'Witness' - Peter Weir
English Essay – ‘Witness’ by Peter Weir
The 1985 film witness, directed by Peter Weir is a crime/drama that develops the theme of conflict on a social, cultural and personal level. These areas of conflict are highlighted through the use of film techniques such as; camera shots, camera angles, lighting and costume. The film outlines the contrast between mainstream American society and the Amish community in regional Pennsylvania. While American society is seen as a violent and arrogant group of people, whereas the Amish are seen to be a peaceful, religious group of people. In this film the Amish perceive the mainstream American society to be called the ‘English’. The reason for this is the Amish originated in England so they believe that anyone else outside their culture is called the ‘English’, who if come into contact with Amish culture, will bring fear, violence and terror.
The opening scene depicts the peaceful, calm surroundings of the Amish while the funeral of Rachel’s husband is being conducted. This is most apparent in the scene where a slow panning shot is used to portray the wheat as being of a soft velvety appearance as it is blown in the wind, which highlights the world of harmony of the Amish. The funeral allows for the relationship between John Book and Rachel to develop which later creates the personal conflicts, because of Book’s mainstream American culture clashing with Rachel’s Amish religious beliefs and customs.
The journey of Rachel and Samuel Lapp to Boston to visit Rachel’s sister becomes quite an experience because Samuel is yet to witness the outside world and events that may occur. The low angle shot of the train roaring over us suggests the excitement and action that awaits in the city. The director introduces Samuel’s naivety as we see a close-up shot of Samuel waving at a balloon in the distance which shows his innocent nature. The director adds the idea of the modern American train travelling at fast speeds in comparison to
The 1985 film witness, directed by Peter Weir is a crime/drama that develops the theme of conflict on a social, cultural and personal level. These areas of conflict are highlighted through the use of film techniques such as; camera shots, camera angles, lighting and costume. The film outlines the contrast between mainstream American society and the Amish community in regional Pennsylvania. While American society is seen as a violent and arrogant group of people, whereas the Amish are seen to be a peaceful, religious group of people. In this film the Amish perceive the mainstream American society to be called the ‘English’. The reason for this is the Amish originated in England so they believe that anyone else outside their culture is called the ‘English’, who if come into contact with Amish culture, will bring fear, violence and terror.
The opening scene depicts the peaceful, calm surroundings of the Amish while the funeral of Rachel’s husband is being conducted. This is most apparent in the scene where a slow panning shot is used to portray the wheat as being of a soft velvety appearance as it is blown in the wind, which highlights the world of harmony of the Amish. The funeral allows for the relationship between John Book and Rachel to develop which later creates the personal conflicts, because of Book’s mainstream American culture clashing with Rachel’s Amish religious beliefs and customs.
The journey of Rachel and Samuel Lapp to Boston to visit Rachel’s sister becomes quite an experience because Samuel is yet to witness the outside world and events that may occur. The low angle shot of the train roaring over us suggests the excitement and action that awaits in the city. The director introduces Samuel’s naivety as we see a close-up shot of Samuel waving at a balloon in the distance which shows his innocent nature. The director adds the idea of the modern American train travelling at fast speeds in comparison to