Witness

1985, Crime/Drama, 1h 52m

42 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A wonderfully entertaining thriller within an unusual setting, with Harrison Ford delivering a surprisingly emotive and sympathetic performance. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

After witnessing a brutal murder, young Amish boy Samuel (Lukas Haas) and his mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis) seek protection from police officer John Book (Harrison Ford). When Book uncovers evidence of police corruption involving narcotics lieutenant James McFee (Danny Glover), Book must take Rachel and Samuel, and flee to the Amish countryside where Rachel grew up. There, immersed in Amish culture and tradition, Book and Rachel begin a cautious romance.

Cast & Crew

Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Det. Capt. John Book
Kelly McGillis
Kelly McGillis
Rachel Lapp
Alexander Godunov
Alexander Godunov
Daniel Hochleitner
Josef Sommer
Josef Sommer
Chief Paul Schaeffer
Lukas Haas
Lukas Haas
Samuel Lapp
Jan Rubes
Jan Rubes
Eli Lapp
Danny Glover
Danny Glover
Det. Lt. James McFee
Patti LuPone
Patti LuPone
Elaine
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen
Moses Hochleitner
Peter Weir
Peter Weir
Director
Pamela Wallace
Pamela Wallace
Screenwriter
Earl W. Wallace
Earl W. Wallace
Screenwriter
William Kelley
William Kelley
Screenwriter
Edward S. Feldman
Edward S. Feldman
Producer
David Bombyk
David Bombyk
Co-Producer
Wendy Stites
Wendy Stites
Associate Producer
Maurice Jarre
Maurice Jarre
Original Music
John Seale
John Seale
Cinematographer
Thom Noble
Thom Noble
Film Editing
Dianne Crittenden
Dianne Crittenden
Casting
Stan Jolley
Stan Jolley
Production Design
John Anderson
John Anderson
Set Decoration
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News & Interviews for Witness

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Critic Reviews for Witness

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (3)
Full Review… Ed Potton Times (UK) Full Review… Nick Roddick Sight & Sound Full Review… Paul Attanasio Washington Post Full Review… Pauline Kael New Yorker Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Full Review… Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Full Review… S. Jhoanna Robledo Common Sense Media Full Review… Matthew Pejkovic Matt's Movie Reviews Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com
View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for Witness

  • Feb 16, 2021
    Big city police detective (Harrison Ford) hides out on an Amish farm while investigating a dangerous bit of a police corruption scandal. The sparks fly in this deceptively amiable fish-out-of-water tale when the farmer's daughter (Kelly McGinnis) takes notice of how well the big city boy compares with the usual "plain" local variety farm boys. Like a nice homemade sandwich on a perfect Sunday afternoon this becomes a satisfying treat of a film.
    Super Reviewer
  • Sep 21, 2018
    Even if it feels like the plot drags for too long in an effort to build a bucolic romance in its second act, this is a engaging thriller that offers a very respectful look at a secluded community, with a suspenseful climax and Harrison Ford in one of his finest performances.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 21, 2016
    Ford is very good but the romance, complete with that awful "exposure" scene, is so unconvincing that I've never been inclined to like this movie all that much.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 30, 2014
    I am sure that it impressed when it was released, however today Witness feels very dated, slow, and a bit underwhelming. Nonetheless, one can appreciate the film for its unique storyline, even if the quality of the film doesn't do it justice. I was expecting more. Harrison Ford does impress, as he always does, but no real surprises here.
    Matthew Samuel M Super Reviewer
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