The Immortal Story
- Jeanne Moreau Virginie Ducrot
- Orson Welles: Charles Clay, a wealthy merchant
- Roger Coggio: Elishama Levinsky, Clays Secretary
- Norman Eshley: Paul, a sailor
- Fernando Rey: A merchant
Moment of Truth ( Original title: Une histoire immortelle, English The Immortal Story) is a French television play by American director and actor Orson Welles in 1967 and he and Jeanne Moreau in the lead roles. The script was written by the director along with Louise de Vilmorin. It is based on the story The immortal story of the Danish writer Karen Blixen. Aired for the first time the film on May 24, 1968 French television. In the Federal Republic of Germany could see the strip from August 9, 1968 at the movies.
Action
From the semi-darkness of the image of the old, childless, immensely rich and despotic merchant Charles Clay from Macao appears who learns the story towards the end of his life, which is passed by all sailors on each ship, namely that an old, childless, immeasurably richer Kaufmann one evening addresses a young sailor from his coach out and offers him five guineas that he father a son with the merchant's young, beautiful woman. The sailor fulfills the request.
Elishama Levinsky, the Jewish Secretary of the real merchant, now reveals that the story never happened. She was just a legend, a symbol unrealizable desires. The merchant then decides to make it happen the story so that at least one sailor can tell how it has really happened. The merchant instructed his secretary to arrange everything. The Secretary does so, and the story takes its course. But gray as the morning, says the sailor at parting, that he would what he had seen that night never keep telling; because no one would believe him.
Criticism
" Pessimistic variation of the central motifs of " Citizen Kane ": the hunt for happiness and power as a process of self-destruction; what is questionable and at the same time fascinating an existence that is realized in egocentric display of power. An introspective later work of Orson Welles, dominated by the personality of the director and lead actor. "
" In a behavior - poetic style with hidden colors Orson Welles created his best film since his debut " Citizen Kane. " As of 16 highly recommended. "