I get the impression that a lot of footage was cut from the final print. And to add to the confusion, during the end titles each character is shown in a scene that is not in the film. There's even a couple that are shown from a different angle.
shareditto - made a separate post saying that the film would have benefited from around 20 minutes more (too much of the plot was just referenced in passing rather than being shown) - funny because usually films have the opposite problem.
shareYes, the technique of of showing a portrait of each character with his or her name was used at the beginning, rather than the usual plot development and methods of introducing characters and allowing the viewer to get to know them. That, coupled with a lot of fast talking and stage whispering resulted in a film that was at times difficult to follow.
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