Black Magic surprises on many levels. For a non-Hollywood film, it's suprisingly well produced. You have Welles, who, except for the louder moments of Citizen Kane, usually underplays, being big and bold and involved. He struggled with his weight, and here he is thin, wears tights, and engages in an extended Errol Flynn-like final swordfight. Some have noted here that those who want to extend Welles' body of directorial works include this film, even though Gregory Ratoff is credited as director. I recall that Welles said that he could have taken an associate producer credit on this film. But the final duel and fall does evoke memories of Welles' The Stranger and another film that Welles starred in and is said to have co-directed, Journey Into Fear.
Review of Black Magic
