Witness

Name: Witness
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance
Released: February 8, 1985
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas

1985

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 115 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 115 Ratings

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Witness

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: February 8, 1985 | R

Starring: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas

Summary: Samuel Lap (Haas) a young Amish boy witnesses a murder while visiting Philadelphia with his mother Rachel (McGillis). Detective John Book (Ford) goes undercover in Amish country when he realizes the killer is a corrupt cop out to kill the only witness.

Director: Peter Weir

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

This is, first of all, an electrifying and poignant love story....And it is also one hell of a thriller. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Sure-footed thriller, beautifully photographed, with Ford's best performance thus far. Read full review

100

Empire Ian Nathan

Arguably Harrison Ford’s finest performance, and one of the strongest thrillers to emerge from the heady gloss of the ‘80s, this is director Peter Weir at his most adept. Read full review

Richard Schickel

Witness, which is one of the most originally conceived and gracefully made suspense dramas of recent years, to work into edgy juxtaposition the representatives of two subcultures that are ordinarily mutually exclusive. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Peter Weir, the standard-bearer of the Australian Tradition of Quality, is on hand to smother all the contrivances in his solemn, academic style, and the result is a moderately effective, highly affected thriller. Read full review

Vincent Canby

It's not really awful, but it's not much fun. It's pretty to look at and it contains a number of good performances, but there is something exhausting about its neat balancing of opposing manners and values. Read full review

Judy Stone

The new movie eloquently dramatizes the unusual cultural conflicts between contemporary, violent urban life and an archaic rural community with pacifist convictions. [08 Feb 1985]

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User Reviews

Steven1981

Mar 20, 2020

Witness made in 1985 is a thriller, mystery film and also an action type of love story aswell because the film does have some elements of love in it... It's mostly a drama type of thriller which is directed, made, executed beautifully... Storyline is not too complex if at all and HarrisonWitness made in 1985 is a thriller, mystery film and also an action type of love story aswell because the film does have some elements of love in it... It's mostly a drama type of thriller which is directed, made, executed beautifully... Storyline is not too complex if at all and Harrison Ford's character is very likeable and gives a good performance. Some Amish boy witnesses a murder in a toilet I think but don't quote me on the toilet scenario because I maybe wrong but sure the murder happened in a toilet. He gets a look at the suspect but however the suspect doesn't see him and how he gets out of the toilet and doesn't get seen is still a mystery to me. I mean the Amish boy but anyway the boy shows Book (Harrison Ford) the suspects photo and Book recognises him. Book is a cop and he takes the boy somewhere safe until later, a long wait later the badguys track them down but not before Book (Harrison Ford) and Kelly McGill is borderline more or less fall for each other lol... The action scenes are very good and Danny Glover plays a good badguy and the film has a beautiful feel to it which is impressive and is an intelligent thriller and not too over the top. Kelly McGillis lights the screen up with her beauty and Harrison Ford's character and Kelly McGillis have good chemistry when paired together that makes this film very beautiful. Only bad thing is this films a bit outdated now but remains a classic and one of Harrison Ford's better films. I don't think as far as I remember we get to learn that much about the characters in the movie but it's a good film with decent acting.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

ashraf3812

Jan 10, 2015

A subtle romance and thriller , it works perfectly on both levels . It also focus on cultural differences and how it affect or interfere our decisions . The director handles all these levels very well . The acting of Ford who at his best dramatic heroic non-fiction role of his career andA subtle romance and thriller , it works perfectly on both levels . It also focus on cultural differences and how it affect or interfere our decisions . The director handles all these levels very well . The acting of Ford who at his best dramatic heroic non-fiction role of his career and Kelly McGillis plays a simple , natural and kind of ethereal woman . It is unusual , devoid of cliches and simply great.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

