Zig zag (Falso testimonio)

Paul Cameron (George Kennedy) is a new arrival in prison. He has terminal brain cancer. It turns out that he had framed himself for a crime he didn't commit to collect the $250k reward money for his family. His problem starts when he gets cured. He has to escape from prison and solve his own case.

I got lost in his case and I don't who are any of these characters. I could barely follow the murder case and it ends in a wacky slow motion action-rama. I do like the general premise but it's told in a confused manner. The flashbacks only add to the issue. I'm so lost that I missed his cancer cure. This doesn't engage me and I lose track of the plot. I'm still willing to follow George Kennedy mainly for the actor. I'm lost.

False witness is an intricate thriller that keeps you guessing all the way through.

The plot unfolds beautifully and out of sequence.

I really don't understand all the negativity about this film for it really is a good watch.

Production values are top notch, as are the performances of the leading characters.

False witness aka zig zag is an excellent thriller. Don't believe the negative reviews.

George Kennedy is an unusual actor for me. He is largely forgotten, yet has an Oscar to his name. He's in many of the films everyone remembers well, such as The Dirty Dozen, Airport and The Naked Gun, and yet he rarely catches the limelight as the leading man. He's also supremely talented, without ever appearing to be trying hard.

In this superior thriller, he plays a man who discovers that he has a brain tumour. He arranges his own death, so that his wife can claim the insurance money. However, just as his plan is about to kick into action, he learns that he has been mis-diagnosed and that, in fact, he is not dying at all.

This film stays one step ahead of the audience at all points. It is ingenious and interesting throughout, and has the added benefit of being a touch different to the majority of hard-boiled thrillers from this period. Perhaps it gets over-complex, and the downbeat ending is typical of the time. Nevertheless, this is a good film, and like some of the other user's who have reviewed it I am very baffled as to why it is unavailable on video.

This is currently on TCM and I tried hard but could only make it 30 minutes in. The directing and photography are the WORST I've ever seen. Do you enjoy extreme close ups of every single thing imaginable? Then maybe this movie is for you. Yes as several have mentioned You see Kennedy's ass and its totally unneeded. I do enjoy George Kennedy but he's best as a 2nd or 3rd character. He just can't carry a movie as a leading man.

George Kennedy plays what may well be his best performance as a man who frames himself for a crime he didn't commit so his wife can benefit from the reward money, and then becomes enmeshed in a complex and gripping spiral of events after he discovers he is not going to die after all. Anyone who enjoys thrillers will enjoy this film, and it is a mystery to me why it is not available in video.