Eyewitness (Øyevitne) DVD Review

5 stars for this compelling and controversial crime drama.

Written and directed by Jarl Emsell Larsen (Codename Hunter), Eyewitness is the latest Nordic Noir crime drama to hit the shores of the UK.

Made in Norway, it is a fast paced, hard hitting and uncompromising look at the world of organised crime and corruption in Norway.

Eyewitness is the story of a murder investigation, told from the perspective of two young boys who witness the killings first hand. Henning (Odin Waage) and Philip (Axel Bøyum) are school friends and neighbours who find themselves one night at the shack at the local quarry, exploring their relationship and sexuality, as they often do.

They are rudely interrupted by the arrival of a car, containing four men. Before their eyes, a deadly gun battle ensues, and when the perpetrator heads for the shack they attempt to hide, only escaping due to Hennings quick thinking. They take the gun and dispose of it in the river and make a solemn pact to tell no-one of what they saw, as they cannot have anyone knowing why they were there.

That may prove difficult however, given that Philip is the foster child of the local Sheriff, Helen (Anneke von der Lippe – Troubled Water, Barbara) and her husband. Help for the operation arrives in the form of Lars (Tobias Santelmann – Hercules, Escape) and Camilla (Yngvild Støen Grotmol – Schmokk), who had been working with one of the dead men, a biker from the gang The Ferrymen, an informant whose identity they must keep secret at all costs.

The investigation changes tack altogether however with the installation of a new police chief in Oslo, Ronny Berg Larsen (Per Kjerstad – Fallen Angels, Fatso) who wants to shift the emphasis towards the ever escalating gang war between the Sixers and the Z gang.

There is very little that can be said without giving something away and so I shall leave it there. The suspense is palpable throughout and there are so many surprises and twists that it’s actually quite tiring at times. At no point did I accurately predict what was coming next, even when I thought I was completely sure about it.

The acting is excellent from all concerned and they are not afraid to cover controversial topics, ranging from paedophiles to underage gay relationships. They are dealt with in a no nonsense fashion, but it is still quite shocking nevertheless.

It boasts a beautiful and haunting theme song, Saviour Unknown by Shaun Bartlett, which sets the scene perfectly at the beginning of each episode and eases you down after each ever more shocking conclusion.

This is a brilliant piece of storytelling, intelligent and well written, well worth adding to your collection and one to watch again and again.