Essay : Witness (film by Peter Weir)

The film, Witness, deals with characters in conflict with the world around them. Discuss the methods Weir uses to convey this idea of conflict. In Peter Weir's film, Witness, several characters come into conflict with their environment. This is evident through the use of various techniques such as symbol, camera angle, and imagery. Samuel's protective life as a child in the Amish community is corrupted when he comes into contact with crime and the city …

…McFee tries to cut off John Book by going around the back of the barn and as he does this, he steps right into a pile of dung. His curses are in sharp contrast to the Pacifist ways of the Amish. McFee is wearing a very smart suit, carefully picked to contrast to the Amish's simple clothes. This difference is exaggerated when he steps in the dung showing just how out of place he is.