Peter Weir & Rasquo's 'Top Film'

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Witness essay Peter Weir’s film Witness has several distinctive features that makes it a ‘Top Film.’ It satisfies the audience as it explores the notion of good overcoming evil. This is achieved through the film’s narrative, a classical three-act structure based on the archetypal hero’s journey. The film’s exploration of themes and issues, such as the clash of cultures, innocence and corruption, and community versus individuality, allow the audience to learn about a different culture and question the existing violence in the modern Westernised world. Using symbolism assists in supporting the plot, character development and themes. Witness should be included in the ‘Top Films’ list as it satisfies…show more content…
The first is the Departure, in which Book leaves his common-day abode, as his duty to protect Samuel and himself from the corrupt police force takes him to the threshold of adventure, seeking the Amish people’s protection and living amongst them. The second stage is the Initiation, which are the struggles faced by the hero on his journey through the unfamiliar world, i.e. the Amish community. The tests Book experiences include adapting to the Amish culture and their ways of living. Weir highlights this through costuming, for example, when Book wears Jacob’s (Rachel’s dead husband) clothes. The full shot of Book wearing the ill-fitting clothes, coupled with his uncomfortable facial expression, demonstrates his unsuccessful attempts at being completely accepted in the Amish community. His intruding presence in their community is symbolised by the act of his car knocking into the birdhouse, emphasising the disruption of harmony and peace. His stay with the Amish teacher Book that violence is not the key to solving problems, and competes with his rival Daniel for the affections of Rachel. However, his supreme ordeal is defeating the enemy, which he successfully accomplishes at the end, as shown by the close up shot the group of…show more content…
The clash of cultures is a dominant theme and is explored in various ways. One way is through the contrast of setting. For example, the panning shot of the countryside, depicting Amish farmhouses and barns coupled with the free flowing music, depicts a peaceful agrarian community. This contrasts with the busy American city, with shops, modern style buildings and cars suggesting a highly industrialised society. The open skies of the Amish countryside further emphasises the community’s freedom and sense of tranquillity. This contrasts with the dark enclosed space of the car park, reinforcing the modern Westernised world’s insecurity and sense of entrapment. Furthermore, the mis en scene where the little girl stares at Samuel from opposite sides of the train station reinforce the feelings of alienation Samuel experiences at being confronted with people of a different
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