Filming 'The Trial'

I'm not sure if Orson Welles meant for this film to be more like the 'Filming of Othello' that he made in the late 1970's, which featured almost all footage of the director talking about the process of making the film to no one in particular but the camera and footage. But it should be noted that this is a different sort of project (you can find it on Youtube, albeit it says it's "unedited", which may be the best we can get). It's presented far as I could see more like when Fritz Lang was interviewed by William Friedkin - it's a question and answer session shot on film, which means that every ten minutes (give or take a few seconds) the reels of film and sound have to be changed. So there are some breaks at times that can be a little jarring, especially in this case as a person may be asking a question, or Welles is answering it, and it's cut off.

But really, for the substance, this is a must watch for Welles fans and admirers of the Trial should check out. He's witty and serious, deadpan and charming, a raconteur and a straight-shooter. For a man who may be only known to some audiences today, unfortunately, for his outtakes of wine and frozen peas commercials, or for his problems with the studios and in taking quick projects to finance his (not all finished) independent productions, he's rather down to Earth and humble about his work. He is an artist and he lets you know it, but there's never a trace of there being much ego, and can even be self deprecating here and there, though about the Trial it's clear he is happy with the finished product (though, again his humble-ness and as with Othello, he says it's up to the critics to decide whether it's good or not).

There's stories about the casting, Perkins and his 'gay' characterization by critics, how the Salkinds (who later did Superman) got involved, and he can get into discussions about craft with clarity and decidedness. Kafka, of course, comes up quite a bit, as well as his style and what he thinks of 'Escapist' movies (oh if only he could see it today). The range of questions is fair for a Q&A - they range from thoughtful to surprising to a little long-winded and crazy (about him being constantly against corporations, that one gets lost), but Welles always manages to answer best he can, and he's having a good time with a frank and honest and sobering discussion about what it means to make a movie in all its terms. The filming conditions aren't totally ideal - the cuts make a good argument for why video is necessary for such LONG Q&A's, there's no need for artistry in such a setting on Gary Graver's part - but no matter.

Welles holds court, and is about the most interesting watch you can get with a master of the American (and world) cinema.

Filming 'The Trial' (1981)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

This "documentary" is actually a Q&A session that was done with Orson Welles after a screening of THE TRIAL at USC. Film students get the terrific opportunity to ask Welles about the movie and hear his thoughts on a wide range of subjects.

You know, getting to hear a master like Welles talk about his film in so many details is something truly great to hear. At the same time, it's kind of sad to see him having to make movies like this because he couldn't getting funding for the projects he would have wanted to do. Which is kind of funny because one person asks Welles about his various unreleased projects like THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND (still not fully completed as I write this) and DON QUIXOTE (partially completed with controversy).

As far as FILMING 'THE TRIAL' goes, this is certainly a must-see if you're a fan of the film or of Welles because he gets to talk about some interesting subjects including funding for movies, various decisions that he made in regards to the look and style of THE TRIAL and he even talks about the negative reviews Anthony Perkins got and why he blames himself for it.

There are some annoying moments in the film including questions having to be asked several times because Welles can't hear them. The film is certainly rather raw as there's just a camera in the crowd that goes back and forth between the people and Welles. Still, it's a master getting to talk about movies and as we know Welles was one of the most amusing and entertaining people to listen to.