Australian Peter Weir's first Hollywood film tells the story of John Book (Harrison Ford), a Philadelphia cop whose life is altered while trying to help Rachel (Kelly McGillis), an Amish woman, and her son Samuel (Lukas Haas), who witnesses a murder in a Philadelphia train station bathroom. After discovering that the murder was committed by a member of his force, Book travels to Lancaster County with Rachel and Samuel and poses as a member of the Amish community to hide from his murderous police peers. While there, love blooms between Rachel and Book, and he finds himself drawn in by the honesty and simplicity of the old-world Amish lifestyle. Fine performances and beautiful cinematography are prevalent throughout.
A romantic thriller about a tough urban cop who falls in love with an Amish women while hiding out in Pennsylvania Dutch country. When Detective John Book discovers that the police department may be responsible for the brutal murder he is investigating, Book realizes that both his life and that of Samuel Lapp, the young Amish boy who witnessed the murder, are in danger. Laying low in Lancaster County with Samuel's family, Book finds himself increasingly drawn to the boy's mother, a lovely young widow named Rachel. Though Book grows to cherish the simple ways of the Amish, the gulf between Rachel's culture and his own remains a formidable barrier to their romance.
Filmed entirely in Lancaster County and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Film Bureau Department of Commerce.
The film is in memory of Tom Scott.
Lenses and Panaflex cameras by Panavision. Scoring at Record Plant Scoring; Titles and opticals by Pacific Title; sound rerecorded at Todd-AO.
The Amish advisor was John D. King and the Amish dialect consultant was Nora Dunfee. Police advisor was Captain Eugene Dooley of the Philadelphia Police Department.
Academy Award Nominations: 8, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Harrison Ford. Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 - French
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Featurette: THE MAKING OF WITNESS
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. T.V. Spots
Director of Photography
John Seale: Director Of Photography, POSEIDON (2006)
Review 1:
"...[An] inspired film -- one of those quintessentially American movies in which story, theme and visual style coalesce; a film rich in both skill and suggestion..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.221-2 06/01/1985
Review 2:
"...A gentle, affecting story of star-crossed lovers..."
Source: Variety
01/30/1985
Review 3:
"...[McGillis] is authoritative and quietly sensual..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C1 02/08/1985
Review 4:
"...Compelling..."
Source: USA Today
p.8D 01/20/1995
Review 5:
"Showing shocking good sense, the Academy awarded Harrison Ford his only Oscar nomination for his performance as straight-laced city 'tec John Book..."
Source: Total Film
p.136 04/01/2004
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