Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Eyewitness Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 22, 2018

Peter Yates' "Eyewitness" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British label Signal One Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; recorded conversation with the director; exclusive new video interview with composer Stanley Silverman; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The janitor

I will say it right here: William Hurt never fooled me that he could be a janitor. Not only did he look too well-mannered, but there wasn’t a single scene where I did not think that he was a lot more intelligent than he pretended to be. Just to be clear, I am not trying to imply that janitors cannot be intelligent people, it is just that in this film the characters that are on a mission to outmaneuver and crush Hurt’s character do not look as bright as he does. I found this incredibly distracting.

Daryl Deaver (Hurt) makes ends meet as a janitor in a big Manhattan building. One night, after he finishes emptying the trash cans, he discovers the cold body of an obnoxious Vietnamese businessman who has recently had an argument with his co-worker and friend Aldo (James Woods). Daryl phones the police and when later on the news networks dispatch their reporters to the crime scene approaches the beautiful reporter Tony Sokolow (Sigourney Weaver) and instantly confesses to her that for years he has had a crush on her. He also mentions that he might have seen something important that could help her figure out why the businessman was murdered, which is why she agrees to see him again. Their second meeting quickly evolves into an improvised date and by the end of it Daryl and Tony realize that there could be some potential for a serious relationship. Meanwhile, Tony’s very close friend Joseph (Christopher Plummer), who is one of the key figures in an philanthropic organization that helps Jews from the Soviet Bloc find freedom abroad, becomes very concerned about her relationship with Daryl and asks her parents to intervene and convince her that she deserves much better. Daryl’s pal Aldo also goes on offensive and while hiding from some shady bookies does his best to convince him that he ought to marry his sister so that they could become family and possibly even start a business together. While the two consider their options, someone attempts to murder Daryl.

In many of Peter Yates’ best films the action typically functions as a facade that hides a multilayered story with a wide range of interesting observations. In Eyewitness, the romantic relationship between Daryl and Tony was apparently meant to be the facade, but what emerges after the police begins investigating the murder of the businessman is an odd mosaic of subplots that produce only some random messages about the masks that successful and powerful people wear as well as some of the ways in which they can be recognized.

The buildup of the tension is also incredibly underwhelming. From time to time it seems like Yates is ready to ramp up things, but instead of choosing a clear direction the film keeps stumbling in some truly baffling ways that make it look almost unbearably unfocused.

I mentioned earlier that Hurt was not the right actor to play the janitor and I have similar feelings about Morgan Freeman and his pipe-smoking detective, though in this case because he is very good but his character seems perfect for an entirely different kind of crime thriller.

Eyewitness Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Peter Yates' Eyewitness arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Signal One Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an older master that was delivered by Twentieth Century Fox. There are large parts of the film that look quite good, but there are also multiple sections where the limitations of the master become very obvious. For example, during a lot of the indoor/darker footage grain becomes quite loose and at times even struggles with noise (see screencapture #17). Black crush routinely sneaks in as well, though it very rarely becomes distracting. There are a few segments, however, where light color flicker in the background is prominent. My guess is that on small screen this may not be immediately obvious, but on a larger screen it is impossible not to notice. The good news here is that there are no traces of sharpening adjustments. Color balance and the range of nuances are also mostly pleasing. Image stability is good. There are no distracting debris, damage marks, or torn frames to report. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Eyewitness Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is stable and nicely rounded. Depth is pleasing and there is a proper range of nuanced dynamics. It is possible that here is room for some minor optimizations in the high-frequencies/background stability, but there are no distortions or other serious anomalies to report.

Eyewitness Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original U.S. trailer for Eyewitness. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• TV Spot - original TV Spot for Eyewitness. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Viewing Notes - in this brand new video interview, composer Stanley Silverman discusses his background and love for classical music, his transition to the film business, his professional relationship with Peter Yates, and the soundtrack of Eyewitness and the specific qualities that were channeled through it as well as the film's final sound design. The interview was conducted exclusively for Signal One Entertainment in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• The Janitor (VHS) - presented here is an old transfer from a VHS copy of the film, which was distributed in the United Kingdom under the alternate title The Janitor. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (103 min).

• Peter Yates in Conversation with Quentin Faulk (1996) - in this archival filmed conversation, director Peter Yates discusses the filming of Bullitt, the types of projects that he is attracted to, working with big stars and some of the challenges that directors face while doing so, his work as a producer, etc. In English, not subtitled. (78 min).

• Peter Yates in Conversation with Derek Malcolm (1982) - in this recorded audio conversation, director Peter Yates recalls what it was like working with Steve McQueen, some of the main differences between making films in America and in Europe, the tax situation at the time and its pros and cons for film production in England, the conception of The Dresser, the promotion of Eyewitness as well as its retitling to The Janitor, the relationship between a director and a cameraman, etc.In English, not subtitled. (97 min).

• Audio Commentary - this audio commentary features producer/director Peter Yates and moderator Marcus Hearn. It was also included on the old DVD release of Eyewitness that Starz/Anchor Bay produced.

Eyewitness Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I found this film to be quite disappointing. It has a great cast and at least initially it seems like it has a clear idea where it wants to go and how to get there, but it very quickly loses steam and at the end produces just a few random messages about the ways people learn to play roles that allow them to pursue their goals. Maybe it could have been much better as a straightforward thriller, but I doubt it because I also did not think that William Hurt was the right actor to play the janitor. Signal One Entertainment's recent release is sourced from an older and somewhat inconsistent master that was prepared by Twentieth Century Fox, and offers a good selection of bonus features.