This was a riveting movie from beginning to end. William Genovese embarks on a long and difficult search for clues as to what really happened to his sister Kitty back in 1964 when she was brutally murdered. As a marine losing both legs in Vietnam, you can feel his pain knowing that his buddies were there for him, but his sister apparently died alone. William slowly begins to fit together a more complete picture of what happened. I think that his honesty and lack of judgment allowed him to discover things that would probably have remained hidden for ever. What is uncovered is complex and not easily defined. What is evident, however, is that nothing can ever replace original and painstaking research. The movie is well produced and the graphic illustrations are imaginative and well placed.
Add a Review
-
clarkj-565-16133621 June 2016
-
ferguson-62 June 2016Greetings again from the darkness. Remember that time you told yourself "I don't want to get involved"? We live in an era when the phrase "If you see something, say something" is more catchphrase than active philosophy, and it's pretty easy to justify looking the other way by thinking "It's none of my business." In 1964, twenty-eight year old Kitty Genovese was brutally attacked and murdered in Queens. The New York Times reported that the same man attacked her three times, and that no one called the police, despite her screams and 38 people witnessing the attacks over a half hour. Her story became the symbol for "bystander apathy" and led to development of the 911 system and the "Good Samaritan Law".
Forty years after the attack, the New York Times examined their original story, and it's that piece that brought together filmmaker James D Soloman (he wrote the screenplay for The Conspirator) and Kitty's brother Bill. Their goal was to research the horrible events of that night and determine once and for all if the legendary story is fact or a case of media sensationalism. With its flashbacks to multiple news stories over the years, the film begins as a procedural and evolves into Bill's personal journey of emotional turmoil in regards to his big sister's life and death.
Bill was only 16 years old when Kitty was killed; and three years later, he lost both legs while serving in Vietnam. It's his calmness and intelligence that we are so drawn to as he makes his way through the crime scenes, interviews witnesses/neighbors/family members, and examines as much of the existing evidence as possible. His fascinating journey finds him crossing paths with Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes", Abe Rosenthal (the NY Times editor who ran the original story and wrote a book about the case), the police detective who investigated the case, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney for Kitty's confessed murderer.
As compelling as the complete film is, there are a few segments that really stand out. Mr. Rosenthal's attitude and lack of remorse for running such a sloppy story is sickening – even 50 years after the fact. It's an extraordinary example of how the media can manipulate a story for ratings, and of how little things have changed over 5 decades. A face-to-face sit down with the Reverend son of the confessed killer is both awkward and frustrating, while also enlightening as to how family members can revise history in order to live with it. Finally, Bill's visit to the home of Kitty's old friend and neighbor Sofia is heartbreaking as the woman remembers comforting Kitty in her last few moments of life.
Bill discovers numerous conflicts to the original NYT story there were two attacks, not three; the number 38 for witnesses seems to have been fabricated; most of the witnesses were ear-witnesses, not eye-witnesses; and there is every indication that multiple calls were made to the police thereby muting the argument that neighbors were too apathetic or frightened to get involved. While none of these points are especially surprising to us, it's Bill's story now and we can't help but feel for him.
Mr. Soloman expertly structures the film so that we can experience both the highs and lows of Bill's efforts. We hear the recording of Kitty's former roommate as she shed lights on Kitty the person, rather than Kitty the victim. Bill reads the letter from Rocco, Kitty's ex-husband as he declines an interview. We are in the room when Bill is questioned as to whether he is part of the infamous Genovese crime family, and we see Bill tackle the trial transcripts with the words "heard screams, saw nothing" repeated many times. If this is a study on social behavior, it may be more pertinent to media motives than human reaction but this isn't the place to bash the media – it's a compelling look at one man's quest to find peace with the past. -
Bill Genovese, one of the three brothers of slain New York tavern manager Kitty Genovese (in a murder case dating back to 1964), seeks closure to his sister's horrific death, wherein over 30 residents of a Queens apartment house allegedly heard her screaming for help after being stabbed repeatedly in the early morning hours but did not respond. Bill--a forthright and determined man able to get about almost effortlessly in a wheelchair--has become obsessed with the details of the crime over the past 50 years and, with the help of co-writer-producer-director James D. Solomon, gains incredible access to both everyday citizens and journalists who were either directly or indirectly involved. Bill discovers the facts of the case were somewhat embellished by reporters eager to sell newspapers on the strength of the story's more sensational aspects. He also reenacts the crime with an actress on the exact spot his sister was slain (with advance notice to the neighbors, of course). Most telling is a meeting with the son of Winston Moseley, Kitty's now-incarcerated killer, who admits to being apprehensive of meeting Bill after years of hearing that the Genovese family were part of the Italian Mafia. An altogether compelling, absorbing and emotional film, impeccably assembled and thought-provoking. ***1/2 from ****
-
bob_meg27 September 2016I saw this new doc at a double play with The Lovers and The Despot and the two films couldn't be more different. In scale, the two subjects don't match at all: one woman's senseless 50-year-old slaying against a couple of South Korean filmmakers captive to the whims of Kim Jong Il. Yet The Lovers and The Despot put me to sleep.
