The Witness
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Movie Reviews of The Witness
Movie Review: Magnificent comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best comedies of all time. Perhaps someone who did not live in "socialism" might have difficulties to understand the context and this type of humor, but the power of Bacso's mastery is very convincing. Splendid acting, excellent dialogues, self-irony of the main character. Comical view of show trials practiced in the Soviet Union since the '30 and up to late 60's across Eastern Europe. A must view for all film lovers!Movie Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is fantastic. Helps to know a little bit about the political situation depicted, but great acting. I don't know about this dvd edition as I picked up A Tanu in Hungary. Great movie.And even better news from the company Dreamquest:
"Also in 2004 they plan to release Márton Keleti's The Corporal and the Others (1965)" This is definitely my altime favorite Hungarian film. Very funny stuff.
Movie Review: A great little movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this film. To see if you'd be interested, I strongly recommend that you look it up on The Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Only caveat is that English subtitles freeze on my two small portable DVD players and on a LCD/DVD combo TV. Works fine on DVD player/recorder and on my desktop computer, but not on my laptop.
Movie Review: A classic from behind the Iron Curtain
Summary: 5 Stars
Get this movie if you like history or politics and you'd like to understand how a totalitarian (Communist/Fascist) state feels from the inside.
While there are a number of such works, The Witness stands out with its authentic, refreshing humour.
(I cannot reflect on the quality of the DVD, as I gave it away as a gift.)
Movie Review: Witness "The Witness"
Summary: 4 Stars
It has been my experience that throughout history any group of people which have felt oppressed have always turned to comedy to belittle their oppressors. During the communist era in Eastern Europe this was most definitely true and here is a prime example.
Peter Bacso's "The Witness (A Tanu)" is a look at Communist Hungary in which he skewers the party as one which promotes ineptitude. No wonder the film was banned in Hungary for 10 years and wasn't released in America until 1982 depite having been shoot in 1969!
"The Witness" takes places post-WW2 as the Soviets have already invaded the Eastern Bloc. This time in history for Hungary is known as the Rakosi era, which was based on Stalinism.
"The Witness" follows in Basco tradition of political satire, but this particular film, which has earned cult status, must have been deeply personal for Basco. He was a friend of the former Hungarian Prime Minister Imre Nagy, whom by the time this film was made had been killed by the the Soviets. Nagy was put back in power after the Hungarian revolution in 1956 but two years later would be killed.
It was because of his friendship with Nagy, Basco suffered hard times in Hungary. He was banned from making films for four years. So he had his own personal reasons for wanting to attack the force in power.
"The Witness" is about a dike keeper, Jozsef Pelikan (played by popular Hungarian actor Ferenc Kallai, who has even been in a few Bela Tarr films) whose wife has left him with several childern, which he finds he is unable to take care of. So one day he decides to slaughter their pig, in order to provide food for the family. But, this is against the law. The state provides for those who need. Everyone is given equal shares. No one should have more than others. So when the secret police find out about Jozsef activities he is sent to prison. And thus begins this absurd journey.
Fearing he might be imprisoned for years or possibly sentenced to death, Jozsef finds one day he is released from jail, as the higher ups in the Communist party, namely Arpad Virag (Lajos Oze), have taken a liking to him. When released from jail he is put into a high position, only to find himself back in jail after a misunderstanding. In fact, this happens repeatedly! Jozsef is sent to jail only to be released and promoted to a higher and higher position, all the while failing at each endeavor. Here we see the inept nature of the Communist party. And Virag is made out to be a fool too. Whenever Jozsef, in earnest, ask why is he constantly being promoted, Virag's response is always the same "the international situation is intensifying". This, at one time, after the release of this film, became a popular saying in Hungary.
But one day the Communist intentions are made clear. They want Joszef to testify against his friend Zoltan Daniel (Zoltan Fabri), whom the Communist claim is a spy.
The lead up to the trial and the actual trial itself show how no one was safe under the Communist rule. Charges would simply be made up. In one scene we see party leaders go to a writer, who has written Jozsef testimony, they argue over the choice of words and one head official becomes upset when he finds his name is left out!
Kallai's performance is pitch perfect. His every mannerism, his speech, even the way he looks all suggest an innocent newborn baby trapped in a corrupt and confusing world. Because that is ultimately what his character is, an innocent man trying to deal with the world around him.
Basco may not be very well known to American audiences as I don't think many of his films have been distributed here. He certainly is not as well known as Istvan Szabo or Miklos Jansco. Although his 1990 political satire "Stalin's Bride" was released here and opened to generally favorable reviews. Basco hadn't directed many films prior to this one and his co-wroter, Janos Ujhelyi had never written anything before! In fact many of the actors in this film were non-professionals.
Will outside audiences be able to relate to this film? I think so. One doesn't have to be Hungarian or understand the politics of our country to find the humor. We can all relate to the idea of those in power being corrupt. We see it all around us. While that is probably sad, it's also funny. Just like this film.
Bottom-line: Blistering look at the Communist era in Hungary in which the party is seen as inept. Very funny moments and a pitch perfect performance from Kallai.