eyefan

Any Welles fan should see this movie. It's another picture of his that was botched in the editing bay by hacks that couldn't understand the innovations in Welles artistry. But a discerning eye can see through the butcher's mess and get to the original idea. Although scattered, the acting is wonderful, the camera's perspective and set design are really special (although at times obviously under-budgeted.) Pay close attention to the old woman's home. The entire set was not only designed, but also built and hand painted by Welles himself. This is a good one to watch with "Journey Into Fear," another Welles disaster. But good fun all in all.

The trite dialogue, Ed Wood style special effects and ridiculous plot of this film creates a beautiful "cult" charm. Orson Welles plays a highly entertaining Gypsy and even directed a few of his scenes. Matching, and sometimes even topping Welles's fiendish performance is Akim Tamiroff, the sideman actor that played in many of Welles's films from Don Quixote to The Trial. This film is a bit tragic but most certainly charming. There are so many close up shots of Welles's black eyes mesmerizing the audience against a spine tingling score whispering lines like, "you will submit" that it makes me wonder why this film hasn't been re-released and put in the "cult classic" section of video stores. Good luck finding it.