The Eyes of Orson Welles

Released Mar 15, 2019

1h 55m

Documentary

Biography

List

93%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Granted exclusive access to hundreds of private drawings and paintings by Orson Welles, filmmaker Mark Cousins dives deep into the visual world of this legendary director and actor to reveal a portrait of the artist as he's never been seen before -- through his own eyes, sketched with his own hand, painted with his own brush.

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Critics Consensus

The Eyes of Orson Welles uses a brilliant filmmaker's non-cinematic work to investigate his aesthetic from a refreshing -- and thoroughly entertaining -- perspective.

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Ty Burr

Boston Globe

Despite its unearthed treasures, "Eyes" remains a scrapbook by comparison, and a self-indulgent one.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 19, 2019

Full Review

Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

An utterly compelling love letter to a master of modern cinema.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 4, 2019

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

A digressive, idiosyncratic, and altogether fascinating documentary by Mark Cousins...

Rated: B+

Mar 29, 2019

Full Review

Dan Bayer

Next Best Picture

For all that "The Eyes of Orson Welles" may come up short, for lovers of film, it is still wonderful to see these pieces of history that have not really been seen before.

Rated: 6/10

May 13, 2022

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

A very personal, first-person meditation on that late creator, particularly viewing his life and work through the lens of the voluminous sketchbooks he left behind.

Oct 28, 2020

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Welles portrayal is appropriately cynical and menacing...

Aug 6, 2020

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Frances H

A ver creative and fascinating look into Welles films by examining his drawings and his life/

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/24

Full Review

S R

A different perspective on describing Orson Welles, with a mysterious box that provided insights into the Director. It was interesting, but the voice was hypnotic and put you to sleep. Saw on HBO.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

david d

Disturbing, revealing, enlightening, Mark Cousins has done a superb job of either bringing Orson Welles or Mark Cousins to light. I liked it a lot. Still thinking about it the day after.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Ray K

A cinematic love letter with a fresh approach to Welles work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/19

Full Review

Audience Member

A gem of a program taking a totally fresh approach to documentary. And it was filmed on handheld devices by the looks of it. Original, incisive and engaging.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Mark Cousins

Director

Mark Cousins

Narrator

Beatrice Welles

Self

Mark Cousins

Writer

Mark Bell

Executive Producer

Michael Moore

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Granted exclusive access to hundreds of private drawings and paintings by Orson Welles, filmmaker Mark Cousins dives deep into the visual world of this legendary director and actor to reveal a portrait of the artist as he's never been seen before -- through his own eyes, sketched with his own hand, painted with his own brush.

Director: Mark Cousins
Producer: Mark Bell, Michael Moore, Mark Thomas
Screenwriter: Mark Cousins, Mark Cousins
Distributor: Janus Films
Production Co: BofA Productions
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2019, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.1K
Runtime: 1h 55m

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