Director Anthony Waller (The Piper, An American Werewolf in Paris) combines cat-and-mouse suspense with classic intrigue in Mute Witness, an updated take on the Hitchcockian thriller in which the only witness to a brutal crime can neither speak nor cry out in terror.

Billy Hughes (Marina Zudina) is a mute special effects artist working on a low budget American slasher movie being shot in Russia. Accidentally locked in the studio late one night, she stumbles upon two men shooting what appears to be a snuff film. Having borne witness to their victim’s final moments, Billy desperately flees – but this is only the start of a protracted night of terror, drawing her and her friends into a tangled web of intrigue, involving the KGB, the Moscow police… and a mysterious crime kingpin known as “The Reaper.”

Filmed on location in Moscow and co-starring Fay Ripley (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein) and Evan Richards (Society), Mute Witness is an unpredictable, nerve-shreddingly tense viewing experience. Now fully restored in 4K and presented alongside a host of new and recently unearthed bonus materials, there has never been a better opportunity to discover – or rediscover – this gem of 90s thriller cinema.

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Video Quality

Arrow Films presents Mute Witness with a solid 2160p transfer in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio sourced from a 4K master provided by Jinga Films and approved by director Anthony Waller. The film largely looks very nice, but this particular disc does not quite reach the heights of other 4K UHD releases from the company, most likely because Arrow Video did not handle the remastering. For instance, some specks of print damage still linger after being cleaned up. The presentation thankfully retains the natural film grain that helps bring forth textural details of the clothing and production design. This grain resolves well with only minor fluctuations detected outside the optical opening credits. The settings feel lived-in and three-dimensional thanks to the depth of field. This sense of scale is helpful when navigating tense situations.

The disc provides HDR10 instead of Dolby Vision, which is still a strong choice for increased color output. None of the colors here are a vibrant spectacle with the Russian setting, but a greater depth is unlocked. The cinematographer keeps things relatively desaturated with nuances within specific colors that reveal a depth you might not have even considered previously. More notable is how the transfer handles the contrast. The black levels are quite deep, but there does seem to be some crush present. Highlights likewise come up a bit short as you notice some blooming in the most intense light sources. We are not saying Dolby Vision could have avoided these issues, but it would have been nice to see for ourselves. This disc avoids most unsightly digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, and other nuisances. Arrow Video has released better discs, but this one still holds up as a fine effort from the label.

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with an LPCM 2.0 track that represents this quite well. The film has a terrific sound design to work in parallel with the limitations of our main character, and the atmospheric effects render fully within the stereo limitations. Dialogue comes through clearly in the front channel without being drowned out by any sound effects or score. The movie is filled with some pulse-pounding moments which add some texture to the low end, although this is more subtle in general. The effective score sets the mood for this story which fills the speakers well. There is rarely an issue with fidelity or damage to the track. This audio presentation delivers exactly what the film needs. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

The first pressing of the Arrow Video 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Mute Witness includes a 19-page booklet featuring the essay “Seen But Not Heard: A Brief Exploration of Mute Women In Film” by film critic Michelle Kisner. This provides a great analysis of the film, how it fits into the lineage of mute women appearing on screen, and more in a thoughtfully written style. This package also includes a double-sided poster. The on-disc special features are as follows:

Audio Commentaries: Two great commentary tracks are provided that feature the creative team delving into the production of the film, the background of the performers, motivations behind certain creative choices, real-world elements incorporated into the feature, working with Alec Guinness, the production design, the creation of the score, and so much more that gets covered quite deftly throughout both tracks.

- Audio Commentary #1: Writer/director Anthony Waller

- Audio Commentary #2: Production designer Matthias Kammermeier and composer Wilbert Hirsch, moderated by critic Lee Gambin

The Silent Death: A new 12-minute video essay courtesy of author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas explores the depiction of snuff films on screen, how they comment on reality, recurring motifs, how Mute Witness stands out in the subgenre, and more.

The Wizard Behind The Curtains: A new 24-minute video essay courtesy of author and critic Chris Alexander that explores the concept of films within films, notable works that use them in creative ways, how Mute Witness carves out its own place in the world, and more.

Snuff Movie Presentation: A 25-minute presentation made for investors that explains what the film is about, who will be working on the project, and more.

Location Scouting Footage: A nearly eight-minute look at location scouting footage in Boston before the decision was made to shoot in Moscow.

Alec Guinness Footage: A three-minute look at the footage shot with Alec Guinness a decade prior to the film’s normal production.

Image Gallery: A collection of images from the production are provided here.

Trailers: This disc provides the Teaser (1:09) and the Trailer (1:47).

Final Thoughts

Mute Witness is a prime example of an overlooked gem. The premise is straightforward, but it is executed impeccably as you find yourself gripping your seat throughout. The limitations of our main characters are effective plot fodder while never seeming unrealistic. The film works at a great pace and keeps you emotionally invested even if we are limited in how much we can explore the interior world of our protagonist. Our lead performer accomplishes so much with facial expressions alone, and the other performers support her well enough. The Alec Guinness cameo is not completely necessary, but it is a fun factoid to help the film get some more eyeballs on it. Arrow Video has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a good A/V presentation and a favorable array of special features. Give this one a shot if you are looking for a good thriller. Recommended

Mute Witness is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Arrow Video has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.