Witness Essay Example for Free

Witness Essay The motion picture witness directed by Peter Weir in 1985 is a uniquely classic film which has no Hollywood cliches and the setting of different worlds help the audience develop ideas. Weir uses the Philadelphia Police Department scene to convey idea of police corruption. Significantly he uses a rare combination of synthesised 1980s soundtrack and a close up of Samuel Lapp. While Samuel Lapp walks about the police station he recognises Mcphees picture in a glass cabinet Samuel stops and stares at Mcphee who is the murderer. It is at this point that the close-up of Samuel staring in prominent the soundtrack of a high pitched synthesised actually gets louder as they full impact of this scene prevails. Weir uses a close up of Samuel to show his shock and dismay as a facial expression,he also combines this with the high pitch Soundtrack to create suspense. The impact on the audience is realisation that the pivotal scene in the film and that the murderer is in fact a policeman. The use of western setting such as a city police station and the concept of police corruption. The fast food scene is used to portray the idea of different worlds. Weir uses the sound effect of the kitchen as the connection to the world that we know and a long shot showing John, Racheal and Sam are eating. John, Racheal and Samuel are sitting at the diner and just about to eat lunch the clash at different worlds is present when John starts to frantically eating the hot dog while Racheal and Samuel go in there habit of praying before eating the sound effects of the cars outside and the sound effects of the kitchen. Weir uses the long shot to show the difference between Books world and Lapps world. The use of the scenery, the soundtrack and the long shot of the table shows the concept of different world and different experiences The barn raising scene has been one of the most famous scene in Hollywood because it shows how Book has moved into a new setting. The panning on the lemonade showing the friendship o the two men that like Racheal it also shows the idea of community acceptance of two men from different areas start areas start to work together. Weir uses the panning technique to show a development on the idea that Daniel and Book would have a long lasting friendship. The setting of the Amish country and the western man (Book) working together as a community which help the audience develop and idea of friendship. During the final scene the bell ringing scene was a significant courageous moment for Samuel this shows he is independent. The long shot of the Amish men coming over the hills to help shows of a close-knit community of the Amish. Weir uses the long shot to show that the neighbours would come and assist them in any in any way. The impact on the audience is the realisation that this is a pivotal scene from the point of view of Samuel because the courage that he possesses to stand up against the evil that is terrorising there house. Weir has intelligently shown Amish setting of the rural farm and the bell tower yard contrasting the frantic western setting out of the fast food diner and the busy police department. These choices of setting helped Weir establish his ideas of police corruption inside the police department and the unity and combined strength within the Amish community