses Shakespeares Henry IV parts one and two and brings the comic-tragic character of Falstaff to the foreground. Regularly cited as his favourite film, “Chimes of Midnight” displays Welles at his frugal best. Shot on location in Spain with an incredibly small budget the film utilises real castles and wooden huts and brings with it all the cavernous glory and rickety delights they both offer.

As well as filling the screen with his presence (and size) Welles is also behind the camera directing Shakespeare with a flurry of excitement and glee. Alongside the influential and increasingly gory battle sequence(supposedly the inspiration for Mel Gibsons ‘Braveheart’) we get a wonderfully comic chase sequence involving Falstaff who nimbly prances around the forest while we dash past the trees in some impressive tracking shots for the time.

The cast too is a wonderful ensemble with Margret Rutherford (of Agatha Christie fame) playing the irascible Mistress Quickly, Keith Baxter as Prince Hal and his challenger to the throne Hotspur played by Norman Rodway.

The film will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from June 29th and can be seen in a limited theatrical run until July 6th. Go to http://falstaffchimesatmidnight.com for more details.