MasterRiley

Apr 22, 2017

Witness is a great movie with a simple yet interesting premise about a murder that a young boy, Sam, witnesses in a bathroom. When John Book, a local police officer, arrives the boy and his mother must dedicate their time to John in order to solve the case. While at first they do not enjoyWitness is a great movie with a simple yet interesting premise about a murder that a young boy, Sam, witnesses in a bathroom. When John Book, a local police officer, arrives the boy and his mother must dedicate their time to John in order to solve the case. While at first they do not enjoy this, as time goes on they begin growing closer to one another. The movie has great characters and performances that really make you care for them and what happens to them. It also has some interesting twists and turns along the way that make this a very enjoyable movie to watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Feb 5, 2017

Witness is an incredibly methodical and thoughtful film by director Peter Weir. Described as a crime thriller, it may be more accurately described as a drama. Arriving in an Amish town after a young boy witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is forced to hideWitness is an incredibly methodical and thoughtful film by director Peter Weir. Described as a crime thriller, it may be more accurately described as a drama. Arriving in an Amish town after a young boy witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is forced to hide out with the boy's family to avoid detection from the dirty cops he has uncovered with the boy's help. Along the way, this big city cop with secular ways of doing so strikes up a romance with Rachel Lapp (Kelly McGillis), an Amish girl with limited exposure to the outside world. Though Peter Weir's film is often incredibly understated and its crime element is compelling, its musings on the difference between city life and the Amish is obvious and its ending is a bit too blunt.

First, the good. The romance between John and Rachel is subdued, restrained, and powerful. Of all the moments in this film, the simple looks between the two as the stare at one another is incredible. Weir gives us the climactic kiss, but even then, he refuses to let the lovers lose sight of reality. Instead of just having them move mountains to be together, the two are forced to face facts and realize things could never work. John is a hardened big city cop who has been raised in the world. Rachel is a woman who is Amish, she keeps the house, and she makes lemonade. That is her day. She was raised in relative seclusion in a very plain society. The two are simply too different for love to every really blossom or be prosperous between the two of them. Weir's films are often elusive to me in the pay-off, but here, this portion is so tremendously written that its subdued and grounded nature is endearing, painful, and real.

The film also benefits from great characters. John Book and Rachel Lapp makes for great and realistic lovers. But, aside from that, their characters are well developed. Book, introduced as a hard nosed city cop, is also quite gentle and caring. He is hardened to the world and carries a gun, but merely wants justice and has a clear moral compass. He is not a man that will stray from the path of justice for quick pay-offs. Rather, he will bide his time, gather evidence, and is open to believing the truth. This is underscored when young Samuel Lapp (Lukas Haas) identifies the man he saw as a killer. He accepts this and pursues it, in spite of the heat it will bring on him. For this, he is an incredibly brave man. On the flip side, Rachel is a woman that has walked with God all her life. Her husband recently died and she is Samuel's mother. She does what is expected of her and nothing more. She may be restrained and restricted, but shows that she can be a passionate person, if only her society allowed for her to be one. Unfortunately, her whole life is there and it is not something she wants to lose. This sense of being trapped by circumstances is a painful one to watch unfold, but Weir's ability to step out of focus and give to his two absolutely brilliant stars is admirable and lends the film serious gravitas.

Unfortunately, the ending does betray this somewhat. Though a reserved film, its ending is far too elaborate. It has complex choreography and set pieces as the guilty parties close in on John Book and look to silence him. It is more akin to a thriller in these sequences, which is what it is billed as, but it feels as though it betrays the essence of the first and second act. A slow, beautiful look at a man and woman from different worlds gives way to a suspenseful third act. This unfortunate diversion detracts from the overall film, but is also oddly inconclusive in the communication of its meaning. As with all "fish out of water" type films, the two sides learn from one another. John learns community, hard work, and humility. Rachel and the Amish learn about passion, know-how, and strength. It is underscored in the final sequence where John does kill the main villain. He merely takes his gun away and leaves him for the cops. In an earlier conversation, an elder explains to young Samuel that the Amish are not to kill and that guns are only meant for those who wish to kill. It is not a person's place to judge who must die and who is good or bad. We are simply ill-equipped to judge a person on those qualities. As such, John - demonstrating that he has learned - does not kill the man. Instead, the man loses out to John and the dozens of Amish men who have shown up to assist the Lapp family in their time of need. This scene is powerful and shows the strength of this community and its familial bonds. It is a sense of community and togetherness not seen in the big city. Yet, it stands juxtaposed to the scene immediately prior where John kills two other would be attackers. It may be in self-defense, but the elder Amish men made it quite clear that killing is not good regardless of whether or not it was in self-defense or to "preserve the good". So, did John learn or did he not? The film's ending is inconclusive.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