The Witness, by contrast, kept me riveted. My jaw dropped, my eyes wet, I got very angry --- everything you want from a good documentary. I'm old enough to remember the murder of Kitty Genovese or at least the aftermath. You know, the woman who screamed for help and was murdered over a 35 minute period while her neighbors did nothing to assist her?
Or did they? And that's where The Witness really goes in for the choke. What you thought you knew for certain may not be true, just as what Kitty's brother Bill assumed was fact and based many of his voluntary (and involuntary) life decisions upon for the rest of his life.
Filmmaker James Solomon holds back nothing while holding his subjects in nothing but the utmost respect. This is largely in credit to Bill Genovese who displays incredible honesty, tolerance, and courage as he uncovers holes, detours, and details in his sister's senseless murder and it's subsequent reporting and media blitz that are shocking and very disturbing.
But you're never invited to pity Bill, and you won't. The Witness takes a very grim and depressing event and turns it inside out by placing you as close to the action as possible, then gently daring you to not look away. You won't. -
"The Witness" (2015 release; 88 min.) is a documentary about the life and death of New Yorker Kitty Genovese. As the movie opens, we learn how Kitty was brutally murdered in Kew Gardens, a densely populated area of Queens and, as the New York Times then reported, how 38 witnesses watched and did nothing. Now 50 years later, Kitty's brother Bill is still bothered by many aspects of the whole thing. "The end hasn't been reached yet", he murmurs as he decides to get to the bottom of this. At that moment we're not even 10 min. into the documentary but to tell you more of how it plays out would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to watch it for yourself.
Couple of comments: this documentary is directed by James Solomon, but is really driven by Bill Genovese, whose investigation we follow on screen (and who co-produced the movie). The most puzzling aspect of the entire story is how the famed NYT got this story so wrong, I mean, their reporting has holes the size of Manhattan in it! Bill also takes the opportunity to look back at Kitty, not just her death, but also her life, in which we get a couple of interesting surprises as well. All that, plus a look back at the 50s and early 60s era, make for interesting viewing, and then some.
I happen to catch this on a recent trans-Atlantic flight, and it certainly helped the time move along. If you like crime documentaries, you could to a lot worse than this. -
steelersare23 January 2017This film, "The Witness," is directed towards an audience that enjoys crime mysteries and documentaries of this sort. This documentary itself was intended to educate people about the murder of Kitty Genovese and her brother's hope to find out what exactly happened that night. Before viewing the documentary I had some background knowledge of the case and was expecting this to be a look into the murder similar to what a "Cold Case Files," would do with the case. This was filmed to give the story of what her brother went through trying to solve the mystery as to why no one called the police during Kitty's attack. This was a much more interesting take on the case than the articles I've read about the case and I would recommend this documentary to anyone interested in the case or murder cases in general.
-
planktonrules15 January 2017This film was made by Kitty Genovese's brother, William. He spends this movie talking about and interviewing just a few people about the infamous murder of his sister--a story sensationalized by the New York Times back in 1964. Unfortunately, it was over 50 years ago...and few witnesses are still alive and the murderer wouldn't participate in the film. Still, the documentary was interesting in spots--such as when it becomes apparent that the Times actually botched the story...there WERE witnesses who claim to have called the police and Kitty definitely did NOT die alone as the paper claimed. Additionally, interviews with the person who stayed with her when she died and the interview with the killer's son were mildly interesting...mildly. However, the film seems to say nothing definitely and the story only held my interest but never did much more.
