This volume investigates the creative philosophy, technical methodology, and personal history of Orson Welles through a series of extensive, candid conversations. The book compiles years of recorded dialogues between Welles and director Peter Bogdanovich, meticulously edited by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum to provide a comprehensive look at the filmmaker's career. By framing these discussions within a historical and critical context, the text serves as an authoritative record of Welles's perspective on his own filmography and the broader landscape of 20th-century cinema.

This work is widely regarded as the definitive primary source for understanding the intellectual and practical foundations of Orson Welles's career. The combination of Bogdanovich's intimate questioning and Rosenbaum's rigorous editorial structure provides a dense, essential resource for film scholars and enthusiasts alike.