Film Lens
Filming 'The Trial' is an unfinished documentary by Orson Welles that focuses on the production of his 1962 film The Trial. The film was conceived after Welles' experience directing Filming Othello in 1978, which featured a monologue reflecting on his earlier adaptation of Othello. Welles intended to create a similar documentary about The Trial, capturing insights and reflections on the filmmaking process.
In 1981, Welles held a 90-minute Q&A session at the University of Southern California after a screening of The Trial. His cinematographer, Gary Graver, filmed this session with plans to edit it into the documentary. Although the footage was never edited by Welles during his lifetime, it was later utilized by BBC journalist Leslie Megahy in a 1982 documentary about Welles. After Welles' death, the footage was preserved and restored by the Munich Film Museum, leading to an 82-minute cut released in 2023.
Why Watch
- •Watch Welles discuss The Trial's production.
- •See insights from successful filmmakers in the audience.
- •Find out about Welles' thoughts on being persecuted.
Did You Know
•Orson Welles directed Filming Othello in 1978 before this project.
•The Q&A session in 1981 lasted 90 minutes and included noted filmmakers.
•The final cut of the Q&A session is 82 minutes long.
•The restored footage was released on home media in 2023.
Perfect For
Orson Welles fansFilm history enthusiastsDocumentary lovers