Speaking of great movies that don't get nearly enough play or notoriety, there's a little film out there called "Mute Witness" that you should see. It is certainly not the easiest film to find at the video store, but if you should happen to stumble upon this little gem, give it a shot and you will not be disappointed.

The story begins with a small American film crew filming a bad low budget slasher picture in the former Soviet Union. The film they are making is very bad, and that is part of the joke of the film (one must realize this is not only a horror film, but a very dark comedy, a Hitchcockian suspense melodrama, and even a sort of espionage thriller as well).

It does not take long for the suspense to kick in and when it does, boy, grab onto something. See, it seems that after a long day of shooting, the studio is locking its doors for the evening. But, oops, the makeup girl Billy (played by a very likable, cute Russian actress named Marina Sudina who I would very much like to see in more movies) forgot something. As she runs back in to the studio, she gets locked in. The catch is, she is mute (as the title suggests) and unable to call for help to get out.

As she mulls over the situation up in one of the wardrobe rooms, she hears noises down below on the set. What do you never do in a horror film, kids? Investigate, that's right. What does Billy do? She investigates, that's right. But she can be forgiven, because she has no reason to sense a threat.

Yet.

What she sees is something I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to see. The horror and absolute disturbing visuals portrayed are enough to make any viewer uneasy. And this is where the film really starts. Now Billy is the desperate mouse in a cat and mouse game around this dilapidated Russian film studio and the next half hour is perhaps one of the most intense andsuspenseful half hours I recall spending in front of my TV. I won't giveanymore away. You have to see it for yourself.

What I will say is that this is one film that deserves more notoriety. It was ignored when it was released and has been virtually forgotten ever since. I don't even think there's ever been talk of a DVD release of it and that, my friends, is shameful indeed (especially after considering what sort of worthless dreck actually does get released sometimes ).

Until the day when people open their eyes and see what is actually good out there, do your part and please see this movie. I really cannot recommend it enough. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

By the way, I don't think I mentioned that there is a very cool cameo by everyone's favorite Jedi that is well worth the price of the rental by itself.

Timothy Gates