The Magnificent Ambersons

Director: Orson Welles
Screenwriters: Booth Tarkington , Orson Welles

Institute History

  • 1986 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Welles’s second film, as baroque as Citizen Kane, but less boastful, charts the gradual decline of a wealthy American family in the face of a changing economy at the beginning of the 20th century. It remains a fascinating period drama, a treat for the eyes (despite weak concluding scenes due to studio interference). Tim Holt stars as the youngest male of this stately family who finally gets his “comeuppance.” “If Flaubert re-read Don Quixote each year, why can’t we see The Magnificent Anbersons whenever possible?”

— Francois Truffaut

Screening Details

  • Section: Orson Welles Remembered, Chimes at Night
  • Film Type: Dramatic Feature
  • Country: U.S.A.
  • Run Time: 88 min.
As you use our Online Archives, please understand that the information presented from Festivals, Labs, and other activities is taken directly from official publications from each year. While this information is limited and doesn't necessarily represent the full list of participants (e.g. actors and crew), it is the list given to us by the main film/play/project contact at the time, based on the space restrictions of our publications. Each entry in the Online Archives is meant as a historical record of a particular film, play, or project at the time of its involvement with Sundance Institute. For this reason, we can only amend an entry if a name is misspelled, or if the entry does not correctly reflect the original publication. If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected]