The Deep (partially found unfinished Orson Welles film; 1966-1969)

A still from the film.

Status: Partially Found

The Deep (aka Dead Reckoning) is an unfinished thriller film written and directed by Orson Welles from 1966 to 1969, based on the novel Dead Calm by Charles Williams. It starred Welles along with Lawrence Harvey, Jeanne Moreau, Oja Kodar and Micheal Bryant. The film was about a newlywed couple on their yacht who encounter a stranded boat and a man aboard who claims to be the only survivor of a tragedy. Upon inspecting the ship, the husband discovers a man living below deck. He then finds that the first man from the boat has kidnapped his wife and fled in his yacht.

Production

Shooting for the film was met with many challenges, including the weather and an early departure for one of the actors. As with most of his personal projects, Welles quickly ran out of money and could only continue shooting as more finances came in. However, as Welles struggled to finish the movie with several large scenes remaining to be shot, lead actor Lawrence Harvey died in 1973, effectively ending any chances of the film being finished.

Availability

The original negative has been lost, and the only thing that exists of the film are two workprints, but neither has seen a public release. Although there are plans to finish the film with intertitles filling in the missing scenes, the only footage that has surfaced so far is a trailer shown in the documentary One-Man Band about Welles' unfinished works.

Gallery

Footage of the film from One-Man Band

See Also

• The Other Side of the Wind (found Orson Welles film; 1969-1976)
• The Merchant of Venice (partially found Orson Welles film; 1969)
• Moby Dick—Rehearsed (lost Orson Welles footage of London stage play performance; 1955)
• The Dreamers (partially found unfinished Orson Welles film; 1980-1982)
• Citizen Kane (partially found colorized footage of drama film; late 1980s)

External Link

• Wikipedia article for the film. Retrieved 31 Mar '19