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Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Play trailer Poster for Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles PG-13 2014 1h 32m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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73% Tomatometer 48 Reviews Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
From his infamous broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," to his landmark film "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles becomes a legendary figure in theater, radio and Hollywood.

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Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

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Critics Consensus

It may not quite live up to the superlative in its title, but Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles serves as a passable primer for those seeking an introduction to the legendary filmmaker.

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Critics Reviews

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Mark Kermode Observer (UK) 07/05/2015
4/5
Excerpts from unfinished films offer glimpses of what might have been, while Welles in discussion remains an unsurpassed raconteur. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 07/02/2015
2/5
[Magician] has an inelegant, cobbled-together feel that doesn't do justice to its subject. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 07/02/2015
4/5
This film makes a valuable and stimulating case for brilliant Welles movies such as Chimes at Midnight and The Trial. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 05/04/2024
At a brisk, dense 90 minutes.. it is an excellent introduction the life and work of the Welles with a focus on the creative. Go to Full Review Tom Graham CineVue 04/05/2019
3/5
The material is simply recycled. Yet Welles himself lights up the documentary. He was born to be interviewed, and it is a pleasure to watch him at different ages. Go to Full Review James Mottram Total Film 05/03/2018
Solid, straightforward but immaculately researched, Chuck Workmans documentary is a fitting tribute to the maverick Welles. If he were alive today, hed surely raise a glass. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Emilio T @MilloTPue 10/01/2019 It's interesting, as almost everything around Welles. See more Read all reviews
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

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Cast & Crew

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Chuck Workman

Director

Peter Bogdanovich

Self

Peter Brook

Self

Simon Callow

Self

William Friedkin

Self

Henry Jaglom

Self

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Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis From his infamous broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," to his landmark film "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles becomes a legendary figure in theater, radio and Hollywood.
Director
Chuck Workman
Producer
Charles S. Cohen, Alice Henty
Rating
PG-13 (Smoking|Nudity|Brief Language|Some Suggestive Images)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 10, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.5K
Runtime
1h 32m