Chimes at Midnight

Chimes at Midnight

1965 · 115 min · EN · NR · 7.2 (185 votes)
Dir. Orson Welles · Starring Orson Welles, Keith Baxter, John Gielgud, Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford, Marina Vlady · Music Angelo Francesco Lavagnino

“A Distinguished Company Breathes Life Into Shakespeare’s Lusty Age of FALSTAFF”

ComedyDramaHistory

Henry IV usurps the English throne, sets in motion the factious War of the Roses and now faces a rebellion led by Northumberland scion Hotspur. Henry's heir, Prince Hal, is a ne'er-do-well carouser who drinks and causes mischief with his low-class friends, especially his rotund father figure, John Falstaff. To redeem his title, Hal may have to choose between allegiance to his real father and loyalty to his friend.

VIBE

A sweeping, boisterous, yet ultimately melancholic exploration of aging and honor. It feels like a grand, theatrical stage play brought to life, with witty dialogue and a profound sense of history. A true epic of flawed humanity.

boisterousmelancholicwittyepicsteadyShakespearean dramaperiod piececharacter-driventheatricalloyaltyfatherhoodaginghonor
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double lifeenglandgenerations conflictvirtueking henry ivvice15th century
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