This action/suspense drama is set mainly in an Amish community in Pennsylvania, and it is very good. It was directed by Peter Weir (Picnic at Hanging Rock, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World). Harrison Ford received his only Oscar nomination to date for his performance here. He also shows off some of his woodworking skills; he worked as a carpenter prior to movie fame and fortune. Ford also starred in Weir's next film, The Mosquito Coast. Witness is rated R.

Oh, the beautiful scenery, the fine acting of Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, the powerful music of Maurice Jarre, and gripping plot and you have Witness. I lived in Lancaster County PA just after the movie was filmed. Everyone knew where the Witness Farm was located, (it was a real working, albeit not Amish farm) and one year the farm was opened to the public for a charity event. The music from the movie was broadcast on speakers everywhere you went and there were still shots from the movie in the buildings where the movie was filmed. I got my Witness fix there.
The end of the movie was so sad but correct- John Book said to Rachel, " I can't stay and you can't leave". Sad but true. Neither of them would have made it in the other's world.
My favorite movie. Would that we could all live so close to Nature.
Katie

I liked it - Harrison Ford is excellent. So is the little boy. Learning about the Amish was interesting.

The Amish have the right idea. This must have been what it was like before the Industrial REvolution when the technocrats began destroying the earth!

"Goodbye John Book."
Hands down the best Amish kid witnesses a murder and then the cop investigating has to hide out with the Amish and falls in love with the boy's mother, but they can never be together because they're from different worlds movie. Harrison Ford was primarily known for Indiana Jones and Han Solo at this point, so it was a bit of a departure for him. Lukas Haas is adorable as the kid, Kelly McGillis good as the Amish woman, and Danny Glover has a rare villain role. Look for Viggo Mortensen in his first film as an Amish guy. Directed by Peter Weir, who would also work with Ford in "The Mosquito Coast."

After reading the book, Amish Confidential this movie had more meaning.

It is action packed with some romance thrown in but clearly depicts the difference between "The English" and the Amish lifestyles.

In reality the events in this movie could happen in real life and force a member of the Amish into "The English" world very quickly.

Great acting by all.

Not the greatest film of all time, but if you want a good action flick for a night in, Witness delivers.

This film is alright but a bit slow. Definitely nothing great.

Once again, Harrison Ford puts on a strong performance. The whole movie is very intense with a lot of strong visuals, and the storyline is poignant as well. I recommend this to Harrison Ford fans.

Who is more effective, the Amish youth who turns the other cheek to town bullies, or the main character who continues the cycle of violence by beating the bullies into submission? At first the final scene is a surprise - but later thought makes it the "right" conclusion. This movie draws a razor-sharp contrast between pacifist and violent ways of life that can be expanded onto the stage of international relations.