In 1962, Orson Welles decides to bring Franz Kafka's novel to the big screen and does so with - for the time - stunning results. After Joseph K. finds himself charged, summoned and tried for something never explained to him in the hearing, he sets out on a personal quest to find out the truth behind this charade. A suggestive insight to a corrupted judicial system, expansive to at least necessary background aspects of "modern" reality, the story is presented in an abundance of metaphoric exaggerations, the drama comes alive in reference to the real protagonists: the archetypal figures, the depressingly familiar structures, the practices that constitute a rotten justice. Overplayed performances shape the intended world of caricatures, product of Welles' "theatricality" on the direction, the latter also certifying an almost ritualistic pacing even in the climactic second half of the film. Powerful depiction of fragile characters, strong political exposition and sparse use of thought-provoking imagery that still manages to impress, make this 2 hours long drama a tedious necessity for everyone to watch at some point.
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