Chief Witness Phil Carlson Phil Carlson is once again surprising. He creates a picture on simple material, the tension appears as if from nothing. However, the secret here is in spectacular psychological portraits. Carlson’s view is much deeper than the story itself – the characters are too multidimensional.
Take for example the girl of the main villain, who was spectacularly played by Dennis Hopper. This sweet, modest outwardly young lady turns out to be a fierce criminal. Without a shadow of a doubt, she is ready to organize a crime and even blackmail members of her own gang. And yet, in this cruel girl lurks a vulnerable masochist. She only gets satisfaction when Dennis Hopper humiliates her. By the way, there is an exact roll call with "Blue Velvet", where the sadistic bandit is also played by Hopper. This is a very rich portrait.
Or another minor character is an African-American, one of the members of a youth gang. The very fact that it is accepted in the criminal community regardless of skin color clearly and very ironically underlines the actual problem of the interracial issue. And indeed, the attitude to the guy is exactly the same as to other bandits. But he is still trying to behave according to his conscience.
Just two portraits and how deep it goes. And then you have to go back to the very beginning of the picture. It is built on a typical Hitchcockian component – a brutal crime happens in front of everyone. But a few dozen people can't agree to be witnesses - they haven't seen, they haven't remembered, they're not sure. Only one brave man, confident in himself, is ready to challenge. His opposition to the youth gang is what defines the whole film. And at the same time, it sets another memorable character - the main character, played by Jeffrey Hunter. This determined man bribes everyone with his confidence and determination. Indomitable character, will, perseverance and... For Phil Carlson, that would be too one-sided. It is much more interesting to twist everything so that a glossy hero with a Hollywood smile, such as Jeffrey Hunter, suddenly flinches. Then every decision will be of triple interest to the viewer. This is a real unpredictability.
So, in this film, we can easily see such important topics as the interracial issue (the ending reminds me very much about “Single Chained”), youth crime and the humility of residents with the ongoing criminal lawlessness (there is already a clear roll call with “the Phoenix story” of Carlson). Underneath will be a very poignant canvas and a lot of interesting psychological details.
8 out of 10