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Actors: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Witness |
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A young Amish boy witnesses a cop murdered. Another cop is sent to investigate. As he questions the boy he discovers that the killers were 2 corrupt cops. He then realizes they are after him so he hides out with the Amish boy and his mother on their farm. As he continues to hideout he starts to fall in love with the mother.
--Jack Bauer, Resident Scholar
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In this wonderfully written drama, Harrison Ford plays John Book. He's a detective who meets an Amish boy called Samuel, who witnesses a murder. John takes Samuel to the police station several times to look at possible criminals. He finally finds the murderer, who happens to be John's old partner. When he finds out about the boy finding the murderer goes after John, who decides to hide with the Amish until the trial. Now he must take their way of life, while fixing his car at the same time. He also becomes attracted to Samuel's mother, Rachel. This film is incredibly scripted, and brilliantly directed by Peter Weir. John Book is probably Harrison Ford's first big role, not counting Han Solo, and Indiana Jones.
--Estefan Ellison, Resident Scholar
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Newly-widowed Rachel Lapp, an Amish woman (McGillis), is traveling in Philadelphia with her 8-year-old son Samuel (Haas), when he accidentally witnesses the murder of an undercover narcotics agent. Samuel identifies a corrupt cop (Glover) as the killer, and wounds Detective Captain John Book (Ford) when he tries to protect the boy. Rachel and Samuel travel back to their farm in Amish country, southwestern Pennsylvania, and Book goes with them to protect the boy until the trial. Rachel's family and neighbors don't take kindly to the stranger, whose presence can only mean trouble, and Book must adjust to the strange lifestyle and the growing romantic tension between himself and Rachel. Eventually, the killers show up at the farm. This 1985 thriller was Australian director Peter Weir's first American film, and features a great story and even better acting.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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Harrison Ford brings a bit of mayhem to Amish country! On the lam as corrupt police colleagues are after him, Ford hides out with the Amish--and soon finds he has more than he can bargain for, especially when Kelly McGillis takes a fancy to him. Good look--whether it's accurate or not is something else--at the Amish, too. Peter Wier directed this thriller.
--Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Witness |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1980's-1999
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- romance (general)
Crime & Scandal
Yes
Story of
- police corruption
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Story of city/rural life?
- Small Town
Culture clash?
- being oppressed by outside culture
Culture of surrounding area:
- Amish!
Lover is...
- of a different religion
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average
Events of movie makes character more...
- caring
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard curly
Body type
- (man) average
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Movie makes you feel...
- excited
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
- seeing breasts
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Jack Bauer
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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