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Actors: Brian Dennehy, Aidan Quinn, Stockard Channing, Laura Harrington, Delroy Lindo
ASIN : B0002ERXBI
Sales Rank : 54351
Director : Robert Mandel
Studio : Hbo Home Video
Region Code : 1
Format : Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 9780783130439
ISBN : 0783130430
UPC : 026359038228
Release Date : December 14, 2004
Publisher : Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer : Hbo Home Video
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Hbo Home Video
Running Time : 101
| Restaurant owner Sam Paxton has witnessed a mob hit. Now he's being pressured by the DA to aid the prosecution - and pressured by the mob to lay off. With his wife and child at risk, Sam is trapped - the perfect witness whose time has come to take the stand.
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December 10, 2006.
Cinematic Masterpiece of Whitewater.
Rating: 5
Think Citizen Kane on the river. Solid acting but the whitewater stunts are not the run of the mill Hollywood. Those guys led by Bryan "River Dog" Koelzer, who sat in the middle of the raft without a paddle, really make this movie special. This movie was voted the top 5 whitewater films of all time by Paddler magazine. If you don't own a copy you are will never reach complete enlightenment.
December 16, 2005.
Well-Made Film In All Respects..
Rating: 5
This work relates, speaking in broad terms, a narrative (based upon a true story) of a group of executives that is pressured into taking part in a whitewater raft trip, during which an unfortunate incident occurs. A subsequent lawsuit which addresses the incident completes a good portion of the film. The entire production wants nothing, as all involved perform at a high level. The scenario, by Michael Butler, is stripped neatly to its essence, and immediately engages the viewer with its combination of visceral excitement, suspense, and character development. The direction by the veteran Robert Butler is precise and enhanced by the splendidly balanced casting. Alan Alda gives his finest performance, softly creating a characterization which fascinates as it develops. Among other cast members, Peter Gallagher, Bruce Altman, and Robert Loggia offered nary a flaw in this seamless tale. The scenes immediately leading to, and including, the actual raft trip are enthralling as a test of strength between Alda's character and his companions, a test that reveals varying moral sensibilities. Editing, in a film reflecting issues of larger scope than are commonly seen, provides an important framework; here, a linear structure is created and moves smartly. The cinematography and lighting, under the aegis of Lloyd Ahern II, can be enthusiastically endorsed (with a wide range of scena) as a standard to be envied. The score by Pray For Rain, refreshingly non-DJ, implies applicable emotion neatly and nicely throughout this interesting and beautifully balanced motion picture. An obviously high level of preparation by all involved bring forth one of the finest films of the 90s.
December 27, 2004.
Superior drama with top-notch action sequences.
Rating: 4
Boasting one of Alan Alda's best performances, this HBO made-for-cable film has an intelligent script, strong dialogue, and excellent acting by all cast members. Based on a true incident, the horrific drowning of several members of a corporate sortie to the treacherous Chilko River for white water rafting, the pacing here is flawless. The writer, Michael Butler, and the director, Robert Butler (related?) have fashioned a seamlessly powerful work that hits the viewer right between the eyes.
Alda's character, Dan Cutler, is a callous, ruthless corporate type who, without question, still exists. One of the top honchos at a prestigious ad agency, he is constantly egging on his subordinates to push themselves, to feel life in their gut and their private parts. He organizes the sortie and in essence bullies both ad agency execs and VIPs from two clients into doing the white water rafting which starts off well, then escalates into a terrible set of events.
The rafting footage is absolutely spectacular; tremendous credit should go to the cinematographer here. This makes the story truly believable; you really feel it when things go horribly wrong.
The endpiece, a courtroom trial, is, in a way, tacked on, but still delivers the goods. See this for Alda's amazing performance. One would think after watching this film that Alda actually IS like this in person; his performance is that believable. Peter Gallagher is also excellent, but this is really Alda's show and what a show it is. He is astoundingly good.
Highly recommended.
December 13, 2004.
A Great Movie....Even If You Fell Asleep During It!.
Rating: 4
This movie was really good and I'm glad to hear that someone who actually was involved in the case liked it too. I saw this during my business class and I found that it really related well to the whole "win at all costs" idea as well as a business's ethics. Peter Gallagher and Alan Alda did wonderful jobs and are both very convincing. I also liked how they showed in the beginning the making of a commercial and the brainstorming process of making a commericial. Overall, this movie was great. You might be asking me WHY I fell asleep during it. It was because I literally had a sleepless night!
December 25, 2003.
Unbelievable Whitewater Stunts!!!!.
Rating: 5
The second unit stunt doubles led by workhorse David "Flipper" Cline really bring this story to life. Some of the best whitewater stunts ever captured on film. This video is worth every penny of its used price.
