Witness (1985) Movie REACTION! 

A really good Harrison Ford movie that has sadly been overlooked is one called, "Regarding Henry". Well worth a look.

Hell yes!!!! It's about time someone reacted to this gem of a movie.

The Amish speak "Pennsylvania Dutch" a language offshoot of German. When they remarked about "The English" they really meant the English speaking people who were around their somewhat reclusive world.

One of my favorite movies. The end when the bell rings and they all come running gets me choked up every time.

“REGARDING HENRY” starring Harrison Ford is very good too!! Different from his other movies but great story and acting!!

Rachel, although she was tempted, could not leave her world to live in John’s world. She may have been quite assertive and independent compared to other Amish women, but she was still fully Amish. She couldn’t take her son away from the only world he’s ever known.

This was sadly Harrison Ford's first and only Oscar nominated performance of his esteemed career.

In preparation for her role, Kelly McGillis lived with an actual Amish widow and her seven children for a while before filming began to get the speech cadence down and to observe the daily life of an Amish widowed mother. As realistic as the actors playing background roles as Amish people are, no actual Amish were in the film because they do not (as correctly stated in the movie) like to be photographed. They were intensely interested in the filming, though, and many Amish people were often out of camera range politely watching the filming. Harrison Ford joined the Philadelphia Police Department in preparation for the movie. He even joined them on numerous raids. The statue that Samuel examines in the train station is a real monument in Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. It is a memorial to the men and women of the Pennsylvania Railroad who died during World War II. Its official title is "Angel of the Resurrection", and it is a depiction of the Archangel Michael lifting a deceased soldier from the battlefield. Walker Hancock was the sculptor; it was dedicated in August 1952, and as of June 2012, still stands on the east side of the station's main concourse. Kelly McGillis was working in a Greenwich Village coffeehouse when she got the part. Harrison Ford and Peter Weir went there to see her, and offer her the role. An actual barn was built as a result of shooting the barn-raising scene. Unfortunately, the barn was torn down shortly afterwards. Since the Amish community declined to be in the film, a lot of the extras were played by Mennonites.

Glad you've found this wonderful movie. The barn raising scene is my favorite in all of cinema.

Having grown up in Ohio Amish country, they depicted the culture quite accurately with a few dramatic licenses of course. They consider outsiders "English", and too wordly. I was lucky to have the experience of being around and with the culture and learning so much about their dynamics. Their language is known as Dutch Amish, but there are variations depending on WHAT type of Amish. There are different sects based on their church districts; some ultra conservative, some more liberal

She gave in to her temptation but she could not betray or walk away from her core Beliefs. She stood her ground and she should be applauded for that. Book knew his world and her world were just to different and he did not belong there no more then she belonged in his world. They both did what they knew in their heart to be right for them and not be selfish and try to get the other to walk away from all they know. So for that, I applaud them both and the writers I feel made the right call for the ending.

Even in a tiny role, a good actor stands out. I remember seeing *Vigo Mortensen* in, *Carlito's Way,* and I thought, "Hey, he's one of the Amish guys in *Witness.* " This also has the ballet start, *Alexander Godunov* in the role of the suitor. He was also the brother being avenged in the final fight seen in *Die Hard.* This movie was Peter Weir's first studio film. He was part of the Australian Invasion that included *Mel Gibson, Paul Hogan,* and every key writer or actor from Weir's film *Gallipoli.* His shots are so informative. I love the opening one where he illustrates the tension between modernity and the Amish way, by showing the horse and buggy holding up truckloads of capitalism. At the time he said he was treating the fields like oceans and it shows. I also love how the writers found a clever way to have it follow the grandfather's wisdom, and in the end he didn't use 'whacking' (violence), to subdue the biggest bad guy. By living among them, he found a more Amish way.

This was a beautiful movie with the contrast of cultures as the main focus, brought on by events that none of the protagonists had any control over. I had a chance to visit Lancaster PA before this movie came out, when my family went to see old friends who used to be missionaries overseas. We would often see the Amish as we drove through the main roads. According to our friends they speak an old German dialect (German is also called Deutsch, which became mispronounced as "Dutch"). The scenes where Harrison Ford spends time with the Amish community are my favorite, because it is a realistic depiction of their environment and way of life. They are pacifists so they do not believe in using guns for killing human life, just for hunting. The romantic tension made the story more interesting but realistically it would be better to have the ending just the way it was filmed. I feel it is more respectful and did not cheapen their culture and beliefs.

