6.1/10
343
6 user 2 critic

Perfect Witness (1989)

R | | Crime, Drama, Thriller | TV Movie 28 October 1989
Perfect Witness Poster
A witness to a mob killing has second thoughts about testifying when he realizes his family might become a target.

Director:

Robert Mandel

Writers:

Terry Curtis Fox, Ron Hutchinson

Stars:

Brian Dennehy, Aidan Quinn, Stockard Channing | See full cast & crew »
Available on Amazon
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Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Dennehy ... James Falcon
Aidan Quinn ... Sam Paxton
Stockard Channing ... Liz Sapperstein
Laura Harrington ... Jeanie Paxton
Delroy Lindo ... Berger
Joe Grifasi ... Breeze
Ken Pogue ... Costello
Markus Flanagan ... Woods
David Margulies ... Rudnick
Nial Lancaster Nial Lancaster ... Danny Paxton
James Greene ... Paddy O'Rourke
Colm Meaney ... Meagher
Tobin Bell ... Dillon
Tony Sirico ... Marco
Sam Malkin Sam Malkin ... Stefano
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Story of a man (Quinn) who witnesses a mob killing and rather than testify he goes to prison. When released, he decides to finally testify, even though it means that he and his family will have to go into the "witness protection program" thereby disrupting their lives. However, an unexpected courtroom maneuver by the prosecuting attorney (Dennehy) changes the outcome for this man. Written by BOB STEBBINS <stebinsbob@aol.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

witness | courtroom | new york city | restaurant owner | woman shot | See All (10) »

Taglines:

It took a mob to run the city -- and one man to put them away.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1989 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Der perfekte Zeuge See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granger Productions Inc., HBO Pictures, Home Box Office (HBO) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Midnight at the Oasis
Written by David Nichtern
Performed by Maria Muldaur
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Deteriorating Characters = Downer
3 May 2007 | by ccthemovieman-1 – See all my reviews

This kept my interest for over halfway but then story began to get a little too depressing and the language got offensive and the whole thing just sort of collapsed. Near the end, I could care less what happened.

I am used to hearing actor Brian Dennehy's verbal blasphemy. He's one of the worst of all times in that regard, abusing the Lord's name in vain, but it was disappointing to see Aiden Quinn's character, "Sam Paxton," slowly deteriorate. He was likable most of the way, and then started to cop an attitude. What happened to Stockard Channing's character "Liz" also was disappointing.

Overall, too much of a downer to recommend.
6 of 20 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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