December 16, 2006.
SOOOO TRUE!!!!.
Rating: 5
I LOVE THIS DVD. I saw it a few years ago and then again yesterday. It is still as great as it was when it came out. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt!!!
December 14, 2006.
Comedic Genius.
Rating: 5
Ellen Degeneres has her comedic, "rambling" approach down to an art form. Well, maybe I am over-shooting a bit...not an art form like maybe what Michelangelo, Picasso, Monet, or Fabio would do. I guess some would consider her stand-up to be comparable to the beautifully crafted, timeless paintings we see in the Sistine Chapel, but most of those comparisons are brought about by vodka or sharp blows to the head, so we should just ignore those.
But, it could be compared to the works of other well respected artists likie...Vanilla Ice or an origami person (would that be an origamist or maybe an origaminator? I have no idea). Professional orgigami, though...not that stupid stuff they teach kids in school to get them to be creative using little colored squares on paper. That's easy to do. Nobody would consider that to be "real" art.
I shouldn't say it's stupid, kids do have to learn. Like my cousin's daughter, Kaitlin, who needs to learn to use the "big people's" potty instead of those diapers. She's just a lovely girl, but you'd think at 13, she'd have learned by now. I guess we should over-look it, though, considering the "accident". Some people say it was my fault, but that's just silly because I was acquitted at trial and my lawyer says I have nothing to worry about anymore. He said just to ignore the death threats and the crank calls.
Anyway, Ellen has rambling down to an art and this DVD is some of the best material she's ever brought forth. I just love the way she has perfect timing and her comedy doesn't have to be all vulgar and controversial like a lot of comedians, or like what my brother tries to do when he gets drunk and wears that funny hat and goes to karaoke. It's always fun when he does that until they call the police, because it's not really a karaoke bar...it's Wal-Mart and they have told him over and over and over to stay away, but even with that restraining order, he just comes right back.
Kind of reminds me of when we were kids and my dad would drive him far, far away and then leave him. Somehow he always found his way home. I have no idea how he untied himself or got out of that trunk, but he did it! My dad was such a kidder that way. He was always playing funny jokes on us, like that time he tried to get me to eat the "funny candy". Yeah, right, dad! Like I'm going to fall for that one. I knew right away it was a urinal cake because of the funny smell and the way it just magically appeared after he came out of the public bathroom at the mall.
He did fool me with the fake Kool-Aid, though. It was anti-freeze, but I just guzzled it right down. Oh, don't worry, I was fine...and those doctors in ICU were the best! Besides, kids are resiliant...you'd be surprised how fast a 5-year-old can recover from something like that. Yeah, I miss my dad, God rest his soul. He's not dead, but my mom is always saying that if he ever comes back to her door step, she'll kill him, so there you go.
What was I saying? Oh, right! Ellen. This is one of my favorite DVDs. Ellen is my favorite comedian and I also love her old sitcom on DVD.
December 31, 2005.
I LOVE This DVD!!.
Rating: 5
Ellen Degeneres comes back to what she is BEST at!! This Stand-up DVD, is HIlrious!! Degeneres talks about why they still put 1-800 numbers on the back of shampoo bottles, and many other stuff!! You should BUY this,and once you do you won't regret that you did!!
December 11, 2005.
Delighted you're out and proud..
Rating: 5
I have been a fan of Ellen Degeneres since her first episode of her series, and I fell flat out in love with her awesome sense of humor. I was so happy to see someone with the courage to show the world that gay people can make a difference in the lives of those still fearful to come out. Her presentation is hysterically funny, and anyone who watches her depictions of the everyday events without completely identifying with her is not being honest. I found the toilet paper claw one of the greatest comedic skits ever, not to mention the clean freaks who walk right up to the bathroom door after scrubbing their hands and grab the germiest item in the world: the door handle. She brings a touch of genius and hilarity into a world which has forgotten how funny the mundane can be. She celebrates her lifestyle in a profoundly tasteful and inspirational manner. She is a breath of fresh air and I absolutely love to watch her dance. Her Q and A with the audience at the end with the oops in calling the girl sir cracked me up and then had me in tears with her compassionate hug and support. She is indeed a role model for all women who live in fear of persecution because of their lifestyle. Hats off to Ellen and "The Beginning." You go girl!
December 26, 2005.
Back at it.......
Rating: 4
Funny and engaging... ellen back on stage doing what she does best and doing it well!! Join her as she touches on issues like society's need for silence, her coming out and the joy that is gloria estefan. If you are a fan it's a must see and if you haven't seen her on stage yet you are missing out.
December 16, 2005.
THE HITCHHIKER IS A GREAT CREEPY TV SHOW!!!!!!!!.
