Overview
A knight's life of revelry and disappointment unfolds in a tale of friendship and folly.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- melancholic
- boisterous
- classic cinema night
- shakespeare study
What critics said
Critics now broadly regard the film as a richly performed and visually powerful Shakespearean adaptation, especially notable for Welles's Falstaff and its unconventional battle sequence, while acknowledging persistent sound and structural issues.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The connected Shakespearean compilation privileges Falstaff's roguish career and relationship with Prince Hal over conventional royal biography.
Welles foregrounds Shakespearean language, expressive bodies, and concentrated staging throughout the tavern, court, and battlefield scenes.
Falstaff's intimate drinking companionship with Prince Hal is placed against Hal's obligations as heir and future king.
The Battle of Shrewsbury is presented through crowded movement, harsh sound, close bodies, and battlefield confusion.
Films like Chimes at Midnight, and why
Henry V
shared Shakespearean adaptation, medieval power politics, tragicomic tone, and theatrical performance style
Othello
shared Orson Welles authorship, black-and-white visual austerity, literary adaptation, and meditation on power
Richard III
shared Shakespearean comedy-drama, generational conflict, political transformation, and richly performative ensemble
The Lion in Winter
shared medieval court intrigue, historical warfare, moral conflict, and ambitious visual staging
Movie Details
- Director
- Orson Welles
- Release Date
- 1965-12-22
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (253)
Cast
- Orson Welles
- Keith Baxter
- John Gielgud
- Jeanne Moreau
- Margaret Rutherford
- Marina Vlady
- Walter Chiari
- Michael Aldridge
- Tony Beckley
- Jeremy Rowe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Chimes at Midnight about?
- Orson Welles turns Shakespeare’s unruly Falstaff into the tragicomic heart of a stark medieval chronicle of friendship, war, and royal succession.
- What is Chimes at Midnight like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Chimes at Midnight as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Chimes at Midnight violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Chimes at Midnight as moderate.
- What did critics think of Chimes at Midnight?
- Critics now broadly regard the film as a richly performed and visually powerful Shakespearean adaptation, especially notable for Welles's Falstaff and its unconventional battle sequence, while acknowledging persistent sound and structural issues.
- Which films are like Chimes at Midnight?
- Films with a similar feel include Henry V, Othello, Richard III, and The Lion in Winter.
- How long is Chimes at Midnight?
- Chimes at Midnight runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Chimes at Midnight?
- In United States, Chimes at Midnight streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
