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  • The Witness (1969)
  • 105 min | Drama, Comedy
The Witness (1969)
105 min | Drama, Comedy

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, '...See moreBanned 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, 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 "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. Written by Zoltan Furedi See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated May 23, 1969

Release date
Sep 26, 1981 (United States)

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Cast

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37 cast members
Name Known for
Ferenc Kállai
Pelikán József, gátõr Pelikán József, gátõr   See fewer
Lajos Öze
Virág Árpád (as Õze Lajos) Virág Árpád (as Õze Lajos)   See fewer
Zoltán Fábri
Dániel Zoltán Dániel Zoltán   See fewer
Béla Both
Bástya elvtárs Bástya elvtárs   See fewer
Georgette Mertzhradt
Potocsni elvtársnõ (beszédtanár; szerep-betanító) (as Georgette Mertzradt) Potocsni elvtársnõ (beszédtanár; szerep-betanító) (as Georgette Mertzradt)   See fewer
Róbert Rátonyi
Operettszínész (as Róbert Ráthonyi) Operettszínész (as Róbert Ráthonyi)   See fewer
Károly Bicskey
Gulyás Elemér (as Károly Bicskei) Gulyás Elemér (as Károly Bicskei)   See fewer
László Vámos
Idegorvos Idegorvos   See fewer
Ida Versényi
Gogolák elvtársnõ Gogolák elvtársnõ   See fewer
Pál Bánó
Bíró Bíró   See fewer
Tibor Fehér
Börtönõr Börtönõr   See fewer
József Iványi
Rendõr Rendõr   See fewer
György Kézdy
Virág testõre (as György Kézdi) Virág testõre (as György Kézdi)   See fewer
Péter Korbuly
Virág testõre Virág testõre   See fewer
Lajos Mezey
Író (as Lajos Mezei) Író (as Lajos Mezei)   See fewer
Steve Nemeth
Actor (as István Németh) Actor (as István Németh)   See fewer
István Novák
Börtönigazgató Börtönigazgató   See fewer
György Pálfi
Actor (as György Pálffy) Actor (as György Pálffy)   See fewer
József Pecsenke
Bástya testõre Bástya testõre   See fewer
Tibor Sipeki
Rendõr Rendõr   See fewer
Lajos Tándor
Jegyszedõ Jegyszedõ   See fewer
Mária Dudás
Gépírónõ Gépírónõ   See fewer
György Györffy
Börtönigazgató Börtönigazgató   See fewer
József Horváth
Vasutas Vasutas   See fewer
József Madaras
Rendõr (voice) Rendõr (voice)   See fewer
Miklós Molnár
Borbély-hóhér Borbély-hóhér   See fewer
Mária Rákosi
A miniszter titkárnõje A miniszter titkárnõje   See fewer
István Velenczei
Minisztériumi alkalmazott Minisztériumi alkalmazott   See fewer
László Baranyi
Bástya testõre (uncredited) Bástya testõre (uncredited)   See fewer
Ildikó Pádua
A miniszter titkárnõje (uncredited) A miniszter titkárnõje (uncredited)   See fewer
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