The Trial

I recently saw a talk by Welsh director John Williams in Japan about his process for making his Japanese language version of Franz Kafka's seminal novel, The Trial. To start his talk he showed the opening of Orson Welles' 1962 version of The Trial. It was a good introduction to he film, because I read Kafka's novel in college a long time ago and do not really remember the the story so well, and completely forgot about the parable that Welles opens with, Williams mentioned that it is revealed later in the novel, but is effective in Welles' version. The film is certainly one of Welles' greatest triumphs for the visuals alone, however, Anthony Perkins is effective as Joseph K who has to live through the absurd nightmare. Welles imagines the story as a nightmare and adds his own distinctive ending to the film. This film was independently produced by European backers showing what Welles was capable of without studio interference like that he encountered with A Touch of Evil, after which he vowed never to direct with an American studio again. I suppose it is worth mentioning Edmond Richard was the director of Photography in this visual masterpiece. I suppose some of the recognition should also go to the art department for their work on the sets as well. It is undoubtedly one of Welles' greatest films for certain.