MovieChat Forums > Le procès (1962) Discussion > Welles Euro-poseur reading of the end cr...

Welles Euro-poseur reading of the end credits

posted 16 years ago by onepotato2
10 replies | jump to latest

The Trial, which I found to be a pretty fascinating experiment, was not a Rosetta Stone pointing the way forward for film in the 60s. That came a few years later with Blow Up, 2001, etc.

One of the more anitquated aspects of The Trial is Welle's affected, self-congratulatory, tone-destroying end credits (delivered via voice-over as those of The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942). Ever the needy Thespian, he delivers them with a phony British accent (slight) and forced genteel elocution, condescending to the audience. It just made me roll my eyes.

Please shut up, and let me consider the movie I just watched, instead of you.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

I appreciated the spoken-word credits also, and I like the fact that Welles didn't force his name into the mix. Compare that with today's credits, which have just become unwieldy.

[–] moiestatz 13 years ago

I did think the end credits were self-congratulatory.

[–] Jamal-Nazreddin 12 years ago

Was not the spoken credits used also in the Bardot/Palance/Lang film called 'Contempt' [?] ?

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] matrix5904 12 years ago

yes i have lost all respect for wells as a film maker after this and kane. Both are sub 3/10.

the end-credits only subtly underline it

[–] Matt345 11 years ago

I'm sure the loss of your respect would have been a blow to him.

I think some people are just strangers to a certain mindset and characer, which meant simply as some kind of wrap-up or personal gesture they interpret in all kinds of threatening or narrow political ways.

[–] rooprect 11 years ago

Orson agrees with you. Watch his interview about filming The Trial on youtube. He mentions, several times, that this was his attempt to make a European film for European audiences. He says it was NOT an American film, since Kafka's story is not an American story but one geared toward cultures that have endured centuries of oppression and political tyranny. At one point he very modestly admits that's probably why The Trial wasn't a hit in the USA but that was never his intention. Anyone who thinks Welles was pretensious should really watch that interview. He is remarkably friendly and colloquial with the students he is addressing, and it instantly put to rest any suspicions I had that he may have been a pompous prima donna.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

will look for it. thx.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.-James Madison

[–] chinaskee-418-613225 10 years ago

Orson Welles' reading of the credits at the end is the way all of his Mercury Theater radio shows ended as well. It's one of his trademarks and I thought it was a great way to end the film.