Chimes at Midnight

film by Welles [1965]

Also known as: “Falstaff”

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July 21, 2026

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Chimes at Midnight (1965), also known as Falstaff, is a film by Orson Welles that draws from several of William Shakespeare's plays, including Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, Henry V, Richard II, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Welles himself stars as the titular character, Sir John Falstaff.1

Falstaff is portrayed as a companion to Prince Hal and offers a unique perspective on political events with a blend of common sense and self-interest. Despite facing budgetary and technical challenges during production, Welles skillfully utilized Spanish locations and a notable cast, including John Gielgud and Jeanne Moreau. The film is celebrated for its depiction of Falstaff's character and his tragic end, with the Battle of Shrewsbury sequence being particularly acclaimed.21

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Orson Welles
Later films: Chimes at Midnight, The Other Side of the Wind, and F for Fake
…the grandeur of Shakespeare in Chimes at Midnight (1965; also called Falstaff). Welles struggled against budgetary and technical limitations—much of the picture was poorly dubbed—but he skillfully used Spanish locations and an excellent cast that included John Gielgud, Margaret Rutherford, Moreau, and Fernando Rey. The Battle of Shrewsbury sequence toward…
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…the grandeur of Shakespeare in Chimes at Midnight (1965; also called Falstaff). Welles struggled against budgetary and technical limitations—much of the picture was poorly dubbed—but he skillfully used Spanish locations and an excellent cast that included John Gielgud, Margaret Rutherford, Moreau, and Fernando Rey. The Battle of Shrewsbury sequence toward…
Read More