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

In the captivating documentary, "Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles," we embark on an exploration into the enigmatic life and career of the prodigious Orson Welles. This journey commences on the eve of his centenary, painting a portrait of a man who was as much a Hollywood enigma as he was a star, a director, and a groundbreaking independent filmmaker. Welles' life unfolds like a magical tapestry: a child prodigy mastering music at ten, directing Shakespeare at fourteen, wielding a painter's brush at sixteen, and becoming a star of both stage and radio by his twenties. His romantic escapades with the world's most stunning women, including Rita Hayworth, add a touch of glamour to his extraordinary life story. The documentary highlights the astounding breadth of Welles' work, most notably his creation of "Citizen Kane" at the tender age of twenty-five, a film held by many as the most significant in cinematic history. The narrative doesn't shy away from the ebb and flow of Welles' career post-Citizen Kane, showcasing his relentless pursuit of filmmaking, often taking on acting roles to finance his own projects. "Magician" offers an intimate view into Welles' body of work, featuring scenes from virtually every film he ever made. From his first film "Hearts of Age," crafted in a single day at just eighteen, to glimpses of his tantalizing unfinished works such as "The Other Side of the Dream," "The Deep," and "Don Quixote." The documentary also unveils rare snippets from his television and commercial endeavors, providing a comprehensive view of his astonishing life and work. Immerse yourself in the magical world of Orson Welles, a man whose genius continues to echo through the annals of film history.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a documentary movie featuring Simon Callow and directed by Chuck Workman.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Tubi TV and it's also available on Cohen Media Amazon Channel and Fandor Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.