This is a great film. A realustic ending instead of a romantic one.

Glad you saw this film -- it's one of my favorites. For better or worse, I don't think every film is meant to have a "happily ever after"-type of ending. Some films -- like this -- are just stories about how two very different people get thrust together. They work toward a common goal, then go back to their own lives ... but they're each a much better person for the experience. Anyhow, that's how I always viewed this one. A bittersweet ending, but also one that's appropriate... ( Also, a quick praise of the cinematography -- this film has some great panoramic shots of the Amish countryside. )

Props for recognizing Viggo! 👍😊 BTW, Daniel is played by famous ballet dancer Alexander Godunov.

I’ve always enjoyed this underrated movie. Great acting and plot. Glad you enjoyed it.

An absolute classic and you don't see it reacted too much.

Hey Madison. Thanks for watching this criminally under-rated Harrison Ford film. One of my personal favourites and the music score by Maurice Jarre is amazing and perfectly captures both the romance and thriller aspects. Great performances too from Ford and Kelly McGillis

FINALLY!!! Somebody watched it. Thank you.

They are speaking Pennsylvania "Dutch" which was a mistranslation of Deutsch. It is a variant of older German that has mixed with English

This film made him a full fledged romantic leading man. And Lucas Haas as the little boy was adorable. The very first film I ever say Danny Glover in as well. It is an excellent film.

Madison, for an even deeper dive into Ford's post-Star Wars attempt to break out of his hero roles I highly recommend The Mosquito Coast (also directed by Peter Weir), and co-starring a younger Dame Helen Mirren.

Excellent movie. It’ll be great to watch this. Peter Weir is known for never making a “bad movie”.

The Amish people in the film speak old German. Harrison Ford was a carpenter before he became an actor, still a hobby, I've heard. Director Peter Weir wanted a "Ingrid Bergman type of actress" for the part of Rachel. They looked at over 1 000 actresses without luck. Finally, they hired Lynn Stalmaster, old casting director, a legend, and expensive. Three days later, she comes back with one folder. "It's her, or no one", she said. It was then unknown Kelly McGillis and she is perfect for the part, she actually looks like Ingrid Bergman.

There should be more reaction videos to Witness. This movie is so surprising in so many ways.

Finally! Thanks for being the ONLY RU-vidr that I know of to react to this classic!

I LOVE this movie! First, interesting cast. Book's sister is played by the legendary Broadway actress Patty Lupone, who originated the role of Evita. And the Amish man, Daniel, who had interest in Kelly McGillis is played by Alexander Gudenof, a would famous ballet dancer. And of course, Viggo. The Amish are definitely strict pacifists. They speak a unique dialect of German , referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch). The final scene where Daniel rings the bell and all the members of The community come running is one of the most powerful scenes in film. It shows a double meaning of the word "witness", for Daniel was a witness to the murder in the beginning of the film and now the community arrives as witnesses to what is going on. The Amish don't use force but they have the power just by being a community together as witness. Paul realized he was powerles in the face of that witness. BTW, if Harrison Ford looked like a natural with a hammer, he was a carpenter before he began an actor!

According to Amish tradition, buttons are not allowed because they are part of soldiers’ uniforms. Instead of buttons, the Amish use clasps. Harrison Ford is a master carpenter. Before he became a star, he did much carpentry work for people in the film business.

It's German the Amish are speaking. This is such a terrific movie. The chemistry between Ford and McGillis is palpable. Just an aside, every time I say goodbye to my wife in the morning, I say "You be careful out among them English!"

Can't tell you how happy I was to see this posted as I was scrolling, only to see it's not on for another few hours, ugh, lol. Still, I am so glad SOMEONE is checking out this gem. That slow moving pointing-finger by Lukas Haas is cinema gold. Can't wait, Madison!

This movie is a masterpiece in filmmaking. My all time favorite movie.

