The Immortal Story (1968)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(559 ratings)

Immortal Story was directed by Orson Welles, who also stars as a fabulously wealthy, but bitter and dictatorial, European merchant. Soured on life, Mr. Clay (Welles) decides to play games with the lives of others. He decides to make the "immortal" legend of a sailor seducing a rich man's wife come… More Immortal Story was directed by Orson Welles, who also stars as a fabulously wealthy, but bitter and dictatorial, European merchant. Soured on life, Mr. Clay (Welles) decides to play games with the lives of others. He decides to make the "immortal" legend of a sailor seducing a rich man's wife come true and even picks the sailor (Roger Coggio) himself. Through Mr. Clay's machinations, the sailor beds a beautiful younger woman (Jeanne Moreau) whom Clay pays to pose as his own wife. There's little more to the story than that, but Welles weaves his short tale with an economy and expertise which proves he hadn't lost his touch by 1969. Based on a story by Isaak Dinesen, The Immortal Story was originally made for French television; it was also the only Orson Welles-directed film to be released in color. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 58 min.
Directed By: Orson Welles
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: May 24, 1968 Wide
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Its sad and bittersweet effects are slowly achieved in brooding, garrulous, overly introspective style, except by Jeanne Moreau.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
It's awkward yet exquisite.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Shot on a smaller scale than Welles' other films, but it has all of Welles' hallmarks, including cavernous shots and startling angles.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A small, quietly beautiful fable which leaves the viewer with a strange sense of loss and sadness.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Though shot for television on a low budget, this is a sumptuous experience.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Masterpiece, rich in visual style.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Always oddly fascinating.
Adrian Danks, Senses of Cinema
This is a film that proceeds like a ritual, adding to a story that engulfs it.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Minor Orson Welles effort, though second-tier Welles is still better than first-tier anyone else.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Cast

Orson Welles
as Mr. Clay
Jeanne Moreau
as Viginie Ducrot
Roger Coggio
as Elishama Levinsky the bookkeeper

Norman Eshley
as Paul the sailor
Fernando Rey
as Merchant

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