The Witness

General Information

Original Title
A tanú
Author/Creator
Bacsó, Péter, director.
Language
Hungarian.
Subtitles
English
Published
Hungary : Stúdió 1, 1969.
Physical Description
DVD-ROM (103 min.)
Digital ver. identifier
HU_OSA_00003246

Contents/Summary

Summary
Banned for over a decade for its outspoken criticism of the post-WWII communist regime in Hungary, Péter Bacsó’s film has since then achieved unparalleled cult status. The Witness takes place during the height of the Rákosi Era in Hungary and follows the life of an ordinary dike keeper, József Pelikán, who is caught illegally slaughtering his pig, Dezsõ. 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 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.

Subjects

Genre
Fiction films

Bibliographic Information

Title Translation
The Witness

Holdings

Item Type Current Location Call Number Status Shelving Location Public Note
DVD-ROMOSA Film LibraryFL Record 1618Available--
Digital filmOSA Film LibraryFL Record 1618
(HU_OSA_00003246.mp4)
AvailableAccess Copy, MP4 format