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The Completing of Orson Welles' Last Film

Here we have a concerned fan typing out what he's heard about the unseen last film of Welles'. I would like any and all information about this undertaking. It's a very strange process of taking an artist's work and finishing it for them. Very strange. I'm not gonna say it's wrong, especially if it is handled with the care that went into the latest release of TOUCH OF EVIL. What do you think of this sort of thing?

ok.... it looks like all the pieces are falling into place to finish up the remaining editing of welles' last film, "the other side of the wind." but i really hope all parties who may be helpful are consulted...

harry, here is what i have: rick schmidlin, the wonderful gentleman responsible for producing the current "welles cut" of touch of evil saying that he is now involved in the attempt to finish other side of the wind, BUT also saying that unlike touch of evil, detailed editing instructions don't exist for welles last film... and a story from late last year with peter bogdonavich saying that there ARE detailed instructions.

harry, please get these two guys together. the last film directed by orson welles better be handled right.

the current schmidlin quote:

10/09/98

Austin American-Statesman

"We're approaching it slowly and cautiously. It's not a completed Orson Welles film, so it's going to have to be constructed like a paint-by-numbers created by Orson, unlike `Touch of Evil,' where he left detailed editorial notes. But I think with the help of Oja, Gary and Joe, as a collective team we can come up with a collective interpretation."

ok, and now here is bogdonavich from The Guardian, 11/14/97:

As Bogdanovich explains, `There are current attempts to try and work it out, as there have been over the years, none of which have succeeded. I hope that they will succeed in my lifetime. I'd like to see the film.' If the situation is ever resolved, it's likely Bogdanovich will be involved in the labyrinthine editing process for which Welles has left detailed directions. He estimates the sum * needed to free and complete The Other Side Of The Wind at ` around $5 million'.

-- by the way, Austin American-Statesman, which i thank for covering this story, has it wrong, i believe, in that the entire story, (which i can forward to you if you wish) gives the impression that welles shot the film but editing was not done. no mention is made of the welles editing that was already completed, which the authorized welles bio, and others, states happened.

welles did not finish editing, but he DID finish the good majority of it. one would not know that from the Austin American-Statesman.

well, anyways, at least progress is being made......

just call me DEVADO

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