The Merchant of Venice
Synopsis
An unreleased 1969 made-for-TV short adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, produced, directed by, and starring Orson Welles. Originally part of the abandoned CBS special Orson’s Bag, the completed film later became partially lost due to missing workprints and sound elements, surviving only in fragmentary form until a reconstructed restoration premiered in 2015.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
December 1, 1969
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Orson Welles
- Screenplay & Story
- Orson Welles
- Original Score
- Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
- Original Title
- The Merchant of Venice
- Country of Origin
- United States of America, Italy
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 36m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Orson Welles
Orson Welles, William Shakespeare
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
Giorgio Tonti, Tomislav Pinter, Ivica Rajković
Orson Welles
Orson Welles
Department Leadership Roster
Orson Welles
Producer
Orson Welles
Screenplay
Orson Welles
Director
Giorgio Tonti
Director of Photography
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
Original Music Composer
Tomislav Pinter
Director of Photography
Ivica Rajković
Director of Photography
Orson Welles
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Merchant of Venice.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Orson Welles
Complete filmography of Orson Welles.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Merchant of Venice
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Merchant of Venice about?
An unreleased 1969 made-for-TV short adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, produced, directed by, and starring Orson Welles. Originally part of the abandoned CBS special Orson’s Bag, the completed film later became partially lost due to missing workprints and sound elements, surviving only in fragmentary form until a reconstructed restoration premiered in 2015.
Who directed The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice was directed by Orson Welles.
Who stars in The Merchant of Venice?
The principal cast of The Merchant of Venice includes Orson Welles, Charles Gray, Oja Kodar, Jonathan Lynn, Irina Maleeva.
When was The Merchant of Venice released and how long is it?
The Merchant of Venice was released in 1969 with a total runtime of 36m.
Who composed the musical score for The Merchant of Venice?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Merchant of Venice was composed by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino.