Vienna (film)

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Vienna
Vienna film Opening titles (1968).jpg
Directed by Orson Welles
StarringOrson Welles
Arte Johnson
Mickey Rooney
Senta Berger
Original languageEnglish
Production
CinematographyGiorgio Tonti
Running time8 minutes (incomplete)
Original release
Release1968 (1968)

Vienna (also known as Orson Welles' Vienna [1] or Spying in Vienna [2] ) is a 1968 American short film directed and written by Orson Welles. [3] It was originally produced as part of his abandoned CBS television special, Orson's Bag. However, in 1969, with the project close to completion, CBS withdrew their funding over Welles' long-running disputes with US authorities regarding his tax status. The film remained uncompleted. [1] Despite its name, Vienna freely mixes footage shot in Vienna, Zagreb, and a Los Angeles studio. [1] An 8-minute segment was restored by the Munich Film Museum in 1999. [1]

Contents

Plot of restored segment

The film is an eclectic blend of faux-documentary and comical skits. Welles presents a leisurely guided tour of "Vienna," commenting on the city and its inhabitants. [2] He visits the Sacher Hotel, and the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel) at the Prater amusement park, [2] both of which appeared in the 1949 film The Third Man, in which Welles had a starring role. The film concludes with a spy film spoof, as Welles becomes involved in the abduction of "the most beautiful woman in Vienna". [1]

Cast

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McBride, Joseph (2006) What ever happened to Orson Welles?: a portrait of an independent career, University Press of Kentucky, p233-4
  2. 1 2 3 Brigitte Timmermann, The Third Man's Vienna – Celebrating a Film Classic, Shippen Rock Publishing, p271
  3. ↑ "Vienna". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
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