80. A well executed and entertaining thriller, with a slightly nostalgic atmosphere. Only bad thing is this films a bit outdated now but remains a classic and one of Harrison Ford's better films. But it was a Tarzan type romance. Much more romantic drama than action and suspense. Even 17 years after its initial release, it seems to still stand up with themes that truly speak. A police investigation into a brutal murder provides this drama with its momentum and drive and a tragic romantic tale adds the intensity, warmth and poignancy that elevates this movie to a higher level than that normally achieved by more routine thrillers. . While at first they do not enjoy I mention this scene because it best reveals the true character of the movie Witness, which is not so much a police drama, but a film about one man's introspection. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Pour son premier film américain, on peut dire que l’australien Peter Weir a réussi un coup de maître : tout en adoptant l’enveloppe très hollywoodienne d’un film policier, il a su conserver une approche toute personnelle et son attrait pour les civilisations perdues ou isolées. Mortensen's barely evident in the role out here,although had his eventual success as Aragorn in "Lord of the Rings" ........ After Star Wars & Indiana Jones,Ford succeeded in a serious role and his multi-layered performance earned him his only Oscar Nomination till date.Well directed Romantic Thriller by Peter Weir (Director of Dead poet's Society and Truman Show) that earned him his first Academy Award Nomination. Witness review by Steven1981 - 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… There is a standard cliché in many action movies, in which a protagonist, having stoically endured the abuse of a bully or bullies, finally reaches his boiling point, lashes out, and gives the antagonist his comeuppance, usually to the delight of the audience. 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. 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. I can't really comment on the representation of the Amish, but I appreciated the respect given to them. | It also has some interesting twists and turns along the way that make this a very enjoyable movie to watch. Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel: Season 1. Witness is a great movie with a simple yet interesting premise about a murder that a young boy, Sam, witnesses in a bathroom. Genres: Crime, Thriller, Romance, Drama. Along with these admirable qualities, it is also suggested that they can be small-minded, gossipy, and somewhat smug and defensive about their beliefs and way of life. The one scene that I clearly remember is when young Samuel is in the police station with John Book. "Witness" is a subtle, thoughtful and intelligently directed film which is both a crime thriller and an extraordinary love story. Starring Louis Koo, Jessica Hsuan, Louis Cheung, Cherry Ngan, Deep Ng. It is a question that 'Witness' doesn't attempt to resolve, and in this case, the ambiguity adds depth to a very thoughtful and satisfying movie. You want to know how to make a successful movie? However, it's clear he doesn't fit in, especially when a gang of prejudiced punks insult his hosts and the hot-headed cop is … The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91% approval rating for all critics, based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. Words: 2861; Category: Film; Pages: 11; Get Full Essay. Solid for its time and worth a try though. When a young Amish boy is sole witness to a murder, policeman John Book goes into hiding in Amish country to protect him until the trial. You can't help but feel concern for the little boy and the predicament of this Amish family. Arriving in an Amish town after a young boy witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is forced to hide. You actually wanted them to get together because they actually had a genuine connection that grew and developed. Most of the film is set of an Amish community,which in my opinion wasn´t the best choice for a Crime Thriller. Its wonderfully told unique spin on a genre that is well crafted from all corners, highly recommend. When one considers the cloistered, confined life they lead, this shouldn't be surprising; one might compare the Amish village to any small American town where everyone knows everyone else and people are forever talking behind each other's back. Their worlds are seperated by a cultural gulf. The Witness for the Prosecution thrusts its star into the spotlight with a systematically crafted script, expertly executed performances, and engaging acerbity. By his own wits he saves himself from the scary murderer McFee (Danny Glover). He questions Rachel and Samuel. Witness is an incredibly methodical and thoughtful film by director Peter Weir. FAQ The plot is good it’s a effective and engaging story. 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. 