-
flkatej5 October 2016This was so well done. It's amazing how impartial her brother was while investigating the reactions of the media, police, and ear witnesses. Revisiting the building and recreating what they heard must have been excruciating. He displayed the same courage that must have been necessary to move forward with his life after her death and the severe injuries he suffered while serving as a marine during the Vietnam war. Getting to see glimpses of her personality only magnify the loss. The Genovese family have shown a great deal of character in dealing with the hardships in their lives. Her murderer's son is more concerned with victim blaming than accepting his father's responsibility for his own actions.
-
elerch-2293325 January 2017In the documentary The Witness, Bill Genovese is on a mission to find out the truth behind the death of his older sister Kitty Genovese. This film does a great job informing the audience on what had happened that night in 1964. Over 40 years later people all over are still asking the question, what truly did happen that night. Throughout the movie they kept finding facts and facts about that night that no one has ever heard before. From interviewing Kitty's neighbor who held her when she took her last breath, to sitting down and talking with the murderer's son. I think this film is put together perfectly and shows everyone what did indeed happen that night.
-
TigerHeron15 October 2016This is a moving, comprehensive documentary about the life and death of Kitty Genovese, the woman whose murder was supposedly witnessed by "38 Witnesses" who did nothing. It exposes the truth about the "witnesses," most of whom didn't actually see what happened. A couple of people did intervene, including a woman who cradled the victim as she died. The film exposes the gross malfeasance of The New York Times.
Kitty Genovese was murdered in the sixties by a lone sociopath, as she returned home from her job as a bar manager. The film details how publications such as The New York Times reported a story based on semi-accurate police reports and blew it up into an attack on American "apathy." But in reality, as this documentary shows, the truth was far more complicated. In my view the most shocking scene is an interview with Times former editor A.M. Rosenthal, who all but admits he was interested in advocacy not journalism. I couldn't help but think of the recent fiasco involving Rolling Stone magazine and their fictitious story about campus rape. And we depend on these entities to tell us the truth!
The most harrowing part of the film is a re-creation of the murder. The film is also a tear-jerker as we learn about the many lives impacted and destroyed by Kitty's murder. There's a fascinating scene in which the son of the murderer reveals the fanciful story told by his father to explain what happened, and we get the sense the son actually believes this absurd rationalization.
The film is in large part the work of Kitty's brother Bill who is kind of a main "character" in the film as he doggedly pursues the truth. I applaud Bill Genovese and the director for making this film. -
leonguyen-8705221 January 2018The documentary is narrated by Bill Genovese as he searches for answers about the murder of his sister Kitty Genovese. Kitty was killed in the night of March 13, 1964 and the truth about her murder has been the subject of many theories as to what really happened that night, and in 2015, Bill decided to get answers of his own. When it comes to filming, the camera would follow Bill's journey, with cameras in place, catching his interactions and his facial expressions and reactions. Being a documentary that is more of a personal subject, it took a serious, realistic, and used music to add an emotional touch. Bill's interviews with the different witnesses was interesting as it shows each persons different perspective or accounts and adds accuracy to the content of the documentary. The part of the documentary that was most interesting was the reenactment of Kitty's murder as it not only gave Bill an understanding of what she went through but also puts him in the position of the witnesses himself and allows him to form his own beliefs to what may have occurred. This part also gave viewers a personal perspective on what Kitty went through and puts them in the position of the witnesses. This gives viewers a chance to form their own opinions without bias. A surprising part of the interview was when Bill met with Steve and the conversation they had as it shows how each viewed the case and how they live up to their legacy. The documentary could've shown more details of the interviews to show all the actions that occurred between Bill and each individual and show more of their personalities. Overall this documentary was well done, something that would be recommended for the curious minded of one of the most compelling cases in the world.
-
MikeyB179324 October 2016A most moving documentary that explores many facets of the murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City (Queens) in 1964. At the time it was portrayed as a murder witnessed by 38 people who did nothing.
