Witness
Directed by	Peter Weir (Australian)
Produced by	Edward Feldman
Written by	Earl W. Wallace William Kelley Pamela Wallace (story)
Starring	Harrison Ford Kelly McGillis Lukas Haas Jan Rubes Josef Sommer
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	8 February 1985
Running time	112 min.
Language	English, Pennsylvania Dutch
Budget	$12,000,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

Philadelphia Portal

Witness is a 1985 movie released by Paramount Pictures, starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, and Lukas Haas. It was also the feature film debut of Viggo Mortensen, who appeared in a minor role. Directed by Peter Weir (his first American film), it was filmed in Philadelphia and Intercourse, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Rated R in USA for Language, Violence, and brief nudity. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. ... Kelly McGillis (born July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California, USA) is an American actress, whose notable movies include Witness (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), Top Gun and The Accused. ... Lukas Haas (born Lucas D. Haas on April 16, 1976) is an American actor. ... Jan Rubes (born 6 June 1920) is a Canadian bass singer and actor. ... Maximilian Josef Sommer (born 26 June 1934 in Greifswald, Germany) is a German-American film actor. ... Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and distribution company, based in Hollywood, California. ... February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Liberty Bell; public domain. ... // Back to the Future, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson Rambo: First Blood Part II, starring Sylvester Stallone Rocky IV, starring Sylvester Stallone The Color Purple, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong, Adolph Caesar Out of Africa, starring Meryl Streep and... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ... Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and distribution company, based in Hollywood, California. ... Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. ... Kelly McGillis (born July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California, USA) is an American actress, whose notable movies include Witness (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), Top Gun and The Accused. ... Lukas Haas (born Lucas D. Haas on April 16, 1976) is an American actor. ... Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. ... Peter Lindsay Weir (born August 21, 1944) is an Australian film director. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... Many Amish and Mennonite communities reside in this area Intercourse, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated village in Leacock Township, Lancaster County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ...

The film won Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Film Editing. Weir and Ford received nominations for Best Director and Best Actor respectively, and the film was nominated for Best Picture. Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ... The Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best script not based upon previously published material. ... The Academy Award for Film Editing was first given for films issued in 1934. ... The Academy Award for Directing is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; the awards are voted on by other people within the industry. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... // The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Academy Awards, awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which are voted on by others within the industry. ...

On August 23, 2005, a special collector's edition DVD was released 20 years after the film's debut. is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... DVD (Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ...

Tagline: A big city cop who knows too much. His only evidence: a small boy who's seen too much.

Plot

While visiting Philadelphia with his mother, Rachel Lapp (McGillis), an Amish widow, Samuel (Haas) witnesses a brutal murder in a restroom. When the police, led by Captain John Book (Ford), arrive at the crime scene, they learn that Samuel is the sole witness and begin to question him. Samuel knows only that there were two other men in the restroom, one of whom had a large build and was African American. Book takes Samuel to the police station to look at mugshots and suspect lineups, but to no success in identifying a suspect. But Samuel then sees a photograph of another police officer, Lt. James McFee (Danny Glover) whom he identifies to Book as the murderer. Book sees the connection with Lt. McFee remembering a drug raid under McFee's command where there was a suspicion of a police tip off. Nickname: Motto: Philadelphia maneto - Let brotherly love continue Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: , Country United States Commonwealth Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Government  - Mayor John F. Street (D) Area  - City 369. ... The Amish (Amisch or Amische) (IPA: ) are an Anabaptist Christian denomination in the United States and Canada (Ontario and Manitoba) known for their plain dress and avoidance of modern conveniences such as cars and electricity. ... A widow is a woman whose spouse has died. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Danny Lebern Glover[1] (born July 22, 1946) is an American actor and film director. ...

Aware of the danger that could result from this identification, Book hides Rachel and Samuel at the home of his sister Elaine (Patti LuPone). He confides in his mentor, Chief Paul Schaeffer (Josef Sommer), and shortly thereafter McFee attempts to murder Book at a parking garage, shooting him in the abdomen. Patti LuPone in her Tony Award winning role as Eva Perón in the Broadway musical Evita. ... Maximilian Josef Sommer (born 26 June 1934 in Greifswald, Germany) is a German-American film actor. ... A multi-storey car park is a building or part thereof which is designed specifically to be for vehicle parking and where there are a number of floors on which parking takes place. ...

Harrison Ford as John Book

Realizing that Schaeffer must be involved in the crime, Book flees with Rachel and Samuel to the farm owned by Rachel's father-in-law, Eli Lapp (Jan Rubes), in rural Lancaster. Forced to stay there both to hide from Schaeffer and McFee and because he is recovering from his gunshot wound, Book adopts Amish dress, participates in the community, and begins to fall in love with Rachel. Her father-in-law disapproves of their relationship, but Book, an amateur carpenter, fits into the community well, making toys for Samuel and helping neighbors in a barn raising. (Harrison Ford, who plays Book, is a former carpenter in real life.) Book also finds a rival in Daniel Hochleitner (Alexander Godunov), who wishes to court Rachel, but sees her interest in Book. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. ... Farms, East of Gorgan, Iran. ... Jan Rubes (born 6 June 1920) is a Canadian bass singer and actor. ... Carpenter at work in Tennessee, June 1942. ... Alexander Borisovich Godunov (Russian: Александр Борисович Годунов, 29 November 1949, Sakhalin, USSR — 18 May 1995,Los Angeles, Califorinia) was a Russian ballet dancer and actor, whose defection caused a diplomatic incident between the USA and the USSR. He joined the Bolshoi Ballet in 1971 and rose to become premier dancer before defecting to...

