Behind his charismatic screen presence lies a deeply passionate student of classical filmmaking. When asked over the years to name the films that shaped his cinematic sensibilities, Banderas bypassed standard contemporary choices, citing two legendary features from director Orson Welles as his personal gold standards: The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) and Touch of Evil (1958).
A Cinephile’s Choice: The Genius of ‘The Magnificent Ambersons’
While Welles’ Citizen Kane often dominates critical conversations, Banderas has long held a special reverence for Welles’ follow-up feature, The Magnificent Ambersons. Adapted from Booth Tarkington’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the period drama chronicles the decline of a wealthy Midwestern family amid the rise of the automobile era.
For Banderas, the film’s appeal lies in its tragic narrative scale and groundbreaking technical craftsmanship. Despite infamous studio re-edits inflicted upon Welles’ original cut, the movie features sweeping deep-focus cinematography, intricate tracking shots, and complex sound design that redefined how ensemble dramas could be staged. Banderas has often noted how Welles’ ability to capture the passage of time and the decay of social status inspired his own understanding of dramatic storytelling.
Shadows and Noir: Why ‘Touch of Evil’ Left a Mark
Banderas’ second favorite film choice, the 1958 noir thriller Touch of Evil, highlights his affinity for visual atmosphere and moral ambiguity. Opening with one of the most famous unbroken tracking shots in film history, Welles’ gritty border-town crime story explores police corruption, racial tension, and psychological obsession.
Banderas has frequently admired the film’s bold visual style—marked by extreme low angles, stark high-contrast lighting, and relentless narrative pacing. Playing characters who often navigate the gray areas between heroism and villainy, Banderas absorbed Welles’ masterclass in shadow and moral complexity, applying those early cinematic lessons to his own iconic roles in Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, and Pain and Glory.
On his 66th birthday, Banderas’ choice of favorites serves as a reminder that behind the suave leading man is a director and actor whose artistic heart belongs to classic cinema.