Around the World with Orson Welles (1955)
Episode 1: The Basque Countries
Orson Welles was hired to direct twenty-six episodes of a series that he'd be given a week to shoot each. As was the case of the majority of Welles' work, things didn't go as planned and in the end only six episodes actually aired with a seventh that went unfinished. If you're familiar with MGM's James Fitzpatrick series TravelTalks then you will pretty much get the idea of this series, although the big reason to watch is for the style of Welles and that wonderful voice.
This first episode is highly entertaining and if the future episodes are as good you can't help but wish this series would have gone on. Welles is seen in front of the camera and he also works as the narrator as we learn about Basque customs with the main focus being on their sports like Jai alai and Herri Kirolak. If you're unfamiliar with either you're going to get a good education and especially on Jai alai, which we see several matches of while Welles tells us the rules, its history as well as showing his style to highlight certain aspects. This first episode is extremely well-made and there's no question that Welles knows how to make you interested in the subject and keep you glued to what's going on. The main attraction was just seeing Welles interact with the locals.
Episode: A
Episode 1: The Basque Countries
Orson Welles was hired to direct twenty-six episodes of a series that he'd be given a week to shoot each. As was the case of the majority of Welles' work, things didn't go as planned and in the end only six episodes actually aired with a seventh that went unfinished. If you're familiar with MGM's James Fitzpatrick series TravelTalks then you will pretty much get the idea of this series, although the big reason to watch is for the style of Welles and that wonderful voice.
This first episode is highly entertaining and if the future episodes are as good you can't help but wish this series would have gone on. Welles is seen in front of the camera and he also works as the narrator as we learn about Basque customs with the main focus being on their sports like Jai alai and Herri Kirolak. If you're unfamiliar with either you're going to get a good education and especially on Jai alai, which we see several matches of while Welles tells us the rules, its history as well as showing his style to highlight certain aspects. This first episode is extremely well-made and there's no question that Welles knows how to make you interested in the subject and keep you glued to what's going on. The main attraction was just seeing Welles interact with the locals.
Episode: A