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. Share This! It's suspenseful and artistully beautiful at the right times. This film has everything, from violence to tender romance. Though it obeys some of the Hollywood formulas, "Witness" proves to be one of the most entertaining, exciting thrillers of all time! 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 . Rachel dutifully goes through the motions required by her position but it is obvious she is forever wondering what it would be like to live in the outside world. It's very good, maybe even great. With Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Josef Sommer. Detective John Book (Ford) goes undercover in Amish country when he realizes the killer is a corrupt cop out to kill the only witness. about 10 hours ago An Executive Producer Recommends Three Films to Watch for Black History Month: Passing, A Most Beautiful Thing and Mr. 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. | Harrison Ford brought his A game though. There was a good gradual feel that he delivered that created the tension between him and Rachel. He is a man who at first glance has no matching ideals. While at first they do not enjoy. 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. 'Witness' is about a guy who is a total product of the big city - he's a tough cop, he relies on cars, phones, and guns - who hides at an Amish farm to prevent a boy (the witness) and himself from being found by the killers. It almost helps pin point the story. The director handles all these levels very well . Described as a crime thriller, it may be more accurately described as a drama. Starring: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas. Directed by Peter Weir. It's an odd combination that I felt squeaked like bad breaks at some points but the story is not without its charm. Here we have both a suspense murder mystery, yet also a story of hard work and preservation. Witness is as much about the meeting of cultures as about cops and robbers, this is one of those lucky movies which works out well on all counts and shows that there are still craftsmen lurking in Hollywood. The acting of Ford who at his best dramatic heroic non-fiction role of his career and. Kelly McGillis is the film's intelligent and talented secret weapon. film review trailer interview: Ken Loach interview: Rebecca O’Brien film profile]), a lawyer who knows the Pantic case very well, decides to leave for Former Yugoslavian in search of the only man capable of exposing and publicly accusing the colonel. In a very short amount of time, the impact left is impressive. Get Access. Witness Review When a young Amish boy, travelling with his mother, witnesses a murder at railway station, Detective John Book realises the perpetrators were corrupt policemen. Nominated for five more Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Harrison Ford, and Best Director Peter Weir. Alexander Godunov, who later played the murderous Karl in "Die Hard", makes his debut here as an Amish farmer who is, Ford's romantic rival for Kelly. As Rachel, Kelly McGillis has one of her best roles and gives it a multi-layered interpretation. From a photograph, Samuel fingers McFee, among others a corrupt cop. Officer John Book (Harrison Ford)is assigned to the case. 104 mins. This, perhaps, reflects rather negatively on my film-buff credentials, but the film's opening act mounted the tension so brilliantly that it was a pity to see that suspense slowly dissipate into the background. Eyewitness (1981) Rated R 102 minutes Directed by Peter Yates; Latest blog posts. Weir Directed the 'The Year of Living Dangerously', and 'The Truman Show'. 'Witness' provides a glimpse into Amish society that seems genuine and well-detailed. Witness is a great movie with a simple yet interesting premise about a murder that a young boy, Sam, witnesses in a bathroom. It’s a case of one-shot blends into the next, one scene looks the same as the other, with little invention in composition or lighting. I won't begin to wonder what would have caused this change of pace, but it was quite a surprise to see. 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. Then it is a movie about the choices we make in life and the choices that other people make for us. On a trip to the city her little boy witnesses a murder in the restroom of a train station. Christopher Plummer: 1929-2021. about 10 hours ago Sundance 2021: All Light, Everywhere, Users, Rebel Hearts, Bring Your Own Brigade. This film’s director and it’s star alone had me excited about watching it. Read critic reviews You might also like The grandfather asks Samuel if he would kill anyone, and the boy responds, "I would only kill the bad man." Makes it feel very real. The bad guys try to set up Book for a hit, but fail (although he is wounded by McFee). In my oppinion this is the best movie ever made. Action / Adventure, Crime, Drama, Films, Hong Kong, Recommended posts, Reviews A Witness Out Of The Blue Wednesday, 10 February, 2021 Nicholas Olczak. You have tremendous suspense, a top-flight popular actor as the hero, a touching romance story, plenty of action, a different kind of