Mute Witness 4K Ultra HD

In "Mute Witness," a mute American filmmaker working in Moscow witnesses a brutal murder and becomes the target of killers who want to silence her forever. Billy Hughes (Marina Zudina) is a mute special effects artist working in a low budget American slasher mlvie 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 lf 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 Reeper." (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Anthony Waller, commentary with Production Designer Matthias Kammemeler and Composer Wilbert Hirsch, original footage with Alec Guinness filmed s decade prior to the rest of Mute Witness (HD 02:41), the featurette 'The Wizard Behind The Curtain" (HD 23:23), original "Snuff Movie" presentation produce to generate interest from investors (SD 25:08), the visual essay "The Silent Death" (HD 11:33), illustrated booklet, image gallery, reversible sleeve featuring artwork by Adam Rabalais, double-sided foldout poster, original location scouting footage (SD 07:30), teaser trailer and trailer.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35mm film stock in Super 35 using the Arriflex camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate produced from the original 35mm camera negative. Grain is smooth and virtually not visible. The color palette is nicely saturated with warm and rich hues that exhibit naturalness throughout. Flesh tones are perfectly accurate. HDR contrast is excellent. Black levels are deep and revealing of fine shadow delineation. White levels are realistic and bright. Resolution enhances the realism with facial features nicely defined, clothing fabrics revealing and object textures that reveal fine textures in the production design. This is a great looking filmic presentation that is visually compelling. (Gary Reber)

The LPCM 2.0 stereo soundtrack is dynamic sounding and driven by atmospherics and sound effects. Atmospherics are effectively realistic. Sound effects are quite active and varied from set destruction and glass splattering to knife slashing sounds. Everything sounds perfectly authentic including Foley sound effects. The orchestral/choral score is nicely recorded and the soundstage is wide and deep. The music is aggressive and dynamic with a solid bass foundation. Dialogue is both in English and Russian with English subtitles. The dialogue is delivered with good spatial integration. This is a compelling soundtrack that is action driven and exciting. (Gary Reber)