Witness Film Analysis

In society today, mentally ill people are often discriminated against and isolated due to their ‘differences’. Many films and documentaries have been produced to address and create an understanding regarding the pain and suffering, felt by those affected by mental illness. Witness, directed by Michael Buckley, a young independent filmmaker, explores the life of the key protagonist, John Harrowell, forced to live the majority of his life within the walls of a mental institution. Through the use of filmic techniques, Buckley captivates and builds a bond between the audience and the key protagonist, inducing sympathy from the viewer.
Buckley evokes viewer sympathy through monologue, expressing the protagonist’s experiences and manipulation in
One camera shot commonly used by Buckley is the “Talking Head”. A talking head is an effective technique which communicates Harrowells life with dramatic effect, what makes this technique so dramatic is the fact that Harrowell stares right at the audience when he confronts us with the abuse he faced inside Sunbury Mental Hospital. This is illustrated when Harrowell states “I was thirteen at the time, and I was scared to dam hell”, this scene is confronting, as the key protagonist stares right into the viewer’s eyes as he states this and a pitch black background lurks behind him, illustrating that it was a dark time in his life. These aspects of this scene forces the viewer to believe the story and creates sympathy within the viewer. In many cases, ‘Talking Head’ is utilized with an image or silhouette in the background, which assists in visualising the memories of Harrowell. This is illustrated when Harrowell states “I was scared to death” and a silhouette of Harrowell as a boy being ‘whipped’ by adults is presented in the background. This technique puts an image to the story and creates a sense of familiarity with the life of Harrowell, as if he were your friend. Through simplistic camera shots, viewers become emotionally invested in the story, thus evoking sympathy for Harrowell and the struggles he faced.
Michael Buckley’s film, Witness, developed in 1984, illustrates life in the unseen world of mental institutions and the abuse concealed within their walls. Through the use and manipulation of techniques such as camera shots, symbolism and monologue Buckley produces a film with a bigger meaning behind it, which endeavours in the journey of spreading awareness concerning the mistreatment inside the walls of mental institutions, creating viewer