Rating: 5
When The Hitchhiker came on in the 80's i was totally hooked on this tv show!!!!! It's cool that it came out on two volumes on DVD so that way you can relive all those classic horror tales!!!!! What made it creepy was the music and the stories and it had a great cast to play the parts in the stories so go and get them in your collection now!!!!!
December 04, 2005.
Drivel.
Rating: 1
Bleah. I never caught this back when it was on HBO, and I'm glad. It's terrible. I couldn't get through two whole episodes. They call these tales of terror. What's terrible is that this ever got put on DVD. Don't bother picking this title up. It's cheesy and not terrifying at all. Maybe really late at night back in the 80's. But probably not even then.
December 29, 2007.
Know the Job Well.
Rating: 5
Having worked in the Witness Program (WSP, WitSec) for 9 years, I was very impressed with this film. Sizemore was typical of mobster entering the Program: fearful, cocky, arrogant, patronizing, angry, unhappy, and unfeeling about what his actions have cost his family; in short... self-absorbed. Since I'm retired now, the movie brought back all the memories of dealing with these guys and talking to them in the only language they understand. I even remembered in which section of the file the Memorandum of Understanding went.
It also brought back memories of the James Caan movie "Hide in Plain Sight", which was a true story and changed the rules regarding non-custodial parental rights when a spouse in WSP is relocated.
Both Whittaker and Sizemore did an outstanding job in this film, which got the stamp of approval from the USMS. It's a shame it was made for video and not for the big screen. I watch it every few months just to keep my mind fresh about a job I worked and loved.
December 11, 2005.
Transition into the witness protection program isn't easy.
Rating: 5
This 1992 HBO film dealt with a subject that has always fascinated me and yet I knew little about. What happens to a family that goes into the witness protection program? What kind of problems do they face? And how, exactly, does the transformation work. This film attempts to answer some of these questions. And, if the characters are a little larger than life, and the story sometimes dips to the level of a soap opera, it really didn't matter to me. Because by then, I was so involved with the story and the personalities of this particular fictional family that I was too caught up to care.
The story starts out strong and continues its hectic pace. We soon learn that Tom Sizemore is involved with the mob who are out to kill him. It becomes apparent that his wife and children are also in danger. That's when Tom Sizemore goes to the FBI and agrees to testify in exchange for his family's protection.
The teenage son who is doing so well is school that he could get into a prestigious college is heartbroken. He has to leave his girlfriend too. And give up what looks like his whole future. The little 5-year old girl has to learn to lie about her name. And the wife, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, has to give up all the luxuries she's become adjusted to. This family is going to be poor in their new location and the father is going to have to work as a laborer.
This change doesn't happen overnight however. First, the family must spend 5 days in an FBI relocation house which looks like a house but is really a fancy prison. Here, they have to learn how to behave in their new environment. Forest Whitiker is cast as the FBI agent who will help make this happen. He plays his "tough love" part well and keeps saying he doesn't care. But it is clear that he does care about this family.
There are arguments between the husband and wife and one scene where the dishes fly and she hits him with a frying pan. There is one scene where the son refuses to go along with the relocation. The little girl cries a lot and we wonder how this will all affect her little life. Tensions do more than mount. They explode. And there were times that my own emotions were touched and I found my eyes tearing up.
I enjoyed this film and its unique angle on what the witness protection program means in the lives of one particular family. It made me think.
December 27, 2003.
Flawlessly Performed.
Rating: 4
The performances make this made for cable efforta must see. Some of the writing particularly in the middle section of the film is really strong. Give it a chance it is quite fascinating.
December 01, 2003.
Good movie.
Rating: 5
This movie starts off with a bang and keeps you in suspense but the ending becomes obvious during the last 20 or so minutes. Ms. Mastrantonio is incredible in this movie and I recommend viewing it when you've got nothing on your mind because the story really pulls you in and you might forget those important car insurance bills that have overwhelmed you tired little mind.
December 28, 2000.
This one is a good one to rent.
Rating: 3
Witness Protection is one of the few movies that focuses on the guys behind the scenes. In this mob story of a man who goes into hiding with his family, few things are clearly stated to the viewer. The acting is decent, a good director is in the making with Richard Pearce, but the story moves slowly and is very choppy. You are left to wonder how they got from one place to another. It had a well-developed plot, but it never followed through. I was particularly disappointed with the ending and the fact that the wife really had no idea what her husband did. All in all it was a decent movie. But rent it before you consider buying it.
December 17, 2006.
You Couldn't Stand Her, But You Wrote A Whole Review, And Named Yourself Mr. Ullman.
Rating: 5
Don't listen to the imbecile below. "Tracey Takes On" was ahead of it's time, and people who love and respect original humor and have more than three braincells, get the series.
