Among the celebrated library of his directed films, the late Orson Welles had a favorite – “Chimes at Midnight.”
Built around a theme of betrayed friendships and based on several Shakespearean plays, the film is about Sir John Falstaff and his companions at the end of King Henry IV’s reign and their angst at witnessing Merry Old England enter the modern age. He shot it in 1964 and 1965 in Spain and debuted it at the Cannes Film Festival in 1966. While the shadow of “Citizen Kane” looms large whenever the public thinks of Welles, he held “Chimes” in his highest regard. As he told the BBC in 1982: “If I wanted to get into heaven on the basis of one movie, that’s the one I would offer up.”
The film has now been given a modern restoration thanks to Michael Dawson, a 1978 graduate of Southern Illinois University in film production, film history, theory, and criticism. He’s been in the motion picture industry for nearly half a century and is currently the manager of Cinedustrial Group.
Dawson produced a 6K scan from the original master film negative he acquired from the estate of Harry Saltzman, the executive producer of “Chimes.” The restoration was produced in partnership with Saltzman’s widow. The scanning work was done in Chicago while sound remastering was done with a company near Atlanta, Georgia.
Dawson says he’s not one to shy away from digitizing film negatives. Previous 35mm copies of the movie have resulted in faded and off-synch versions of “Chimes.”
“The advancements in digital technology applied to film restoration have been enormous and in just a short period of time,” Dawson said. “Having the Harry Saltzman original…to work from allows us to show what the 6K scanning technology is capable of for restorations.”
“Chimes” is the second Orson Welles film Dawson has restored. In 1992, he worked with Welles’ daughter, Beatrice, to restore “Othello.”
Michael Dawson (Photo by Caleb Hale)
A Student of Cinema
Dawson developed a passion for film as a student at Napierville Central High. He would often venture into Chicago to see a variety of movies. He learned about SIU from a friend. Once on campus, he quickly realized it was the place to pursue his interests.
He spent hours studying the works of directors, like Welles and Stanley Kubrick, who became significant influences. He shot short films, documentaries, and music videos for bands Big Twist and Mellow Fellows. His senior thesis studied Kubrick and his relation to auteur theory.
“Basically, I just think SIU helped me experiment,” Dawson said. “My experience in Carbondale was none other than excellent. It was a wonderful experience, and my thoughts about it are warm, to say the least.”
In 1983, Dawson became the president of Intermission Productions Ltd. He stayed until 2005, when he left for his current job at Cinedustrial. He’s produced several commercials, documentaries, and music videos during his career. In addition, he’s produced several documentaries about Orson Welles and participated in restoring some of Kubrick’s films in the late 2000s.
"Basically, I just think SIU helped me experiment. My experience in Carbondale was none other than excellent. It was wonderful, and my thoughts about it are warm, to say the least."
Michael Dawson '78
The Art and Business of Filmmaking
Cinema is art, but it’s also business. Dawson says if he could impart any wisdom to students of filmmaking today, it would be for them to gain the knowledge and grit to pursue both.
“There’s a business aspect. You have to raise the money and hang in there to sell your vision,” he said.
Hollywood isn’t exactly keen on risks these days, as resources tighten and movie budgets bloat. There’s an art to selling ideas, Dawson says, and students need to learn it if they’re going to survive, let alone thrive, in the current motion picture industry.
'Chimes at Midnight' Fundraiser Screening for College of Arts and Media is October 25
Michael Dawson and the SIU College of Arts and Media are set to host a screening of the restored "Chimes at Midnight" on Friday, October 25 at The Varsity Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
Admission is $15 for the general public and $7 for students. Proceeds will help raise funds for scholarships in the College of Arts and Media.
- 6 p.m. - Light appetizers and cash bar
- 7 p.m. - Film screening
- 9 p.m. - Q&A with Dawson