setting than normal, people you care about, nice photography, very moral and very immoral people, a little humor.....I mean, this is how it's done. Eli bids Book goodbye for his return to Philadelphia, saying "You be careful out among the English [i.e., non-Amish]", as he had said to Rachel at the beginning of the film, and showing Book that he now respects him like the people of his own faith. The story about two people from different backgrounds who fall in love, but know that their love can't transcend their circumstances, has a timeless and universal appeal which explains why this movie has retained its popularity so consistently since it was first released in 1985. A superb film. The new movie eloquently dramatizes the unusual cultural conflicts between contemporary, violent urban life and an archaic rural community with pacifist convictions. It makes the story that much more I interesting, as it seems that Harrison Ford's hard-boiled detective has to try and understand this alternate lifestyle in order to protect them from the danger of the outside world. This wasn't what I expected. Witness is not your average action movie drama; this film takes the viewer deep into the heart of Amish country. Andy Webster Jun 2, 2016. Her performance makes me wonder where she is these days. | The contrasts are drawn clearly between the quaint honesty and almost dreamlike serenity of the Amish, and the horrible violence intruding upon them from the outside world. Book isn't a guy who can't live without technology and learns something about himself by living with the Amish. Although, it does offer some insight on the Amish way of life and how one man can uproot it all. Also making his debut here is a much younger Viggo Mortensen as another Amish father. Directed by Fung Chih-chiang. At one point, Samuel's grandfather attempts to explain to him why they feel the way they do, using Book's gun as a reference, since it epitomizes the evil of taking another's life. While in the men's washroom at the Philadelphia station, young Samuel witnesses a brutal murder. Pendant le trajet, Samuel est étonné de voir des gens et ce monde si différents de lui. He is hurt in a shootout and hides with the Amish. After her husband's premature death, a young Amish woman, Rachel Lapp (Kelley McGillis), takes her son Samuel (Lukas Haas) on a train trip to Baltimore. The only witness is the son of an Amish widow, played by Kelly McGillis. The director handles all these levels very well . 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. A young Amish boy called Samuel is witness to a brutal murder in a toilet at a train station. Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming... What to Watch Now: Best New Streaming Movies & TV at Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, and Hulu. | This film is a different kind of thriller in more ways than one. Check box if your review contains spoilers. We get a nice look at the life of the Amish and of their traditions and customs. Described as a crime thriller, it may be more accurately described as a drama. Only by psychologically playing one gang member against the others is the man able to bring the police to his rescue. The film is powerful, assured, full of beautiful imagery and devoid of easy moralising, which is good. Police investigator Harrison Ford finds himself targeted along with the boy by corrupt cops in his unit that did the murder. Awards Not the case in "Witness". Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. The movie has great characters and performances that really make you care for them and what happens to them. When Book gets too close to the truth, the crooked cops try to kill him, forcing Book to take it on the lamb and hide out in the Amish country. A romantic thriller. (who would later star with pretty boy Cruise in "Top Gun"). It is unusual , devoid of cliches and simply great. Beginning review – a Jehovah's Witness under attack in Georgia. Outside of the well-known stars (Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Danny Glover) look for brilliant work from Josef Sommers and an amazingly understated performance by the late Alexander Godunov. The resolution of the story should not be given away to someone who has not seen the movie. February 5, 2021. Directed by: Peter Weir. I love movies that have a certeinnoevel of a juxtaposition. it's just perfect. External Reviews Just look here. An attraction naturally develops between the McGillis and Ford charactors. Alors que Rachel attend à la gare de la 30e rue, à Philadelphie, Samuel en profite pour utiliser les toilettes des … Looking for something good to watch at home? This leads Book to uncover massive corruption in the police department and he himself is almost killed for discovering it, which leads the three of them back to the Amish community where Book hides out while recovering from his gunshot wound and trying to figure out what to do next. Jan Rubeš, Danny Glover, Josef Sommer, Alexander Godunov, Patti LuPone, and Viggo Mortensen appear in supporting roles. Such an appeal, however, seems quite groundless where director Peter Weir is concerned; given my previous experience with his work, both in Australian cinema (the classic war picture, 'Gallipoli (1981)') and following his move to Hollywood (the uplifting 'Dead Poet's Society (1989)'), Weir has always favoured emotion and human interaction over the raw thrill of adrenalin-charged action. 