In 1969, Welles was given a TV commission to film a condensed adaptation of "The Merchant of Venice". Welles completed the film by 1970, but the finished negative was later mysteriously stolen from his Rome production office. A restored and reconstructed version of the film, made by using the original script and composer's notes, premiered at pre-opening ceremonies of the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, alongside "Othello", in 2015.