AI: Talking Orson Welles with ChatGPT

By RAY KELLY

AI has gone mainstream with the arrival of ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) – the artificial intelligence chatbot that was launched by OpenAI two months ago.

Talk of AI raises concerns in some quarters. After all, sci-fi has given us 2001‘s homicidal HAL 9000, Star Trek‘s M-5 "ultimate computer" and the all-powerful Colossus: The Forbin Project. But, my immediate concern was its factual accuracy as it is poised to give Google and other search engines a run for their money.

So I road tested ChatGPT with some questions about my favorite movie director. There are a few AI misfires to be sure (facts about Big Brass Ring, The Other Side of the Wind and other unfinished movies among them), but I have had worse conversations with flesh-and-blood film fans.

So, without further ado…

Hello ChatGPT, what can you tell me about Orson Welles’ legacy?

Orson Welles is considered one of the most important figures in the history of American cinema. His legacy is defined by his innovative and experimental approach to filmmaking, his striking visual style, and his ability to tackle complex and controversial subject matter in his films.

Welles is best known for his debut film Citizen Kane (1941), which is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. The film’s innovative use of non-linear storytelling, deep focus photography, and striking visual style set new standards for filmmaking and made Welles an instant sensation in Hollywood.

Welles’ legacy also includes his work as an actor, writer, and director in theater, radio, and film. He was one of the most versatile and respected figures in the entertainment industry during his time, and his work continues to be studied and admired today. He also had a great impact on the new generation of filmmakers, especially those who are considerate as auteurs.

In addition to his artistic contributions, Welles is also remembered for his larger-than-life personality and his reputation as a difficult but brilliant artist. His legacy continues to be celebrated in the film industry and beyond, with many filmmakers and critics citing him as a major influence on their work.

Besides Citizen Kane, what Orson Welles-directed movies would you recommend I check out?

Orson Welles directed and starred in several notable films throughout his career, including:

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
Touch of Evil (1958)
Chimes at Midnight (1965)
F for Fake (1973)

These films are widely considered to be among Welles’ best works and are definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of his work.

What happened to his career as a director in Hollywood?

Orson Welles’ career as a director in Hollywood was marked by both great success and great disappointment.

After the enormous success of Citizen Kane (1941), his first film as a director, Welles struggled to get his next projects off the ground. He had several high-profile film projects that were either never completed or were heavily compromised by studios and financiers. His second film, The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), was taken away from him during editing and drastically cut down by the studio, RKO Pictures.

Welles’ career in Hollywood was also affected by his reputation for being difficult to work with and for going over budget on his films. As a result, he had trouble getting financing for his projects and was often forced to take on acting roles to make ends meet.

Despite the difficulties he faced, Welles continued to make films throughout his career, although he was never able to achieve the level of success he had with Citizen Kane. Nevertheless, many of his later films, such as Touch of Evil (1958) and Chimes at Midnight (1965) are now considered cinematic classics and demonstrate his enduring legacy as a filmmaker.

What can you tell me about The Other Side of the Wind?

The Other Side of the Wind is a film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Orson Welles. The filming of the movie began in 1970 and was not completed until shortly before Welles’ death in 1985. The film was not released until 2018.

The film is a satire of the Hollywood film industry and tells the story of an aging film director, played by John Huston, who is trying to make a comeback with a new experimental film. The film was shot in a mockumentary style and features a cast of well-known actors, including Peter Bogdanovich, Susan Strasberg, and Oja Kodar.

The movie had a tumultuous production, plagued by financial difficulties and legal issues. The film was shot over several years with a variety of different investors and the footage was locked in a legal dispute for decades after Welles’ death.

Despite being unfinished and unreleased for many years, The Other Side of the Wind is considered a significant work of Welles and is widely available for streaming.

Besides The Other Side of the Wind, is there any other unfinished Orson Welles movie that should be released?

Besides The Other Side of the Wind, there are several other unfinished films by Orson Welles that have been the subject of much interest and speculation. Some of the most notable include:

It’s All True: This was an unfinished film project that Welles worked on during the 1940s. The film was intended to be a documentary about the lives of ordinary people in Brazil and was eventually abandoned due to financial and logistical difficulties.
Don Quixote: Welles worked on this adaptation of the classic novel for many years, filming various versions of it throughout his career. The film was never completed and the footage was eventually lost.
The Deep: This was an adaptation of Charles Williams’ novel Dead Calm that Welles had planned to direct in the 1960s. The film was never made due to financial difficulties.
The Big Brass Ring: This is a political satire that Welles wrote and intended to direct in the 1970s. The film was never completed and the screenplay was eventually adapted into a stage play.

It is worth to mention that most of the unfinished projects of Welles have been reconstructed in a documentary fashion and released as "compilation films" using the available footage and notes, providing an idea of what the original project would have been.

Thanks for your time and insight into the movies of Orson Welles.

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could provide some insight into the film work of Orson Welles. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of American cinema, and his innovative and experimental approach to filmmaking continues to be celebrated today.

If you have any other question feel free to ask.

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