Twentieth Century editing

Orson Welles (USA)

Citizen Kane (1941)

This is often voted top film of all time by critics and those in the industry. For example,  the list produced by the British Film Institute and published in the magazine we take in the library 'Sight and Sound'.  With a background in the theatre and a public profile after radio plays such as 'The War of the Worlds', Welles used imaginative techniques such as dissolves and lighting tricks and experimented with cameras in this film which is about a media mogul. The much discussed final line 'Rosebud' is mythic in the film world. What was 'Rosebud'?

In this clip Orson Welles discusses editing. Use quotes in your essay.

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
Touch of Evil (1958)


It is worth also looking at a classic film by the director Carol Reed which stars Orson Welles.

The Third Man (1949)

Here is the trailer for the restored 4K version

The editing, lighting and use of the camera are interesting for us to study.

The editing, lighting and use of the camera are interesting for us to study.

Analyse the following clip...

Another award winning director Peter Bogdanovich discusses The Third Man.

Walter Murch

Here Murch explains his six rules for effective editing. Reflect upon them in your blog.

De-construct this opening sequence in terms of editing.