Orson Welles Arkadin Ita

When Orson Welles went into self-imposed exile in Europe, he first found stardom with The Third Man and then immersed himself in challenging films, television, theatre and bullfighting. Simon Callow trails the complex actor-director.

In 1955, Orson Welles directed and hosted a mini series for British television. He leads us through a few famous places of Europe with his inimitable touch. In Paris he introduces us to famous artists such as Juliette Greco or Jean Cocteau who lived in the Saint Germain Des Pres quarter. In London we meet the Chelsea Pensioners, in Spain we attend a Madrid Bullfight and visit the Basque country (Basque Country 1 and 2). Somewhere between a home movie and a cinematic essay, these short films have been described by French critics as the missing link in Welles' work.

Simon Callow tells the story of actor and director Orson Welles' self-imposed exile in Europe, which saw him star in The Third Man before immersing himself in challenging work on stage and screen - as well as developing a passion for bull-fighting.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles looks at the remarkable genius of Orson Welles on the eve of his centenary - the enigma of his career as a Hollywood star, a Hollywood director (for some a Hollywood failure)