An elusive billionaire hires an American smuggler to investigate his past, leading to a dizzying descent into a cold-war European landscape.An elusive billionaire hires an American smuggler to investigate his past, leading to a dizzying descent into a cold-war European landscape.An elusive billionaire hires an American smuggler to investigate his past, leading to a dizzying descent into a cold-war European landscape.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Oscar
- (as O'Brady)
- Woman in Apartment
- (as Tamara Shane)
- Secretary
- (as Terence Langdon)
- Parisian Woman with Bread
- (as Annabel)
- First Munich Policeman
- (as Gert Frobe)
- Second Munich Policeman
- (as Eduard Linker)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaUntil recently, the version in possession of Corinth Films was generally regarded closest to Orson Welles' cut. In April of 2006, the Criterion Collection released a comprehensive three-DVD set of this movie, featuring three versions: the "Corinth" version, "Confidential Report" (the European cut), and the newly edited "Comprehensive" version. Each version contains a few shots or lines that are missing from the other two. Because this movie was taken out of Welles' control in post-production, it will never be known exactly what he had in mind for the complex flashback structure of which he spoke later in his life. "The Comprehensive Version", which airs on Turner Classic Movies, runs one hour 47 minutes.
- GoofsOrson Welles' prosthetic nose disappears when Arkadin meets with Jakob Zouk.
- Quotes
Gregory Arkadin: And now I'm going to tell you about a scorpion. This scorpion wanted to cross a river, so he asked the frog to carry him. No, said the frog, no thank you. If I let you on my back you may sting me and the sting of the scorpion is death. Now, where, asked the scorpion, is the logic in that? For scorpions always try to be logical. If I sting you, you will die. I will drown. So, the frog was convinced and allowed the scorpion on his back. But, just in the middle of the river, he felt a terrible pain and realized that, after all, the scorpion had stung him. Logic! Cried the dying frog as he started under, bearing the scorpion down with him. There is no logic in this! I know, said the scorpion, but I can't help it - it's my character. Let's drink to character.
- Alternate versionsThere are five versions of the film, Mr. Arkadin. -There is the public domain version, the one most common in America. After the opening credits, it begins with Van Stratten's narration on the docks. It is told in linear time. -There is the European version, called Confidential Report. It has footage of papier maché bats in the credits, and has some footage not seen in the public domain version. It is told in flashbacks. -There is the version currently in possession of Corinth Films. According to Welles friend Peter Bogdanovich, this version and its first four scenes correspond directly to Orson Welles' intentions. It is told in flashbacks. -There is a Spanish language version that corresponds directly to the Corinth version. However, the roles played by Katina Paxinou and Suzanne Flon are now played by Spanish actresses (Irene López Heredia and Amparo Rivelles). -As of 2005, there is a version being prepared by the Munich Filmmuseum that not only contains footage found in different versions of the film, but also corresponds as closely as possible to the complete intentions of Orson Welles.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Fatale beauté (1994)
- SoundtracksSaeta
Performed by Antoñita Moreno.
This movie is a mess, but it's a fascinating mess. The movie was taken out of Welles' hands in the editing phase and was released in various cuts all over the world over the course of a decade or more. The version I watched was assembled from all of the various versions, and supposedly most closely resembles what Welles wanted. It's still a slightly confusing jumble, but it's entertaining. It's unlike most movies of the mid 50's, with rapid edits, odd camera angles, and the aforementioned narrative structure utilizing flashbacks.
The sound is either mostly or all post-dub, which also adds to the disorienting effect. This movie has a lot of flaws (several shots are out of focus, Welles' fake nose looks terrible), but I found it an intriguing mystery, and I was never quite certain what was coming, which is exceedingly rare these days. Plus, the many brief appearances of classic character actors, such as AkimTamiroff, Katina Paxinou, Mischa Auer, and Michael Redgrave, all playing bizarre and eccentric characters, is amusing.
- AlsExGal
- Dec 30, 2022
- How long is Confidential Report?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Herr Satan persönlich!
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $4,528
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1