Orson Welles
Film director · 12 films (1941–2018)
Orson Welles is a director whose work here spans Citizen Kane (1941) to The Other Side of the Wind (2018), across drama and mystery. 2 of those films were photographed by Russell Metty. All 710 frames from 12 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
George Orson Welles was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio. Noted for his innovative dramatic productions as well as his distinctive voice and personality, Welles is widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished dramatic artists of the twentieth century, especially for his significant and influential early work—despite his notoriously contentious relationship with Hollywood.
Born 6 May 1915 · Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA · died 10 October 1985
Directing style
Welles constructs tense, ominous dramas primarily in high-contrast black-and-white, favoring shadowy interior night scenes lit by practical fixtures and windows. He blocks his subjects at eye-level or steep low-angles, alternating between medium shots and closeups that shift dynamically between deep focus and shallow depth of field. The resulting palette is anchored in deep blacks and muted grays, occasionally punctuated by cool, desaturated tones and warm, earthy accents.
Awards
- Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 1942
- Palme d'Or · 1952
- Golden Lion · 1970
- Commander of the Legion of Honour · 1982
- AFI Life Achievement Award · 1975
- honorary doctorate from the University of Paris-VII · 1974
- Academy Honorary Award · 1970
- National Board of Review Award for Best Film
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Films directed by Orson Welles
About Orson Welles
When was Orson Welles born?
Orson Welles was born on 6 May 1915 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA and died on 10 October 1985.
What films has Orson Welles directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 12 of them: Citizen Kane (1941), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Stranger (1946), The Lady from Shanghai (1947), Othello (1952), Mr. Arkadin (1955), Touch of Evil (1958) and The Trial (1962) and more.
What awards has Orson Welles won?
Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (1942), Palme d'Or (1952), Golden Lion (1970) and Commander of the Legion of Honour (1982).
Search every frame of Orson Welles’s films
All 710 indexed frames from 12 films directed by Orson Welles — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.