amheretojudge

Aug 22, 2018

they lost the meaning..

Witness Witness is a character driven dramatic thriller about offering justice to a crime tossed by a privileged authority in a society with the help of a culture that is mocked at. Ford accuses a character quoting, "they lost the meaning.." which is an aptthey lost the meaning..

Witness

Witness is a character driven dramatic thriller about offering justice to a crime tossed by a privileged authority in a society with the help of a culture that is mocked at.

Ford accuses a character quoting, "they lost the meaning.." which is an apt definition of this fine craft that rectifies the misunderstood and underrated ideology. Setting the plots and characters revolving around it, takes up its first act but since it is pulled off with such conviction; it is soothing. The rest of the act is about the protagonist exploring the rich rituals and methodology of Amish heritage which is beautifully depicted in here especially the construction and the food gathering. It also grows a bit lighter with few humorous sequences but isn't questionable at any point; the makers have attained a perfect balance on its intensity and its whimsicality. The love track is delicate, the chemistry is innocent, the thrill is imperishable and the action is exhilarating. The sound effects are sharp with stunning cinematography and plausible background score.

The costume and art designing is well detailed with stunning live locations and amazing camera work that offers aesthetic pleasure. The writing has a familiar structure that is off putting, but has a gripping and layered screenplay that is well constructed. Ford has never been better and convincing along with a decent support from McGillis, Sommer and Glover. The director Weir's vision is clear and has wider range that its genre gets, and the ability to execute it, is all skill. A mild romantic touch, an innocent survival spirited premise and a poetic note that it ends on are the high points of the feature. Witness is a dish served with varieties of ingredients added in it, and yet it doesn't spoil the appetize since it is perfectly cooked.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BigZ

Sep 2, 2014

This wasn't what I expected. Much more romantic drama than action and suspense. It's an odd combination that I felt squeaked like bad breaks at some points but the story is not without its charm. You can't help but feel concern for the little boy and the predicament of this Amish family.This wasn't what I expected. Much more romantic drama than action and suspense. It's an odd combination that I felt squeaked like bad breaks at some points but the story is not without its charm. You can't help but feel concern for the little boy and the predicament of this Amish family. Harrison Ford brought his A game though. There was a good gradual feel that he delivered that created the tension between him and Rachel. You actually wanted them to get together because they actually had a genuine connection that grew and developed. But it was a Tarzan type romance. They were from two worlds and it really showed. Maybe if what I was expecting to happen wasn't squashed so bad I'd rate this better but still overall it didn't mesh so great with me. Solid for its time and worth a try though.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

elitefour

Jan 10, 2016

Most of the film is set of an Amish community,which in my opinion wasn´t the best choice for a Crime Thriller.
There is no Real Danger,it´s not gritty and very violent as i expected. And harrison ford was not so intereseting as a character,i haven´t learn anything about him (about his pastMost of the film is set of an Amish community,which in my opinion wasn´t the best choice for a Crime Thriller.
There is no Real Danger,it´s not gritty and very violent as i expected. And harrison ford was not so intereseting as a character,i haven´t learn anything about him (about his past or experience as a cop)
The amish and the main villain weren´t interesting either...at the end,witness recieved too much praised and not many criticism for it´s simplicity.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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