Over the years this was exposed as a manufactured myth, for example most of the witnesses heard but did not see the crime. There were also calls to the police and a friend of Kitty's came to her assistance. The New York Times comes under criticism for fabrication of these "38 witnesses" – as a ploy for "crime sells" and propagating a myth of "urban indifference".
We also come to know who Kitty was – and how a family never recovers from this trauma. An excellent documentary, at a very human level, where the principal narrator, the brother of Kitty, never draws undue attention to himself. -
My last documentary film was a couple of Oscar nominees that I saw before the award ceremony. I'm not that into documentaries compared to the feature films I watch on the regular basis, but time to time I try if I get interested after learning what it's all about. Likewise, I found this one, though it is not a science or nature theme that I usually prefer than anything else. I have enjoyed many murder mystery films, but this one is a documentary. So I wanted to know the experience of watching the real story with real clips and interviews of real suspect, witnesses and what the victim's family says about it.
This was about one of the America's most talked crime of the previous century. It took place 50 years ago, on 13th March 1964. A young woman was murdered where nobody came to rescue her. So after all these years, the younger brother of the victim, who was a very young boy then did not remember much of the event and following incidents, is now trying to investigate and if possible to get a new perspective of that dreadful day. His journey begins in search of truth.
Like any documentary films, it started off without notifying us what's going on. But very soon the basic information revealed. Bill Genovese, who is on the wheelchair tells us what he little knows about his sister Kitty. Then the focus goes back to the day she was murdered. She was alone on the street, but there were plenty of eyes that witnessed from a nearby apartment building when a man approached Kitty and what followed was a horror. No one came forward, otherwise an innocent soul would have been saved.
❝For years, I avoided the details of that night, because they were just too painful, but it's worse not knowing the truth.❞
After debating about the crime like the motive to commit it, the film right away turns its all focus on what's wrong with those who saw it, but failed to do anything. Bill meets some of the witnesses and gets their perspective. The stories of how they saw it and how they reacted to it. Unfortunately, many of them are passed away as it was a half a century old incident. Bill, as well as the filmmakers tried their best to get useful and fresh info, but the investigation did not go anywhere as we expect in a feature film.
The sad part of this film is there's barely any original clips, except a few personal archive footages of the victim. Because CCTV cameras were not found anywhere near the crime scene like todays world, not even 911 was existed. They say, this crime was one of the reasons to implement the 911 concept. The incident impacted the US big, to fight crime after many debates to introduce many other precautionary measures. This topic was also used for the college thesis and other researches. So basically it changed the system that America began to fight back.
It was an outrageous event, but this film lacked something. Like I said the visuals, how that night would have looked like. They should have recreated it, instead revealing everything orally. Particularly the same event described by different people who witnessed it, that was this film's notion than the crime as the title hints. So pretty much succeed in its quest, along with Bill, who led his one man research team. As a documentary film, it is a fine product, but nothing like the feature film's murder mystery. So don't go for it with such expectation other than eager to learn the truth in a realistic way. So, recommended, but only for the selected audience.
7/10 -
ll_ss_mm1 September 2019Remarkable tale and insight into how the media treated the "facts" of the case. And a few revelations came to light about Kitty that portrayed her as a mysterious but loved character.
But what on earth was that ending about? I thought wanting to meet the (clearly delusional) killer was a step too far - it seems his son inherited the whacky delusions as well. But the recreation ventured into obsession, if not a fetish role play. Very bizarre, and hard to see what that proved.
A better director and story editor could have made this so much better. It has all the elements of a great true story. But I think because there was a sense of no real closure, the end was staged to inject some excitement. Bad decision. -
Kepart27 February 2021A young woman dies alone after being attacked three times at night and 38 witnesses didn't call the police? Or was it? Fifty years later, Bill Genovese, brother of slain girl, returns to the crime scene in an attempt to get answers their family was too sore in exploring before. Twists and turns and lost opportunities, all based on a newspaper article that took license with the story. There are still too many questions left behind. There was no information on what the police actually did that night. There was a list of 38 people, but what happened to them? Did they read the newspaper article and realize that they were part of that list or not as one interviewee realized. Was there no trial coverage to dispute what the original New York Times article said? What was the killer doing there in the first place? I think this documentary could have made a stronger case against media sensationalism, but I understand that this was one man's goal to save his sister and her legacy after her death. One last note, I found it rather silly that the killer's son was afraid of meeting Bill, thinking he was part of Genovese crime family. I don't think the mob would wait 50 years to get their revenge.
