A mute make-up artist working on a film being locked in the studio after hours. While there she witnesses a brutal murder, and has to escape capture to stay alive.

These types of films were very popular in the 90’s.

Films that blended both Horror and thriller, it was very much the popular thing to do. It was like watching modern day film makers channelling their inner Hitchcock and we got some amazing films out of it, films that have stood the test of time.

As with anything that becomes popular and successful, we got a ton of films trying to emulate the success of this formula, the results were often mixed. Though there were a few diamonds in the rough that could possibly be something great.

This was one of those films for me. The plot was a fun one, its synopsis was certainly one that got you intrigued. I thought it did a great job of mixing Horror elements into a thriller style feature, I mean, what more could you ask for really?

Well the problem was the execution, this had all the potential to be an amazing feature but the plot shifts and changes tone so much and it had an ending that made it look like they just ran out of money, it was so rushed and completely ruined it for me.

“Mute Witness” is like watching two films stitched together, what starts out as a griiping Horror/thriller ends up becoming a Horror/comedy. It’s a shame as it certainly had the potential to become a classic.

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If you want to see the “Mute Witness” trailer then just click on the video below:

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Miscellaneous facts about the film:

Writer- Producer-Director Anthony Waller met Sir Alec Guinness quite by chance in Hamburg in 1985, where he asked him if he was interested in doing a one-scene cameo. To his surprise, Guinness said he’d be delighted and that he would do it for free. The problem was that Guinness was fully booked for the next eighteen months, so Waller suggested they shoot the scene the following morning in an underground car park. Guinness readily agreed and, true to his word, took no payment with the provision that he not be credited in the film or there be no publicity surrounding his involvement in it. This is why he is billed as “Mystery Guest Star” in the end credits.

Marina Zudina (Billy Hughes) did not speak English at the time, but as her character was mute anyway, she could still pose for an American.

Sir Alec Guinness’s final theatrical film role.

Originally set in Chicago, Writer-Producer-Director Anthony Waller changed the location when told that Moscow would provide much cheaper sets and labor.

Shooting equipment for this movie was flown out to Moscow, whereupon it was immediately impounded by corrupt customs officials who demanded sixty thousand dollars in customs duty to release it. With a little diplomacy, a few thousand dollars, and a lot of vodka, the producers were able to free the equipment.

According to Anthony Waller, the production was forced to pay off the Russian mafia so filming could proceed smoothly.

Filming was delayed multiple times, first by a diphtheria outbreak in Moscow, and then again due to the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis.

Temperatures in Red Square, Moscow, Russia went down as far as -31 degrees Celsius (-23 degrees Fahrenheit).

Gina Bellman was originally cast in the lead role, but had to drop out due to a kidney infection.