Black Magic (aka Cagliostro)

[tonyw]

I've just finished watching BLACK MAGIC directed by Gregory Ratoff which Welles participated in more than just being an actor. As well as being his first appearance with Akim Tamiroff who also has his wife Tamara Shayne with him (as in MR ARKADIN), it is amazing how it parallels Orson's key interest in the man of ambition. Like Charles Foster Kane, Cagliostro fails in his power quest. The film also anticipates his later THE IMMORTAL STORY with Cagliostro constructing his own form of narrative plot as does Mr. Clay in that later film. Also, the opening shot of young CAGLIOSTRO performing his magic routine before an audience evokes his wartime shows with Marlene Dieterich and his conjuring scenes with the young boy looks forward to the beginning of F FOR FAKE with the routine at the station. The swordfight at the top of the building also evokes the climactic scene in THE STRANGER where Franz Kindler falls to his death in a similar way.A minor film but one containing many parallels to Welles's other work and worth viewing.

[Le Chiffre]

I think it's a fun movie, although some of the scenes without Welles are pretty bland. Chicago's premiere arthouse, the Music Box is showing it as part of their Welles matinee series this summer. I may check it out since I've never seen it on the big screen.

[tonyw]

I think it will work on the big screen and you're right, the scenes without Welles are rather bland.

[Sir Bygber Brown]

I've been tempted, since its available on DVD in Australia. My copy is a bootleg some kind soul here sent me, maybe from a laserdisc or something. I've been into all this foreign cinema lately, though, I've curbed my addition to Welles acting projects for the timebeing.

[Sir Bygber Brown]

so im guessing nobody has the Region 1 DVD or the Region 4 dvd to give me a review on PQ? The Region 4 one is from Shock who I think might be bootleggers, based on recent Flesh for Frankenstein release being done without directors permission.