Ah a reaction to what Harrison Ford was doing (full time acting was a side gig) before Star Wars. Probably the only actor at the barn raising who had a SAG card and a Carpenters Union card. Damn good film too. I believe the language IIRC is a German dialect that probably has more in common with late 1700's early 1800's German than modern German. They came over here and since then haven't changed it much. Kinda similar to the French spoken in Montreal vs that in Paris.

Very good 80s film. Peter Weir made a number of good ones. Good director.

One of the even lesser known HF movies is Hanover Street. It also stars Christopher Plummer, who plays a man who trains spies for British Intelligence in this romance/wartime/thriller/intrigue movie.

His only Academy Award nomination. One of his best . Also? He worked as a carpenter when he was trying to get full time work as an actor, and you can see that here. Great film.

This is ostensibly a crime movie, but much more than that, a fish out of water story but again, much more. A great example of Elevating and Transcending the Genre. The scene at the end when he's standing on the porch about to leave has Ford framed with the open road behind him and she with the interior of the home behind her. A wonderful example of show-don't-tell storytelling. Peter Weir is a master and it's no surprise that Ford worked with him again for a second time immediately after this film with Mosquito Coast.

Interesting fact: at the time Kelly McGillis was filming this, she was asked to re-do a part of her previous movie, Top Gun. Her hair was dyed brunette so they filmed a love scene in low light so it ended up adding a romantic element.

The lost art of casting for chemistry. 🥵

I love Peter Weir and how he makes actors communicate with just a look, as in Green Card with Depardieu and McDowell.

There's a 1994 movie with Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Johns... "The Client".

In the cinema prints, after the shoot-out between Ford and Glover in the basement parking lot, the dialog between Book and Schaeffer was repeated: "Who else knows about this? Just you and I". Someone decided the audience needed an explanation of why McFee knew Book had been able to identify him. In VHS and DVD copies this repeated dialog was removed.

The barn raising scene is my favorite

"Presumed Innocent" is an actual mystery, with Harrison Ford. It's great.

Wonderful to see someone react to this movie for a change. I love everything about this movie, except the music. Still a classic from my POV.

Buried classic.This is peak Ford. He was on an incredible run here. Where literally every film in this five year period are instant iconic motion pictures. This movie was in theatres a full calender year. It just had legs and kept going.

Madison! Wow...that was refreshing. I haven't seen this since I was a kid. Great movie. Thanks so much for putting in on the poll in the first place. What I think was very enjoyable was the fish-out-of-water aspect. I ALWAYS love fish-out-of-water films. And the opportunity to put Harrison Ford into what was supposed to be a nondescript disguise, but then confronting him with the jerk. It was so satifying to have him punch out that punk. Really enjoyed your reaction! :)

Wonderful movie. It used to be taught in screenwriting classes.

Harrison Ford got his only Academy Award nomination for best actor for his performance in this film.

That was great! Thanks for reacting to this one!

The Amish speak a dialect of 1600's Palatine Low German originally from southern and southwestern Germany; Alsace; and Lorraine called "Pennsylvania Dutch"

Ooooh! This was my Number 1 favorite film for many many years, a long-ass stretch of time, primarily due to my dad introducing it to me as a kid, when he really wanted to show me a Harrison Ford movie, and as a dumb child I thought that "Raiders of the Lost Ark" would be boring. :P The number of times the name "John Book" was uttered in my house growing up, or that my dad quoted the line, "[It's not our way] But it's my way," are insurmountable. And even though "Witness" isn't in my top 10 favorite movies anymore, it still holds a special nostalgic place in my heart, and I rarely ever hear it mentioned or discussed. This reaction is sure to be a stroll down memory lane.

Daniel, the Amish guy who had the hots for Rachel, was Alexander Godunov, who was a Russian ballet dancer. He was the guy in the movie Die Hard, Karl, Gruber's second-in-command, the Blond guy who went wacko with Bruce Willis killed his brother.

The blond actor who plays Daniel is Aleksander Godunov. He was a dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet in the Soviet Union. He defected in the late 70's and danced with the American Ballet Theatre for a few years.

Excellent choice! Saw this film back in the day. I loved it! A beautiful film.

This is one of my favorite movies, I'm glad to see that you watched it

Kelly McGillis is a sensational actress, I find it surprising she didn't become bigger than she was. Most people remember her for Top Gun. This is a great movie, thanks for posting a reaction to it.