While visiting town, Book calls home and learns that his partner, Sgt. Carter (Brent Jennings), has been murdered. Knowing that Schaeffer was responsible, Book contacts him and Schaeffer says that he is going to kill Book, too. Upset at his partner's death, he becomes emotional when he sees some local non-Amish youths abusing his Amish companions, including Hochleitner, and gets into a fight with them. This blows his cover because the Amish are strict pacifists and do not take part in violent actions even in self-defense. Word of the unusual event spreads quickly and soon the corrupt police officers are, indeed, on their way to neutralize Book. Pacifism is opposition to the practice of war. ... Self defense refers to actions taken by a person to defend onself, ones property or ones home. ...

Book returns to the farm and begins to rebuild the birdhouse that he accidentally broke on his first day at the farm. Rachel, realizing that he is planning to leave, removes her her bonnet (symbolic of putting aside her Amish background) and runs to him in the field. They finally share a passionate kiss and embrace. Shortly afterward, the farm is invaded by Schaeffer, McFee, and another corrupt officer, Fergie (Angus MacInnes), all of whom are carrying firearms. During the attack, Book kills Fergie then shoots McFee with Fergie's gun. Samuel alerts the community by ringing the farm bell loudly and soon many Amish neighbors appear, unarmed but resolved to protect their own. Schaeffer, knowing that he cannot kill them all, realizes he has no choice but to give himself up. ... A bonnet the name of different types of headwear for men and women. ... Angus MacInnes is an American actor whos most major role was playing Gold Leader in the original Star Wars ...

After the danger has passed, Book prepares to leave the farm. He shares a quiet moment with Samuel, then exchanges a long and loving gaze with Rachel but does not say goodbye to her. Before Book gets into his car, Rachel's father-in-law tells him, "Be careful out among them English," indicating his complete acceptance of Book. ("The English" is the Amish term for non-Amish people.) As Book drives away, he waves goodbye to Hochleitner, who is walking up the road toward the Lapp farm, seemingly to resume his courtship of Rachel.

Cast

• Harrison Ford .... John Book
• Kelly McGillis .... Rachel
• Josef Sommer .... Schaeffer
• Lukas Haas .... Samuel
• Jan Rubes .... Eli Lapp
• Alexander Godunov .... Daniel Hochleitner
• Danny Glover .... McFee
• Brent Jennings .... Carter
• Patti Lupone .... Elaine
• Angus MacInnes .... Fergie
• Frederick Rolf .... Stoltzfus
• Viggo Mortensen .... Moses Hochleitner
• John Garson .... Bishop Tchantz
• Beverly May .... Mrs. Yoder
• Ed Crowley .... Sheriff
• Timothy Carhart .... Zenovich
• Sylvia Kauders .... Tourist lady
• Marian Swan .... Mrs. Schaeffer
• Maria Bradley .... Schaeffer's daughter
• Rozwill Young .... T-Bone
• Paul S. Nuss, Emily Mary Haas, Fred Steinharter, John D. King, Paul Goss, Annemarie Vallerio, Bruce E. Camburn .... Amish
• William Francis .... Town man
• Tom W. Kennedy .... Ticket seller at station
• Ardyth Kaiser, Thomas Quinn .... Couple in garage
• Eugene Dooley, Victoria Scott D'Angelo, Richard Chaves, Tim Moyer, Nino Del Buono, James Clark, Joseph Kelly, Norman Carter, Craig Clement .... Detectives
• Robert Earl Jones .... Custodian
• Michael Levering, Cara Giallanza, Anthony Dean Rubes .... Hoodlums
• Bernie Styles .... Counterman
• Bloosom Terry .... Mother in station
• Jennifer Mancuso .... Little girl

Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. ... Kelly McGillis (born July 9, 1957 in Newport Beach, California, USA) is an American actress, whose notable movies include Witness (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), Top Gun and The Accused. ... Maximilian Josef Sommer (born 26 June 1934 in Greifswald, Germany) is a German-American film actor. ... Lukas Haas (born Lucas D. Haas on April 16, 1976) is an American actor. ... Jan Rubes (born 6 June 1920) is a Canadian bass singer and actor. ... Alexander Borisovich Godunov (Russian: Александр Борисович Годунов, 29 November 1949, Sakhalin, USSR — 18 May 1995,Los Angeles, Califorinia) was a Russian ballet dancer and actor, whose defection caused a diplomatic incident between the USA and the USSR. He joined the Bolshoi Ballet in 1971 and rose to become premier dancer before defecting to... Danny Lebern Glover[1] (born July 22, 1946) is an American actor and film director. ... Patti LuPone in her Tony Award winning role as Eva Perón in the Broadway musical Evita. ... Angus MacInnes is an American actor whos most major role was playing Gold Leader in the original Star Wars ... Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. ... Will Francis Is the Vocals for the emocore band Aiden. ... Thomas Vincent Quinn (March 16, 1903 - March 1, 1982) of Jackson Heights, Queens was a U.S. Representative from New York from 1949 to 1951. ... Richard Chaves (born October 9, 1951) is an American actor born in Jacksonville, Florida. ... There have been a number of people named James Clark James Clark (Kentucky) was Governor of Kentucky from 1836 to 1839 James Clark (runner) was an early twentieth century marathon runner James H. Clark, internet entrepreneur, founder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and WebMD James Clark (XML expert) the author of... Joseph Kelly can refer to several people: Joseph J. Kelly, mayor of Buffalo, New York from 1942-1945 Joseph L. Kelly, Virginia politician Joseph Patrick Kelly, professor Category: ... Robert Earl Jones (February 3, 1910 - September 7, 2006) was an American actor and the father of movie star James Earl Jones. ...

Witness Movie Experience Tour

In 2005 – the 20th anniversary of the film's release – a Witness Movie Experience Tour was offered to tourists visiting Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ...

External links

• Witness at the Internet Movie Database
• Movie stills