Is 'The Trial' a bit of a trial, or is it just me?

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

I've just tried watching 'The Trial'... Like I said in another post, I'll watch anything with Anthony Hopkins in it... but this movie is so dire I had to switch it off before Hopkins made an appearence.

Its terrible, like a humourless stage play with no reality. Or is it just me?

Has anybody else seen this BBC co-Prod? If so, did you like it or loathe it?

[DB7]

Never seen it. Hopkins tends to leave me cold and I can't say I've enjoyed any of his films for over a decade. The Edge was diverting, tosh, but diverting tosh.

[D Cairns]

I haven't watched all of it. There is already a rather good film of The Trial and this one didn't seem to add anything. The decision to set it in the past when Kafka wrote it seemed a step backwards, and typical of the less imaginative aspects of British cinema.

I'd defend it against the "no reality" charge -- the book is extremely dreamlike, and any film that imposed a sense of social realism on it would be missing the point.

What's odd is that it should seem humourless -- both Kafka and Pinter are pretty funny.

[batman]

Originally Posted by Aaryk Noctivagus I've just tried watching 'The Trial'... Like I said in another post, I'll watch anything with Anthony Hopkins in it... but this movie is so dire I had to switch it off before Hopkins made an appearence.

Watch the Orson Welles version with Anthony Perkins instead ... it may not be a 'classic' but the design and cinematography are fantastic.

Bats.

[Cheeky Bob]

Originally Posted by DB7 Never seen it. Hopkins tends to leave me cold and I can't say I've enjoyed any of his films for over a decade.

You should see The World's Fastest Indian, one of the most pleasant surprises I've had in years.

For some reason (crap poster and generally poor marketing, I suspect) it died on its arse in British cinemas, but it's well worth seeking out - its IMDB ratings speak for themselves.

[Lord Brett]

Originally Posted by Aaryk Noctivagus I've just tried watching 'The Trial'... Like I said in another post, I'll watch anything with Anthony Hopkins in it... but this movie is so dire I had to switch it off before Hopkins made an appearence. Its terrible, like a humourless stage play with no reality. Or is it just me? Has anybody else seen this BBC co-Prod? If so, did you like it or loathe it?

It's one of those I've had on my 'to watch' pile for years, as the DVD was being sold off very cheaply.

I seem to remember that it broke the record for low audience numbers for a new BBC film when first screened on UK TV.

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

Originally Posted by Lord Brett I seem to remember that it broke the record for low audience numbers for a new BBC film when first screened on UK TV.

Oh dear... Low Audience can sometimes mean a stonking good movie that has been poorly marketed (as in 'Willard' starring Crispin Glover), however, 'The Trial' is awful.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Aaryk Noctivagus Oh dear... Low Audience can sometimes mean a stonking good movie that has been poorly marketed (as in 'Willard' starring Crispin Glover), however, 'The Trial' is awful.

It can mean that. But poor audience figures don't guarantee a good film

Steve

[Aaryk Noctivagus]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook It can mean that. But poor audience figures don't guarantee a good film Steve

I know... my point was to point out that poor audience doesn't mean the movie will be bad - I was just being tangental about how I was saying it.

Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that it doesn't guarantee the movie will be good... there are some real gems out there which went nowhere sales-wise.

[Carmel]

The Shawshank redemption was a film that died a death at the cinema's but when it was released for home veiwing it was a great success, so dont always count the cinema as a good way to judge a film.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Aaryk Noctivagus I know... my point was to point out that poor audience doesn't mean the movie will be bad - I was just being tangental about how I was saying it. Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that it doesn't guarantee the movie will be good... there are some real gems out there which went nowhere sales-wise.

All alsations are dogs. But that doesn't mean that all dogs are alsations

Steve

[Ted Holmes]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook All alsations are dogs.

If you ever visit Alsace I advise you to keep your mouth shut!

Ted

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Ted Holmes If you ever visit Alsace I advise you to keep your mouth shut! Ted

That's why I used a lower case 'a'

Steve

[Ted Holmes]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook That's why I used a lower case 'a' Steve

I was waiting for that...

[Lord Brett]

Originally Posted by Ted Holmes I was waiting for that...

We'd better call them German Shepherds to be on the safe side.