The ending and character arc doesn’t satisfy the romance, but it does say something about Ford’s character. He comes to the Amish as an outsider, and leaves as a “shunned” Amish choosing to live amongst the modern world. In a way, the community acknowledges him as a worthy member of their society, but also realize he will not stop sinning, and it is accepted by both Book and Rachel that they each belong in their own worlds by choice, not by birth or external obligation.

The Amish speak German and English. This is my favorite Harrison Ford movie. Regarding Henry is another good drama, What Lies Beneath is a good suspense thriller and Six Days Seven Nights is a romcom. I recommend all 3.

FYI...Harrison is a real carpenter.

Before he became an actor, Harrison Ford worked as a carpenter. The director drew on this experience when he showed John Book becoming involved in the Amish community.

The ending is somewhat parallel to that in Roman Holiday. Love isn't fulfilled because of incompatibility due to devotion to duty, family, faith, community. Another film that explores this theme is the great western, Will Penny.

Yes, this was a very good but underrated movie! Glad someone on YT reacted to it!

One of the most underestimated and underated movies.

Gotta give the thumbs up for noticing Viggo Mortensen; I didn't know he was in it, as I hadn't seen this movie for ages!

Yes, it's Viggo. The blood suiter for the lady played in DIE Hard, as the blonde long haired killer, the father played in DIRTY HARY.

In the Rhineland in Germany in the 1600s, the fashion for men was black suits with wide-brimmed black hats. Two groups that lived in the Rhineland at the time have maintained that look to this day: the Amish and the Orthodox Jews. The similarity is alluded to in the train station scene.

Madison have you seen “Once upon a time in the west”? Could be the greatest western ever made. 1968 with Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson

Mosquito Coast and Frantic are his other two character-driven 80's movies and would be great to see on this channel. And thanks for reacting to Harrison Ford's only Oscar nominated performance in Witness.

The beginning of this takes place in 30th Street Station in Philly. I go through it every couple of months. I also silent a lot of time in Amish country as a kid.

Fun fact: Back when the Amish were still in Europe everyone in the military was required to have a mustache as part of their uniform. The Amish, who don't believe in violence, shaved their mustaches and grew a long beard to really drive their point home and they still do this today.

The language is a dialect of German. The German word for "German" is "Deutsch," which Americans slurred into "Dutch." That's why the label "Pennsylvania Dutch" was applied to them.

The language is a form of German, often called Pennsylvania Dutch in the US. Another interesting sequence in a film showing a Hutterite community (similar background to Amish and Mennonites) in Canada is the 1941 British film titled “49th Parallel.”

I went to the theater on a stormy night. This theater had 2 screens, "Witness" in one, "Back to School" in the other. Because of the storm, there were not many people there. When I tried to buy a ticket for "BtS", the young woman at the box office said, "Go see "Witness". It's a much better film." So, I did. There were 2 other people in there with me. Halfway through the movie, I went out into the lobby to go to the restroom. I overheard the ticket girl tell the snack bar worker that no one was in the other theater. She had talked me out of going to see "BtS", so they didn't have to run that movie for just one person. Eventually, I saw "BtS". She was right. "Witness" is a better movie.

The language is a derivative of Swiss German. When the grandfather says, "Stay away from the English," he is referring to city people and people not of their community.

The Lancaster PA area where the movie is set is a very pretty farming community and worth the visit. I get to see it every year and it is a real treat. Great fresh food and baked goods. The murder takes place at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and I recall years ago just after the film came out I was with friends in that restroom and we got to use the Samuel stall. We faired better than the police officer did in that scene.

Harrison Ford’s early career is just as impressive. American Graffiti, Force 10 From Navarone, The Conversation, and several others.

Hi Madison , wasn't that a good movie?! Another great Kelly McGillis one is The Accused ,which is definitely a really intense story. I think Jodie Foster got a best actress award . Hit me up.

Love any movie with a good barn raising. 🙂 Nice one, Madison! Glad you enjoyed this one!

A very fine film and thoughtful reaction. I'm an admirer of films with realistic endings that reflect the complexity of life. The classic "Roman Holiday" explores the theme in a lighthearted and wonderful way.