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. As Book drives away from the Lapp farm, he passes Hochleitner, presumably on his way to court Rachel, and exchanges an amicable wave of farewell. It's an interesting combination and while it might not work for those who like pure thrillers or dramas it certainly worked for me. He obtains a child witness for the homicide of a police officer, but then discovers that other officers were involved in the crime. Witness is a great movie with a simple yet interesting premise about a murder that a young boy, Sam, witnesses in a bathroom. I don't even know if action is the right word. An Amish boy, Samuel (Lukas Haas) witnesses the murder of a police officer. A great scene in a great movies. The story focuses on a detective (Harrison Ford) protecting a young Amish boy who becomes the target of a ruthless killer after he witnesses a brutal murder. A Witness Out of the Blue is a thriller; for me that intones good film-making technique and establishment of atmosphere. Witness is a 1985 American neo-noir crime drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, and Lukas Haas. Peter Weir is a favorite director of mine, mainly for his life changing films (for the viewer and the characters alike), like "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "Fearless" ... and I have sadly waited a very long time to get around to this one. Book is initially perplexed by their choices, but gradually comes to appreciate their quiet ways. The boy responds, "I can see what they do. After seeing it maybe 10 times, I find it is one of those infrequent stories that still draws my attention. I would like to clear up a couple of comments made by movieguy1021, who wrote: I daresay that I would have enjoyed 'Witness (1985)' even more had it remained a conventional mystery thriller. From her window, Cheryl Draper (Barbara Stanwyck) sees a neighbor, Albert Richter (George Sanders), murder a young woman. An interesting subplot in all this is how the Amish's pacifism comes into play when faced with violence. The film is fantastic … Hong Kong Reviews • Reviews Film Review: A Witness Out of The Blue (2019) by Fung Chih-chiang. It's makers kept it intelligent, instead of resorting to another pyrotechnic joyride. Get access to this section to get all the help you need with your essay and educational goals. I have to give it up for Peter Weir! Soul! His bosses want to silence him and he his forced to go into hiding in the Amish community. Book and Rachel build up a subtle rapport, where thoughts and feelings are simply understood rather than openly expressed. McFee had stolen large quantities of a chemical substance used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. User Ratings In one of the many special moments in Witness, such a confrontation between a hero and a villain ultimately does not deliver the expected emotional pay-off; surprisingly, the hero's violence calls his character into question, and the villain gains our sympathy. Do watch this one for great Cinematography and Artwork. 'Witness' is a remarkably intelligent movie! I just recently watched this movie in my Development of Film class. 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. This is the Harrison Ford school of acting. I mean the Amish boy but anyway the boy shows Book (Harrison Ford) the suspects photo and Book recognises him. Weir's first film set in America explores a theme familiar from his earlier work: the discovery of an all but forgotten culture in modern society: in this case We're studying the Social Drama. An earlier comment on the site suggests that the film is flawed because the Amish boy, coming from a secure, peaceful environment, would not be able to witness a scene of brutality without becoming utterly traumatised. 犯罪現場.Hong Kong 2019. They are drawn by each other, and respect one another. Josko (Kresimir Mikic) is a Croatian soldier recently returned from the front lines of the Serbian-Croatian conflict. Metacritic Reviews. Or, in Book's case, to bring him in to live in hers. 5 Min Read. I have seen it." One can sense just below the surface a resentment in her at her lot in life as an Amish woman. Add Comment. The Observer Drama films. He wears Amish clothes, and labors with the men of the community as he rebuilds his strength. Facebook Twitter Reddit. Adriana Rosati. They set up that Book needs a kid and a wife but he doesn't get with the girl at the end. This beautiful love story contrasts corruption with goodness. The story involves a police captain named John Book. This is, first of all, an electrifying and poignant love story. B . Witness is a good movie. It holds up very well. In my scoring, I took away one star because the ending, while exciting, was highly improbable and suggested that the filmmakers struggled to know how to end it. „Witness" works on 3 levels – as a thriller , drama and romance. The crime story is nothing more than a pretense - a "MacGuffin", in Hitchcock's phrase - on which to hang this sensitive and insightful story of the conflict between modernity and the culture of the Amish, which is portrayed here with admiring respect and not a hint of condescension. She is an Amish widow from a rural Amish community. 