It’s been over half a century and through ten presidential administrations since Orson Welles lent his voice to narrate Freedom River. Although the film reflects the era in which it was made, its poignant exploration of themes like immigration, racial dynamics, and economic disparity in America remains strikingly relevant today. In fact, in light of the current political climate with its exploitation of xenophobia, Freedom River possibly echoes even louder today than ever before, making it a timely focus for Open Culture.
The story behind the film’s creation is also worth sharing. According to Joseph Cavella, one of the screenplay writers, involving Orson Welles was no small feat and required both patience and persistent effort.
For a number of years, Bosustow Productions attempted to engage Orson Welles, who was residing in Paris, to narrate one of their projects. They never received a reply. After completing the Freedom River script, they sent it to him along with a portable reel-to-reel tape recorder and a generous check, hoping for the best. It seems the script resonated with him, perhaps on a personal or artistic level, because two weeks later, they received the narration back, perfectly performed, and production was underway.
And with that, they moved forward. Directed by Sam Weiss, Freedom River tells the tale of a once-prosperous nation descending into ugliness. Despite the comforting narratives Americans often tell themselves, this film reveals that underlying ugliness—xenophobia, greed, and racism (among others)—is nothing new. These darker aspects of society often become more visible when demagogues give them license, mirroring current events. Thankfully, Welles’s narration offers hope, a call to citizens to conquer the worst in their leaders.
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Orson Welles Narrates Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner in an Experimental Film Featuring the Art of Gustave Doré
Is It Always Right to Be Right?: Orson Welles Narrates a 1970 Oscar-Winning Animation That Still Speaks Today
Future Shock: Orson Welles Narrates a 1972 Film Addressing the Dangers of Technological Change
An Animation of Orson Welles’ Infamous Frozen Peas Tirade