Thank you for being the first person to review this wonderful film. 1. This fits easily in my top 10 because I find the Amish fascinating people. 2. I prefer Kelly's performance over Charlie in "Top Gun".😍😍 3. This movie gave Ford the opportunity to show off his word working skills. Fun Fact: Before he became famous he would, from time to time roadie for The Grateful Dead. 4. I met Danny Glover on the set of "Flight of the Intruder". He didn't have to change much to play this guy.

Amazing movie !!! loved it !! Thanks Madison !!

I found the comments about him knowing carpentry funny seeing he was carpenter before he became an actor

Great Reaction........ I LUV the similarities in the "communities" between this (Amish) and John Wayne's "Angel and the Badman" (1947)(Quaker/Friends)...... Funny that you mention "Fugitive Vibes"..... This was filmed 8 years before "The Fugitive"........ I have always enjoyed this movie......

OK. They are not Swedish, but Swabich - southern Germans. The language is Pennsylvania German, popularly misnamed Pennsylvania Dutch - since, in the dialect, it's called Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch = Deutch meaning German. The Amish are Anabaptists like the Mennonites and Dunkards. They have long guns for hunting; but they are pacifists, which is why a handgun might be problematic for them. I live in a valley originally settled by Lutherans and German Reformed who spoke the same low German or plautdietsch. Amish are moving in as family farms become available for sale. I lived in Lancaster for a few years too. I forget that not every part of America knows who these plain folk are.

Great movie. I've never heard this comparison before but it bares some very interesting parallels to a John Wayne movie from the 1940s called Angel And The Badman. I'd be surprised if that movie wasn't at least a bit of an inspiration to the scriptwriter of Witness.

I’ve been waiting for a Witness reaction! I’d forgotten about Patti LuPone but totally dialed in on Viggo Mortensen and Alexander Gudonov. Alex’s defection story is legendary and I suggest everyone look it up!

Great reaction as always, Madison. I'm not positive but I think the language the Amish were speaking is an older form of German. If you want to see another Danny Glover movie with him as the baddie I'd recommend The Color Purple.

For more Vigo you should definitely watch 2018's Green Book which won best picture and Vigo was nominated for best actor. His costar won for best supporting actor

The music was by one of the great film composers, Maurice Jarre (Lawrence Of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago). He deliberately chose to use synthesizers as a modern contrast to the world of the Amish.

"I've never seen Danny Glover as a baddy" Watch a movie called Switchback with Dennis Quade, Danny doesn't play the villain often but he's chilling in that movie.

Great reaction Madison, so glad you did this one...a hidden gem imo. I think Ford's best performance actually & Kelly McGillis nailed it as well. Nice eye for spotting Viggo...have to add "Hidalgo" to your list. He does a great job in that role (based on a historical event). Harrison Ford has one that you'd like, "Regarding Henry" which is another great film.

The Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, it's a 17th century dialect of German.

Another great movie from the eighties. I liked her reaction

I see someone else commented about Regarding Henry. It’s a movie you would like and I haven’t seen anyone react to it

Ohhh...good one 😊

Stallone was actually offered this part as the lead, and said I can play the Philly cop, but do you really buy me blending in with Amish, I think he could have pulled it off. Although, I feel that Ford really made it work:)

Hi Madison. The Amish have their "own/proper" language in which words from old English, old German and Dutch are intermixed. They considerer themselves as german or dutch (depends on the group) and that's why, for them, other americans are "english"...

Solid film - one of my faves - Ford's finest hour IMO (and his only Oscar nod for Best Actor; criminal). Crushed hard for Kelly. FYI: That's also Alexander Godunov as her paramour wanna be who is best known as the terrorist in DIE HARD. And yep that's Viggo (if not his first film one of them). Fun fact: Ford is a master carpenter (helped him when his early career was going nowhere - he did work for Coppola and Lucas ; that's how he got his first role w/them in AMERICAN GRAFFITI) and I'm sure he plied his craft onscreen in the barn raising sequence. I knew you'd love it Mads.

❤ Hello Lovely Madison ❤ The language in movie that The Amish were speaking Was Modern German ❤ Chris Davidson, CjD