The Trial (2011): cast, story & where to watch
2011 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 2011, The Trial is a documentary film directed by Gerald Igor Hauzenberger, running about 116 minutes.
What it’s about. At 6am on May 21, 2008, armed police burst into the apartment of Austrian dog trainer and animal-rights activist Sabine Koch, arresting her. After three months in custody, Koch, together with 12 other animal-rights activists, went on trial. They were charged with being members of a criminal organisation and therefore breaching article 273a of the Austrian Penal Code, introduced in the wake of 9/11. The article’s intention is to allow the state to stifle terrorist activity. Years of observation, house searches, and undercover agents – the police left no stone unturned in its bid to prove the animal-rights activists’ guilt. The sobering result: five million Euros worth of investigation, no proof and a great deal of scepticism towards the Austrian justice system – and democracy itself. Filmmaker Igor Hauzenberger captures one of the highest profile cases this alpine republic has ever seen.
Who’s in it. The Trial stars Martin Balluch as himself, Felix Hnat as himself, Sabine Koch as herself and Jürgen Faulmann as himself, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The Trial has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Trial page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Trial tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Trial (2011)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Trial change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Trial worth watching?
- The Trial holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Trial?
- The Trial stars Martin Balluch, Felix Hnat, Sabine Koch, Jürgen Faulmann and Chris Moser.
- When was The Trial released?
- The Trial was released in 2011, with a runtime of about 116 minutes.