-
mauriciosfv10 May 2018It's a really touching and sad story but it gives you details, that people wasn't aware of, of how that tragic murder happened, i recommend it
-
joshautrey25 January 2017The Witness documents Bill Genovese's attempt to understand the circumstances surrounding the murder of his sister, Kitty Genovese. Those familiar with the murder by Winston Moseley and the subsequent explosion of media coverage were most likely the intended audience. With this documentary, Bill sets out to find the truth about what happened on the night of March 13th, 1964, and the alleged thirty-eight witnesses who did nothing. Before watching this movie, I was aware of the true events as well as the sensationalism that followed, and I expected to see the "urban apathy" angle on the events discussed and refuted which was included. My favorite sections of the film were the parts that were stylistic, gray scale, and animated, and where silhouettes of the witnesses looking down on the first attack voiced their recollections of the events unfolding. I also enjoyed the tense interaction between Bill and Winston Moseley's son in which both sides are victims of circumstance. However, I did not like the reenactment where Bill has a woman scream loudly on the same street where Kitty was attacked. It seemed like a cheap way to evoke an emotional response from the viewers and further played into Bill's obsession with the murder. Overall, I enjoyed this documentary, but I was let down by the seemingly intentional lack of conclusion. I would recommend this to anyone curious about the true events and the aftermath of the murder of Kitty Genovese.
-
itgirlx3 October 2016Very well conceived and executed narrative about one of the most fascinating and enduring tragedies in American psycho-social lore. This meticulously constructed documentary turns one of America's most chilling murders on its head with reconstructed time lines, police records, witness interviews and media reports from 1964 through subsequent decades, revealing the facts with a despicable and haunting twist--the "38 witnesses who did nothing," and have been used as an example of urban apathy, but have been cast in a different light.
What we come to learn about the night Kitty Genovese was brutally murdered reveals the darker underside of the police, media and others who capitalized on her death. This film is a must-see for true crime fans and social scientists alike-- for this tragic death speaks not to the shocking 'bystanders who did nothing' but to the sensationalized exploitation of Kitty's murder to further careers and do something far worse than nothing--the calculated and systemic lies and distortions by those entrusted to help, solve and inform the public who go on to use her murder for self-aggrandizement. Sadly, ultimately adding to the erosion of the concept of "American Exceptionalism." -
gavin694226 November 2016The brother of Kitty Genovese investigates the circumstances of her murder and the truth of the story that dozens of locals witnessed the crime and did nothing to intervene.
This is a story I have been aware of for 20 years. I never investigated it in any detail, but had been fascinated and did hear that much of the original story as reported in the media (and subsequent textbooks) was wrong. Here, in painstaking detail, we get to the bottom of things.
Anyone who takes the time to seek out the documents, track down witnesses,and even speak with the killer's son... that deserves a commendation. This should be winning awards right and left. The fact it is a family member makes it even stronger. -
thejamjam19 January 2018I recently had the pleasure of viewing the documentary Witness in my intro to writing English class. The documentary shows an in-depth analysis of the murder case of Catherine "Kitty" Genovese. She was murdered around 3 am by a man named Winston Moseley who has had an unrepresented history of murdering and raping women. Before I watched the doc, I read the first article posted by the New York Times (38 who saw murder and didn't call police) that was printed a couple weeks after Kitty's murder. From viewing Witness, I found that this article was intentionally skewed to push the blame of kitty's murder onto the residents of Kew Gardens in Queens, where kitty was murdered. It also neglected to inform its audience of the details of her murderer, the true antagonist of this story. This documentary has shown me that I shouldn't just stop at ground level if I want the true story, I need to really investigate what I'm being told. Thank you, Bill Genovese and family, for opening your world to us.
