The Witness
by Péter Bacsó
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DVD details
Actor: Ferenc Kállai, Károly Bicskey, Lajos Öze, Lili Monori, Zoltán FábriDirector: Péter Bacsó
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Subtitled); Hungarian (Original Language)
Format: Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-07
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: 21st Century DreamQuest Films
DVD Reviews of The Witness
DVD 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.
Description of The Witness
Banned for over a decade for its outspoken criticism of the post-WWII communist regime in Hungary, Péter Bacsó?s 'The Witness' has since then achieved unparalleled cult status in its native land. Known as the best satire about communism, 'The Witness' has become a cult classic, which was also well received by critics and general audiences alike when it was finally released outside of Hungary. Its candid and realistic portrayal of the incompetent communist regime has earned great acclaim for both the director and the film itself when it was shown at Cannes Film Festival in 1981.'The Witness' takes place during the height of the Rákosi Era, which was closely modeled after the ruthless and brutal Stalin regime. The film follows the life of an ordinary dike keeper, József Pelikán, who has been caught for illegally slaughtering his pig, Dezső. Instead of doing hard time for his "heinous" crime, Pelikán is elevated into an important position, generally reserved for the communist elite. Of course, Pelikán is utterly clueless about his newfound luck, not to mention his new job. Even his new benefactor, the mysterious Comrade Virág, is reluctant to reveal the real reason behind Pelikán?s preferential treatment. Thus, begins Pelikán?s hilarious adventure deep within the "sophisticated" communist society. One failure after another the incompetent Pelikán is elevated higher and higher on the communist echelon, all the while remaining completely clueless about his promotions. Until one day, when he gets called for to return the "favour" by falsely testifying against his long-time friend in a mock-up show trial.
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