Despite the System: Orson Welles versus The Hollywood Studios

In this fine appraisal of his oeuvre, Heylin looks at the director's
failure to capitalise on the promise of Citizen Kane.

In this fine appraisal of his oeuvre, Heylin looks at the director's failure to capitalise on the promise of Citizen Kane. Welles' own uncompromising attitude didn't help his later projects, such as The
Magnificent Ambersons and A Touch of Evil, but neither did the unrelenting interference from Hollywood execs.

Heylin's thorough research takes in first-hand sources such as shooting scripts, memos and letters. By looking at problematic situations in such fine detail, he incites sympathy for the enigmatic
director.

There is, however, one glaring omission: Welles' magnificent turn as
Unicron, Eater Of Planets, in the 80s Transformers movie.


CLINTON HEYLIN
(CANONGATE, £10.99)

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