Witness (1985 Film)

Witness is a thriller movie centered around a young Amish boy who has witnessed a horrible crime, and the police detective trying to protect him from the murderers. The film stars Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, and was directed by Peter Weir. It earned Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

When Amish mother Rachel Lapp (played by Kelly McGillis), takes her young son, Samuel (Lukas Haas), on a trip to visit relatives, he witnesses a homicide in the restroom of the train station. At first Rachel and Samuel cooperate fully with police in the investigation, agreeing to have Samuel serve as witness, and ID the killers. But soon it becomes clear that police corruption played a role in the crime, and it is up to lone hero cop, John Book (played by Harrison Ford) to protect the Amish mother and son.

Detective Book returns the duo to their Amish farm home, and en route receives a gunshot wound to the abdomen, inflicted by the corrupt police chief who is chasing them down (Chief Schaeffer played by Josef Sommer). John is forced to stay on the Amish farm and blend into the community while his wound heals and he figures out a way to bring the killers to justice. Along the way he discovers the beauties and simplicities of Amish life, along with a growing affection for the widowed Rachel.

• Harrison Ford as Det. Capt. John

• Kelly McGillis as Rachel Lapp

• Lukas Haas as Samuel Lapp

• Josef Sommer as Chief Paul Schaeffer

• Jan Rubes as Eli Lapp

• Viggo Mortenson as Moses Hochleitner

• Danny Glover as Det. Lt. James McFee

• Alexander Godunov as Daniel Hochletiner

• Brent Jennings as Det. Sgt. Elden Carter

• Patti LuPone as Elaine

• Angus MacInnes as Fergie

"A compelling thriller, a smoldering love story, a thoughtful study in comparative cultures, and a respectful exploration of religious community and nonviolence."—Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guidehttp://www.decentfilms.com/sections/reviews/2808

"Fish-out-of-water stories were very popular for a while in the 1980s, but none had the classical resonance of this powerful Oscar-nominated drama." —Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloidhttp://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/classic/witness.shtml

"My favourite Peter Weir film, Witness is something special...Three years after Blade Runner, Harrison Ford is at his best, while Kelly McGillis in her second film role, exudes a Grace Kelly-like serenity." —Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=13770&s=DVD