-
mdebotton20 December 2020The production itself wasn't particularly well done but given that it's an interesting and notorious story I stuck with it. I am sympathetic with her brother wanting answers, especially since his family never really dealt with her death or the aftermath; however, I nearly became incensed when he had an actress act out her movements and blood curdling screams in the location where she was murdered. He subjected the neighborhood to those screams. It doesn't matter that he put notices up. Hearing that at night when it is otherwise quiet and maybe people are in bed or even sleeping (they finished filming at 11 so she was maybe screaming at 10ish?) regardless of the reason, can be incredibly jarring and emotionally triggering for people. There are children that heard those screams. Children that don't understand. Why on earth would he do that? Shame on him. That Mr. Genovese is all that I will take away from your story: your selfish disregard for others.
-
donaldricco6 August 2017I've been super interested in this case ever since college, and this documentary didn't disappoint! 50 years after her murder, Kitty's brother re-looks at the facts of the case and tries to find closure. I didn't think that it mattered how many exact witnesses there were, and whether they were "eye" or "ear" witnesses. To me, people knew Kitty needed help, and they didn't help her. End of story. Looking at her mug shot always effects me greatly. And watching the re-enactment at the end, almost moved me to tears. It is a terrible case, and I hope this film does her memory justice. That poor, poor woman.
and p.s. - shame on the killer's son for making excuses during his interview. He seemed very out of touch, and sort of delusional about what happened. And playing the race card? Wow... -
James Solomon phenomenally intertwines the power of sensationalism and the devastating effects of foul journalism in an emotionally heavy, eighty-nine minute masterpiece, The Witness. By allowing America to follow Bill Genovese's personal journey to seek the truth of the brutal murder of his beloved sister, Catherine "Kitty" Genovese, Solomon taps into the minds of many viewers and allows us to question something in which we, as Americans, are unconditionally susceptible to—the press. Bill Genovese does a superb job invalidating The New York Times article. By bringing the audience alongside with him as he met Kitty's friend, Sophia Farrar, as he hired an actress to reenact the death of Kitty Genovese, or as he read the letter in which Winston Moseley falsely put together lies, the audience was able to experience the roller-coaster of emotions and perceive Kitty Genovese as a person, not just an unfortunate example of Urban Apathy. This documentary will leave you realizing that there truly is two sides of a story and by simply projecting a shoddy argument, it can impact people's lives for years. The importance of engaging in sensationalism is brought to light as you see the emotional damage left to the Genovese family. Whether it be the new generations of Genovese ignorance towards their aunt, Kitty Genovese, or Kitty's siblings inability (besides Bill) to reveal the truth, The New York Times has left a mark.
-
minterws22 January 2017The Witness is an insightful revelation to the truth behind a story that has been around for half a century. The documentary follows the journey of Bill Genovese, as he leaves no stone unturned in finding the truth of what happened the night that his sister, Kitty Genovese, was murdered in 1964. He discovers that the New York Times article describing the apathy of the Kew Gardens residents was missing many crucial details. As he continues to debunk the myths of the story, it becomes apparent that the media is more to blame than the "witnesses," most of whom did not actually see any part of the crime, but only heard bits and pieces. Bill's courageous voyage into the unknown and hidden truths is inspiring, and it encouraged me to never stop asking questions. I loved the descriptions of Kitty by her family, friends, and coworkers in personal interviews; it was great to see her depicted in a positive manner rather than as a defenseless, helpless victim, like every other media story describing her tragic death. In response to Bill's quote "I'll know when it's over"; Rest assured Bill, your story is prevailing and your voice will not be silenced! We will always keep challenging the question! Semper Fidelis, marine.
-
joeyscaffidi25 January 2017"The Witness" is definitely an emotional movie and I truly feel bad for Bill Genovese and his family.
The purpose of this documentary was to help explain what happened to Kitty Genovese. You get to see what some of the witnesses actually saw and heard during the murder. The interviews and camera work were very well done. Before I watched the movie I knew about what happened and how it really wasn't 38 eyewitnesses.
Although it was very emotional, especially the ending, I did not like the movie. I expected to end up with answers but instead felt like it just left more questions. Why investigate the murders now 50 years after the fact? Why not do it earlier, when there probably would have been more answers. It seemed that the people that turned down to be interviewed, like Moseley and Kitty's husband, had already moved on and didn't want to reopen old wounds. I feel like this movie was a waste of time as I did not learn anything knew after watching the movie and just felt bad that Bill Genovese wasn't able to get the closure he might have wanted.