:
Anthony Perkins,
Anthony Perkins,
Jeanne Moreau,
more...
:
Orson Welles,
Orson Welles
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Image Entertainment
: Drama
: 119 min.
: English
see additional details...
|
|
Much of Orson Welles' latter-day reputation as an "unfathomable" genius rests upon his seeming unwillingness to tell a story in clear, precise fashion. Sometimes, as in such films as Touch of Evil, Welles' spotty storytelling skills can be forgiven in the light of the excellent visuals. In other cases, as in his 1962 adaptation of Kafka's The Trial, Welles'style comes across as empty virtuosity, precious and petulant when it should be profound. Anthony Perkins plays Joseph K, a man condemned for an unnamed crime in an unnamed country. Seeking justice, Joseph K is sucked into a labyrinth of bureaucracy (Welles once described the character as being a "little bureaucrat" himself, who deserves to be punished. This is never clearly expressed in the finished film). Along the way, he becomes involved with three women -- Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, Elsa Martinelli -- who in their own individual ways are functions of the System that persecutes him.
While Welles considered The Trial one of his finest films, this enthusiasm is not universally shared; even his most fervent admirers have been known to emerge from a screening of the film with quizzical, disappointed expressions on their faces. On the plus side, Welles and his cinematographer Edmond Richard perform miracles in transforming an abandoned French railway station into the headquarters of a totalitarian, red tape-ridden society. It's also fun to hear Welles' voice emanating from several of the supporting characters (his post-dubbing budget was nil). All in all, however, The Trial never truly works; it is unfair, however, to lay the blame for this entirely on Welles, inasmuch as the 1948 and 1994 attempts to cinematize the original Kafka novel likewise came a cropper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Special Features:
- American preview trailer
- Alternate opening done for U.S. television
Note: A newer DVD of The Trial is available to purchase here.
|
| Orson Welles was correct
by TKelley
January 23, 2007 - 1:56 PM PST
|
|
It is his finest film. Unfortunately, the synopsis reviewer has no business reviewing difficult films like this if he thinks "All in all, however, The Trial never truly works"
|
| A Lucid Dream
by notrust
November 14, 2006 - 11:32 AM PST
|
|
|
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful
|
Looks a little like a bad play for the first few minutes. Bad delivery of heavy-handed dialog. Motivations of the characters seem strange, and the deserted streets look surreal.
Then, slowly, you begin to figure out that the logic and imagery are lifted right out of dream-state consciousness. Once this adjustment is made, you can relax and quit worrying about why this or that happens.
The movie reminded me quite a bit of "Brazil" (the movie, not the country). I probably enjoyed it about as much.
Apparently Kafka and Welles both had bad run-ins with the court system, judging by the content of the movie, and decided to take out their frustrations artistically. The entire movie seems to be fragments of personal experiences re-lived in a non-logical dream state. Something familiar to all of us who live and dream, but maybe not necessarily the best thing to try to make into a film. A very good effort, though. |
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.52)
82 Votes
add to list 
|
|
|
Your cart
EGregersen
lerani
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.