User reviews

From the perspective of 2003, the saddest thing about this very downbeat picture is that it could never get made as a commercial production these days - certainly not with a middle-aged and far from beautiful character player in the lead. Although its structure relies on two large implausibilities, the story, characters and motivations are unashamedly adult and human: Zigzag takes life seriously, and when was the last mainstream picture you saw that did that?

The versatile and sympathetic heavy George Kennedy (if I'm ever on a passenger plane that's in trouble, I'd want him at the controls) gives an honest, understated performance as a flawed family man who takes a desperate road to a strange kind of redemption. The way he does that would have made a terrific lower-depths 1940s noir for a second-division star like Dana Andrews or Edmond O'Brien, but Zigzag loses nothing from its setting in the less obviously cinematic milieu of respectable lower-middle-class life in an up-and-up America that was just beginning to turn Dayglo.

I don't say it's a neglected classic - there's not the slightest touch of humour, the supporting cast aren't trying very hard, and the look of the film is reminiscent of an old episode of Kojak (so are most of the actors). Zigzag is just a solid piece of grown-up dramatic entertainment whose modest ambitions are positively Shakesperean compared to almost anything you could get insulted by at your local multiplex this weekend.

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.

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 thriller had all but been forgotten until it was recently resurrected on Turner Classic Movies, where I finally got to watch it. It has a neat premise - a dying man decides to frame himself for a kidnapping/murder so that his wife will get the reward money... but complications happen. The movie is never boring, and George Kennedy and Eli Wallach both give solid performances. Also, there is an ending that you probably couldn't get away with in a Hollywood movie today. It's a good movie, though there are a few things holding it back from greatness. The direction and feel of the movie come across more like what you'd expect for a television show of the era. Also, the movie is a little slow. I am not demanding breakneck speed, but I think the movie could have been tightened a little. It's still worth seeing, and women may get some extra enjoyment out of it because Kennedy appears nude in one scene.

The premise is familiar -- guy learns he's going to die, tries to find a way to leave his family provided for -- but it's presented in an interesting manner here, with Kennedy an appealing if unlikely lead. All goes well until the ending, which is so outrageously wrong for the movie that it completely sinks the film. A surprise ending is generally something many thrillers try for, but it has to be a surprise ending that satisfies the audience on some level, not one that throws the whole story back in their faces.

Implausible, unsuspenseful, and just plain boring. If not for George Kennedy's near-nude scenes, This could have been a below average TV movie. Apparently, the producers felt that showing his bare rear end would be incentive to pay to see this in theaters. It really didn't do a thing for me.

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.

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.

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.

Unique, in that I can't recall seeing it elsewhere. Once into it, you develop empathy for the main characters. And suspicions arise for peripheral players.

There are hundreds of lesser efforts on tv each week. If you are stuck for an interesting, "who done it," onr rainy night.......give it a try.