The Trial - 1962

Most famous for Citizen Kane it is often forgotten just how many classic films Orson Welles eventually made. And The Trial is one of them. Adapted, for the most part faithfully, from Franz Kafka's novel, The Trial stars Anthony Perkins as Joseph K. the beleagured bank clerk arrested and put on trial for a crime he has no knowledge of, and can find no knowledge of. Sticking closely to Kafka's novel Welles brings the absurdist and insanity inducing story to life through wonderful use of camera movement, placement and framing as well as lighting which echoes the classic film noirs of the 40s. The film begins and continues to feel more and more claustrophobic as Joseph K. futilely attempts to uncover his crime and prove his innocence. As each avenue closes itself off to K. it becomes ever more clear that he is destined to a fate he has no control over.
Perkins is excellent in the central role, all paranoia, fidgety mannerisms which recall the classic performance of Norman Bates two years earlier. Welles himself plays the Advocate with devilish relish and takes it upon himself to retell the biblical story towards the films climax regarding the man sent to a room but stopped by a guard who will not let him pass. The cast is bolstered by a strong female presence in Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider and Elsa Martinelli.
The production of the film arose when Alexander Salkind approached Welles to adapt a story of his choice promising complete artistic control and the film was shot on the abandoned railway station, Gare d'Orsay which Welles used to wonderful effect.
As adaptations go Welles' The Trial is a wonderful film, in many ways superior to Kafka's book as he elevates the film from pure faithful adaptation utilising the qualities and strengths of his art form to bring out the tone and sense of despair from the book in wonderfully visual and engaging way. No image or frame in the film is not stimulating and moving toward the fatalistic ending, and certain stand out locations and scenes such as the Titorelli painter sequence and the final Cathedral scene are so evocative and scary that they achieve so much more than the book does.
Welles made a number of masterpieces following Citizen Kane and The Trial is one of them. Whether a fan of the book or just a lover of great visual sotrytelling, The Trial is a delight to behold.