This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling.
You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (July 2008)
A tanú (English: The Witness), also known as Without A Trace, is a 1969 Hungariansatire film, directed by Péter Bacsó. The creators waited about ten years until releasing the film because of the political climate of Hungary. The first cinema showing of the film was successful, and it later became a cult film.
Plot
The film features József Pelikán (Ferenc Kállai) as a single father who previously worked for the communist regime of Hungary but is now working at a dyke. He meets an old friend from the underground communist movement, Zoltán Dániel, now a government official, who fishes at the Duna, near the dyke. Later, Dániel is captured by the Duna, and Pelikán rescues him and invites him to his home. A The ÁVH comes, because they got a report that Pelikán committed the illegal act of slaughtering a pig for food. Dániel tries to save him, but accidentally opens a hidden door to the basement, where all the pork had been hidden. Pelikán was taken to prison, but later released, due to the "will of the higher command". Comrade Virág =gives various assignments to Pelikán: being the CEO of a swimming pool, an amusement park, and an orange-research facility. The purpose of this is revealed later: they want Pelikán to be the witness in a show trial against Zoltán Dániel. Before the trial, they present Pelikán with testimony he must memorize, but Pelikán tells the truth instead. He is thrown back in prison as reprisal for this. While awaiting hanging, the political climate changes and he is released instead and later meets Comrade Virág who now lost all his former power and influence.