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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Citizen Lime
This lavish DVD offers a detailed presentation of a film that in each of its various versions is nearly unwatchable.
It's hard not to suspect that a jealous Welles, who is given credit by some for the look and writing of The Third Man, tried to best the success of that picture by cobbling together scripts from the Harry Lime spin-off radio show and dressing them up in a Kane like framework. And there are some impressive shots and scenes here. But, save for a couple of cameos and Billie Whitlaw's voicing of the ingenue, the movie's also uniformly badly acted. And that includes Welles and particularly the disastrously miscast lead, Michael Arden. Perhaps a version that Welles edited himself may have worked, but I'm dubious as so much of what's here is downright sloppy. For instance, the voice over that opens the film says that the plane found flying empty was the result of a murder, which it isn't. And it makes absolutely no sense that Guy in his life or death position at the start of the film would stop and recount the action thus far to Zouk who is plainly deranged. (We're told that this was an inspiration of Welles on the set and if so it's not a very logical one and makes the charater of Guy seem like a bigger moron than is plausible.) It's also not clear why, if the film was taken away from Welles and edited by others after he'd worked on only the first few scenes, so many of the characters throughout the whole picture are voiced by Welles.
The DVD has good stuff, like MP3s of the Lime radio shows, a chat with the great Simon Callow and a very good dual comentary. Curiously, the most entertaining feature included here is the film's novelization credited to Welles. This version at least provides motivation -- and wit -- for the charter of Van Stratten, as well as some pulpy fun.
All told, Criterion provides a feast for Welles apologists.
Rating: 
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Not Welles best, but by today's standards, very good.
The plot is a bit melodramatic and unlikely. Although there are three versions, the 'comprehensive' version is the only necessary one. The movie has to be viewed as an 'indie' film, rather than a big studio release. Viewed in that light, the production values don't seem bad at all. Still, I'm rathere severe in my judgements of movies, and can only give it a "C"-rating. On the other hand, the extras in this set are so large that I give them a "A", making the whole package a "B". The characters are strongly drawn; the direction and photograhpy are excellent. And the improbabilities (such as Arkadin personally seeing to many distasteful activities) are not at all fatal to the story line. Finally, the outtakes of him actually directing add immensely to this product's value.
Rating: -
Orsen Wells A spy during the WWII
Mr. Arkadin crept into my room late one nite, I could not sleep so I turned on this film and what a delight.( What can you say about a man married to Rita Hayworth)
Orsen Wells was also I a spy during WWII (Some Say Untill much later...)
Maybe, he was experimenting with the family jewels when this film was made.
I love the party scene in Venice and all the shades of gray , I love the texture of black and white, The Tramp, The boat and air travel, The bad dialog.The grainy film stock,
Even the trip to Mexico was entertaining.
The highly conflicted star and the simple and pure daughter that drags that mark right into a mind trap that spands what was then a coldwar globe.
Just the way a coldwar spy flick should be. Harsh flowing textures....
A must see for any coldwar spy freak, This movie is a classic example of coldwar spy flick!
It is much better than 2 am CNN.
Rating: 
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Arkadin - Overlooked Welles Gem
I love this movie. It's not as flash as Kane or as poetic as The Magnificent Ambersons, but it more than makes up for any shortcomings with its high level of entertainment and fun. Hopefully this new collection released by Criterion will set the record straight. As usual Orson was right and the editors who took the film out of his hands butchered it. But the new comprehensive version included in this set is as close as we can get to Orson's wishes, and the film is superb. It's a fun and playful tale, with Welles almost winking at the camera as Arkadin. All the trademark Welles shots are here, including a quite effective shot on a rocking ship on the sea which really gives you a feeling of seasickness. The story might have some holes but you'll be having too much fun to stop and think about it. This is just further evidence of Welles' genius. His body of work is so amazing. Let's cross our fingers that Criterion will be able to supply us with more of Welles' mishandled movies like "Chime at Midnight" and "The Stranger".
Rating: 
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Itz about DVD not movie
The quality of the DVD is so horrible... The picture is not even clear in many parts... I couldnt' watch it... Dont' waste your money on this DVD.. Buy another version of this movie...
