The Witness

  • 1978
  • Not Rated
  • 90m
movieMx RATING
6.8/1026
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Witness Review

Last updated: February 4, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 4, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Witness (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Witness features a noteworthy lineup led by Alberto Sordi . Supported by the likes of Philippe Noiret and Roland Dubillard , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Witness (1978) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Witness stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Witness

Quick Plot Summary: The Witness is a Crime, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Witness

Ending Breakdown: The Witness concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Witness reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Witness Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Witness incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Witness adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Witness?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment
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Top Cast: The Witness

All Cast & Crew →
Alberto Sordi
Alberto SordiAntonio Berti
Philippe Noiret
Philippe NoiretRobert Maurisson
Roland Dubillard
Roland DubillardCommissaire Guérin
Gisèle Préville
Gisèle PrévilleLouise Maurisson
Paul Crauchet
Paul CrauchetCathy's father
Sandra Dobrigna
Sandra DobrignaCathy Massys
Gérard Hoffmann
Gérard HoffmannL'inspecteur Henri Marquet
Madeleine Colin
Madeleine ColinMademoiselle Valentine
Paul Müller
Paul MüllerLe beau-frère de Maurisson
Dany Bernard
Dany BernardUn chasseur
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Where to Watch The Witness Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Witness Parents Guide & Age Rating

1978 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Witness age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Witness has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Crime, Drama), it contains mature themes, violence.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Witness is 90 minutes (1h 30m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Witness is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Witness. Rating: 6.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Witness worth watching?

The Witness is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Witness parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Witness identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Witness?

The total duration of The Witness is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.

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How The Witness Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Witness

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.8
The Witness
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-witness-81198" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.8</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Witness</div></div></a>

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