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Witness
(1985)
A big city cop. A small country boy. They have nothing in
common ...but a murder.
Director: Peter Weir, rated R for language, police
violence
  Starring: Harrison
Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Jan Rubeš, Danny Glover, Josef
Sommer, Alexander Godunov, Brent Jennings, Patti LuPone
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"No, no
hospital... gunshot wound, they have to file a report. And if
they file a report, they find me.
And if they find me, they find
the boy." – John Book
Why watch this?
It is a brilliant film juxtaposing the
peaceful Amish
culture against urban violence.
Plot Summary: When a
young Amish boy witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, a detective
goes undercover in the boy's rural Amish community to protect
him from the killers. The detective must navigate the unfamiliar
world of the Amish while trying to identify and avoid the
dangerous individuals responsible for the crime. The film
explores the stark contrast between the detective's violent
world and the peaceful, traditional Amish lifestyle.
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Dad's Preview:
Using the
Pennsylvania Amish community as the backdrop for a crime
thriller was an incredible idea.
This is one of Harrison
Ford's best acting efforts as a tough Philly detective, John
Book, who is
forced to hide himself in the home of
an Amish family. The boy witnessed a murder in the train station
restroom, and this has uncovered corruption in Book's own police department. The
film is both warm and pleasant, yet extremely intense at times. An incredible musical score enhances
the idyllic countryside scenes. This masterpiece received 8 Oscar nominations (winning Best Screenplay and Best
Editing). |
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Edward S. Feldman
Prod.; Paramount Pics
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