The Trial (1962)

7.6Not Rated118 minDirector: Orson Welles

1962 film by Orson Welles

The Trial (French: Le Procès) is a 1962 drama film written and directed by Orson Welles, based on the 1925 posthumously published novel of the same name by Franz Kafka. Welles stated immediately after completing the film: "The Trial is the best film I have ever made". The film begins with Welles narrating Kafka's parable "Before the Law" to pinscreen scenes created by the artists Alexandre Alexeieff and Claire Parker.

Anthony Perkins stars as Josef K., a bureaucrat who is accused of a never-specified crime, and Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider and Elsa Martinelli play women who become involved in various ways in Josef's trial and life. Welles plays the Advocate, Josef's lawyer and the film's principal antagonist.

The Trial has grown in reputation over the years, and some critics, including Roger Ebert, have called it a masterpiece. It is often praised for its scenic design and cinematography, the latter of which includes disorienting camera angles and unconventional use of focus.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Trial about?
The Trial (1962) — Josef K wakes up in the morning and finds the police in his room. They tell him that he is on trial but nobody tells him what he is accused of. In order to find out about the reason of this accusation and to protest his innocence, he tries to look behind the facade of the judicia
Is The Trial based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Trial scary?
Content rating: Not Rated. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is The Trial (1962) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex