Film Overview"Witness" is a 1985 American film directed by Peter Weir and starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, and Lukas Haas. This critically acclaimed thriller provides an engaging mix of romance, suspense, and an in-depth representation of Amish way of life. Ford stars as Detective John Book, who becomes progressively incorporated into the Amish neighborhood as the plot unfolds.
StorylineThe film opens with a young Amish kid, Samuel Lapp (Lukas Haas), and his mom Rachel (Kelly McGillis) visiting Philadelphia. Throughout their train station stop, Samuel witnesses a brutal murder in the washroom. He identifies 2 individuals getting away the scene, among whom he later identifies as a law enforcement officer from a photograph at the police department.
Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) takes charge of the case, acknowledging the murderer as a fellow police who is associated with a drug trafficking ring. After Book unsuccessfully tries to expose the criminal offense to his superior, who is also a part of the drug ring, he gets shot and naturally drives Samuel and Rachel back to their rural neighborhood before collapsing.
The Amish Community and RomanceAs Book recovers, he's exposed to the close-knit Amish community and their pacifist methods, which contrast with his violent city way of life. He helps the neighborhood, partaking in a barn-raising, checking out for Samuel, and helping out with farming tasks, which endears him to the neighborhood, despite their initial reservations due to his outsider status.
As Book's health slowly improves, an unmistakable romantic chemistry establishes between him and Rachel, in spite of the truth that she has actually been assured to another man, Daniel Hochleitner (Alexander Godunov). The 2 establish feelings for each other; they share a dance, a kiss, and nearly an illegal night together, however Rachel decides not to forsake the customs and standards of the neighborhood.
Climax and ConclusionThe climax arrives as the corrupt cops arrive to kill Book and silence Samuel. Reserve, forced to break the Amish guideline of non-violence to protect the community, sets clever traps for the police officers. He kills two of them but has a hard time in a battle with the senior corrupt officer, who holds Samuel at gunpoint.
Simply as the situation ends up being dire, Eli (Jan Rubes), Rachel's father-in-law, hits the corrupt officer from behind, conserving Samuel and Book. Following this, Book, understanding that he can never really belong to the Amish community, and unwilling to force Rachel to leave, decides to go back to his life in Philadelphia.
"Witness" ends with a goodbye scene in between Book and the Lapp family. While there is sadness, it's apparent that their lives have been substantially enriched by the experience. Regardless of the trials dealt with, a sense of regard and understanding of their varying worlds is clear as the screen fades.
Vital Acclaim"Witness" was applauded for its story, acting, and ingenious combining of categories. The movie primarily highlights the clash of cultures and how love can go beyond social boundaries. Harrison Ford gave a gripping performance as the embattled cop looking for haven within the tranquil Amish society. This movie was nominated for 8 Academy Awards in 1986, consisting of Best Picture and won for Best Original Screenplay and Editing, strengthening its place in cinematic history.
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