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The surreal atmosphere and feel to this film is what makes it, in my opinion. Filmed in large, almost derelict, buildings at times, the atmosphere of the film adds a fitting backdrop to Anthony Perkins, a man who's accused of a crime is never told him.

I was left totally frustrated and angry at the end - and that's exactly what Perkins' character must've been feeling throughout for, no matter how hard he tries to deal with the accusations, he only gets further and further away from a solution.

You'll probably either love or hate it - I hate it in the sense that I won't watch it very often, but I love it because Welles has made the film to be so unique that you 'feel' it rather than 'see' it.

Finally, you've no need to know the plot except that Welles turned Kafka's saved manuscript into an indictment of the legal system.

When all's said and done, the suspense build-up and chase has been done a thousand times over but it seems to work in this movie until the last twenty minutes when I have two gripes. First, the special effects ain't all that special - that's a real let down for a film that has some well shot action scenes prior and decent suspense. Second, the most implausible action finale (which I won't relate so i don't spoil it for anyone). Surely something more probable could have been thought of? Not to mention the contradictory threat which couldn't have occurred. For what began as a decent film, it was a real shame to be let down so badly at the end.