Orson Welles' first picture was Citizen Kane which I think we have to agree was one hell of a debut. Next in line was The Magnificent Ambersons, a film legendarily maimed by RKO Studios who took the final editing out of Welles's hands and left us an eighty-five minute film whose ending is hurried and unsatisfactory. That much is unfortunate (particulary since the excised hour of footage was destroyed - a considerable act of vandalism) but what is left is nonetheless arresting. Welles is a master of shadow and his chiaroscuro palette is on fine display, as in Citizen Kane and as it would be deployed so brilliantly in the later Touch of Evil. All in all we have what remains a great (yes I use that term advisedly) movie but one that leaves that sensation of what might have been. 83/100.
Both Kane and Ambersons are currently available on BBC iPayer. Reason enough to pay the licence fee. Well nearly.
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