December 21, 2006.
I Never Could Stand Her.
Rating: 1
I've tried watching Ms Ullman, but I couldn't stand wasting my time on such an untalented showperson. She takes on random personas and prattles on as if in her own world and none of it is funny or perceptive, or even interesting. I can't believe she gets paid to carry on as she does. It can't be much tho, considering the paucity of positive reviews here.
December 26, 2006.
Yahoo - Season 2 is on the way now as well!.
Rating: 5
This is a must have for your DVD collection. Ullman is just a comedy master. Her chameleon-like transformations are unbelievable and she is always very, very funny. This is an excellent set of episodes that you can watch over and over again. Her best trait though, is the humanity in her comedy. Ullman creates charaters and worlds that make you laugh and make you cry at the same time. This series was long overdue on DVD - enjoy!
December 02, 2006.
Just Amazing!.
Rating: 5
One of the funniest comedies ever on television. Launched HBO original series! You've never seen a show until you've seen this! Tracey is a genius and needs to do more original programming in the future.
I wish the DVDs contained more missing sketches that never aired and more audio commentaries from Tracey.
December 31, 2005.
Love love love it!.
Rating: 5
Tracey Takes On is an extremely well directed show with skits about a certain subject which Tracey "takes on". From an Eldery Hair Dresser to Gay Flight Attendant, the range of characters is astounding. She brings each to life with her wonderful accents and their enlightening observations. It's easy to forget it's her acting.
I was so excited when I heard Tracey was coming to DVD. I've preordered my own copy and think about it every day! A must own!
HBO at it's best.
December 09, 2007.
The Visit.
Rating: 3
Borring and choppy if you know what I'm saying. I have never seen such good actors do such poor jobs.
December 08, 2007.
very strong film.
Rating: 5
this film is very real as it deals with a Prisoner played by Hill Harper who is dying from Aids. Harper is a Very Good Actor. Billy Dee Wlliams does a very Good Job playing Harper's Father in the film. Phylicia Rashad does a strong job as well. very Good Writing, Directing, Pacing&overall chemistry on a film that is a must see.
December 27, 2006.
hill harper is so intense.
Rating: 5
get this, do not watch it alone, it so emotional!
hill harper is so intensely understated it gave me goosebumps. very rare a film goes along that its subject matter is so lost in the fine writing and directing and acting. originally a stage play, this was set to the big screen but it only played the film fests.
critically acclaimed, hill lost weight to look like an aids-infected prisoner estanged from his father billy dee williams. coming to terms with an emphathetic phylicia rashad reconnecting with obba and rae dawn, this movie was just what the doctor ordered.
a fine cast assembled, great directing/writing, excellent story, couln't ask for more
December 18, 2005.
A story for any family dealing with forgiveness.
Rating: 5
Dealing with family and forgiveness is one of the hardest and most humbling things we all, as humans, go through in life. This story shows how this one man, who is dying and is in prison, not only tortures himself because of anger, love and forgiveness, but how his family and friends support, and at times don't support his journey. If you are looking for a story with raw emotions, hard cold truths, and saving love, this is the story for you. It applies to us all as humans as it erases the differences of race or color and deals with the heart.
The acting in this movie is superb. Hill Harper and Billy Dee Williams have outdone themselves again.
Jordan Walker-Pearlman has taken this play and has shown us all this valuable life lesson on film. I expect great things from Jordan in the future and anxiously await them. You have my support.
December 31, 2005.
Bear's take on The Visit.
Rating: 4
I am a Black African from South Africa and like movies in general but I am an avid supporter of Black Amarican movies. This was a very good movie with superb acting by all. This movie for me was a fresh change from movies like Boys 'n the Hood, Best Man, Love Jones etc. Don't get me wrong, these movies hold their own in their respective genres and I love them. It's just that seeing Hill Harper giving such a powerful, convincing portrayal of inmate Alex Waters dying of AIDS made me respect him even more as an actor. In fact i regretted buying his other movie Loving Jezebel. I know the genre is different but I still think that The Visit is a better movie both in terms of material and Hill Harper's acting. Having said that, the performance by the entire cast (Rae dawn Chong, Obba Babatunde, Phylicia Rashad, Marla Gibbs and Billy Dee Williams) was excellent.
I really welcome movies like this, movies that tackle social issues experienced by real people and at the same time provide actors with serious roles with depth. Keep up the good work
Simangele Mkhize, Westville, South Africa.
December 29, 1999.
Excellent insight into the human soul..
Rating: 5
The movie was a little long in parts, but kept the viewer's interest as one waited to see the choice of, and resulting manifestation of innner character of, the "perfect witness."
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