Chimes at Midnight

1965, History/Drama, 1h 55m

51 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A classic story adapted by a filmmaker near his creative peak, Chimes at Midnight unites Welles and Shakespeare - and powerfully distills the best of both. Read critic reviews

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Chimes at Midnight Photos

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Movie Info

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

Cast & Crew

Orson Welles
Falstaff
Jeanne Moreau
Doll Tearsheet
John Gielgud
Henry IV
Margaret Rutherford
Mistress Quickly
Marina Vlady
Kate Percy
Keith Baxter
Prince Hal
Norman Rodway
Henry "Hotspur" Percy
Orson Welles
Director
William Shakespeare
Writer
Raphael Holinshed
Writer
Orson Welles
Writer
Ángel Escolano
Producer
Emiliano Piedra
Producer
Harry Saltzman
Producer
Alessandro Tasca
Executive Producer
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
Original Music
Edmond Richard
Cinematographer
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Critic Reviews for Chimes at Midnight

All Critics (51) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (2)
Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Richard Brody New Yorker Full Review… Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic Full Review… Chris Nashawaty Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Peter Rainer Christian Science Monitor Full Review… Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal Full Review… Matthew Rozsa matthewrozsa.com Full Review… Eve Tushnet Patheos Full Review… Ann Birstein Vogue Full Review… Lauren Humphries-Brooks Suddenly A Shot Rang Out Full Review… Linda and Al Lerner Movies and Shakers Full Review… Mattie Lucas From the Front Row
View All Critic Reviews (51)

Audience Reviews for Chimes at Midnight

  • Jan 02, 2017
    Welles is obviously a great Falstaff but not in the ways you'd expect. His bold performance consistently defies conventional takes on the character.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 10, 2015
    Perhaps I was not in the mood to take in one of Shakespeare's lesser regarded works but I completely did not enjoy this Welles' masterpiece.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Feb 12, 2011
    Visually stupendous exercise from Orson Welles that should be at the front line of Great Movies next to his other masterpieces. I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, and I found this laugh out loud hilarious at some times and emotionally resonate at others. 100/100 More at: http://thegreatestreview.blogspot.com/2011/02/obscure-cinematic-gem.html
    Simeon D Super Reviewer
  • Dec 23, 2008
    Complaints about low-quality dubbing seem unfair in the face of such stunning images and inspired direction. Orson Welles' vision is strange, powerful and inspiring. He always finds surprising ways to shoot and cut his films, and just looking at them is thrilling enough for me. The performances are uniformly strong as well.
    Mike T Super Reviewer
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