Movie review - "The Trial" (1962) **1/2

Like all Orson Welles films this has a devoted cult which is growing in recent years. Few of his films give greater talent of his awesome talent behind the camera - its constantly full of weird and wonderful angles, grotesque faces (who came first, Welles or Fellini?), stunning images.Few of his films give a greater indication of his deficiencies as a screenwriter - the film goes on and on, the hero is nervous from the start (twitchily played as ever by Anthony Perkins), it becomes confusing and repetitive. I'm always nervous admitting I didn't like Welles movies because all the lunatic fans out there, but it can't bedenied, I found this tiresome (having said that, subsequent viewings will probably make it more enjoyable). For all Welles' relationship with old Hollywood - Rita Hayworth, RKO, Hearst, etc - his heart and soul was art house. This is a big budget film with big sets and lots of extras. I just wish it had gone on something else, like Dracula.