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. So the question that hangs in the air is, does Samuel become corrupted from what he's seen, or has he simply been exposed to the real world and become better able to deal with it, even at his young age? Samual sees the photo of the murderer McFee. Please enter your birth date to watch this video: You are not allowed to view this material at this time. After being attacked and suffering a bullet wound, he flees into the countryside and submerges into the Amish community. Rated the #70 best film of 1985, and #5904 in the greatest all-time movies (according to RYM users). The website's critical consensus reads, "The Witness can't hope to truly untangle the true crime case at its center, but offers a series of fascinating — and troubling — insights in the attempt." 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. He did a spectacular job! A subtle romance and thriller , it works perfectly on both levels . Detective John Book (Harrison Ford), summoned to the murder scene, perceives that the dead man is an undercover cop. The thriller elements of the movie appear at the beginning and the ending of the movie, while the middle of the film is basically a drama with a love story in it. 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. This is, first of all, an electrifying and poignant love story....And it is also one hell of a thriller. This is one of those movies whose virtues and subtleties become more and more apparent with subsequent viewings. The Witness functions as a project of not only confrontation but resurrection, as Bill’s sleuthing sheds new light on Kitty’s personality, romances and career, and thus finally re-emphasizes her as a flesh-and-blood person rather than just a famous victim. This is a profound and exciting thriller. 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. Only then is it a thriller - one that Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud to make. It's an odd combination that I felt squeaked like bad breaks at some points but the story is not without its charm. Witness is a well made fish-out-of-water story, contrasting the violence and complications of the big city with the simpler lifestyle of the Amish, who decline modern technology. Fords performance is also wonderfully vulnerable And full of r age. 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. Samuel Lap (Haas) a young Amish boy witnesses a murder while visiting Philadelphia with his mother Rachel (McGillis). Harrison Ford is very good in his role, and Danny Glover is perfect as the crooked cop. The Witness for the Prosecution, an atmospheric and finely acted little gem, should go down just right. There he is the sole witness to a brutal murder and both he and Rachel are detained by police officer John Book (Ford) for questioning. Witness comes billed as a thriller, but it's so much more than a thriller that I wish they hadn't even used the word "murder" in the ads. Even as it stands, 'Witness' deserves to be celebrated for its strong performances, sensitive screenplay and thoughtful exploration of the contrast between the pacifism of the Amish people and the violence and corruption of 1980s mainstream America. It's not really awful, but it's not much fun. His investigation leads to corruption and crime within the police force. Won Oscars for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, and Best Editing. I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of films, and when asked which is my favorite my decision keeps coming back to "Witness," Australian director Peter Weir's masterpiece. Kelly McGillis, in her first movie, without the benefit of dialogue, smoldered. Adriana Rosati. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is obviously a deeply-held belief that some will find admirable and others unfathomable. The intriguing contrast between mainstream American society and the elusive Amish culture is the main thing that differentiates Witness from other films. Ford is Chicago Detective John Book, assigned to investigate a murder that was committed by crooked cop Danny Glover. You can't help but feel concern for the little boy and the predicament of this Amish family. Fabulously acted, beautifully photographed . [08 Feb 1985]. Aware that he is the only witness against them, the gang members seek out his identity and terrorize him and his family to keep him from testifying against them. 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.