The thriller Witness was released in 1985, and it was instantly a massive success. Recipient of six
Oscar nominations and one Oscar award, two British Academy nominations and a BA award, Witness is st
ill considered by some people to be not only the director's, Peter Weir, best production but also to
be Harrison Ford's crowning achievement. Even though it was after the release of the Star Wars and
Indiana Jones Trilogies that Ford also obtained a starring role in and which are normally thought to
be his best performances. This alone indicates that Witness must be a deeply involving and interest
ing film. The film Witness centers around a Pennsylvanian Amish community and particularly a young b
oy and his widowed mother; Samuel (Lukas Haas) and Rachel (Kelly McGillis) Lapp. On route to Baltimo
re, in Philadelphia, Samuel spectates a violent murder of an undercover narcotics officer. Ford as d
etective John Book is dispatched to protect and interview the young Amish boy and his mother. After
uncovering a clandestine departmental matter Book suffers a firearm wound from one of the associated
conspirators. Book takes the Lapp family to safety in Pennsylvania but then collapses at the wheel
of his car. John is cared for by the Amish community and the rest of the film shows his integration
into the Amish community and his actions in resolving the corruption. When not exciting us with a te
nse shoot-out, Witness amuses and entertains us with Ford's misadventures and achievements during hi
s time within the Amish lifestyle.
The Amish people featured in Witness are part of a large concent
ration of the same faith who are situated in Northern Indiana, around the Great Lakes area, USA. The
y can trace their religious origins back to the end of the 17th Century when Jakob Ammon, (Ammon-Ami
sh), left the Anabaptist movement and laid the groundwork for the Amish faith. In 1727 a large conce
ntration of Amish left Europe and moved to the United States of America in order to escape persecuti
on. Today's, and Witness' era, Amish are guided by their faith. They forego the possession of modern
electrical goods and amenities, such as microwaves, automobiles, telephones, etc. Instead they live
a simpler more traditional way of life. They follow only their interpretation of the Bibles teachin
gs and attempt to maintain a solitary, isolated existence from the rest of the world. They adopt a p
acifist stance, forbid violence and conflict and resolutely refuse to fight or go to war for their c
ountry; honouring the biblical commandment of "love thy neighbour". Amish people pay state, federal,
and county taxes although they typically do not receive Social Security benefits since their faith
dictates that the elderly are to be cared for by the community. This same philosophy of community ma
ke insurance unnecessary, since the Amish band together to assist brethren who have experienced any
loss. The Amish dress code is strictly simple, it resembles the 17th Century styles that their ances
tors must have once worn, dark colours form the basis of the wardrobe; coloured shirts with no patte
rn may be worn by both genders. Young girls often wear pastel dresses. Adult men may wear beards, bu
t not moustaches. Only married women may wear aprons. Amish people are forbidden to take photographs
. They believe that photos lead to pride, which threatens the community by making individuals stand
out. Amish medical facilities are traditional and very basic; they will often wait longer or try alt
ernative treatments before utilising the services of doctors and modern hospitals. Marriage in the A
mish culture is considered to be for life, and divorce is virtually non-existent. Courtship begins a
t 16 when boys receive a courting buggy, which they use to attend chaperoned gatherings of young peo
ple. Courtship's usually begin at these events, and continue as young men escort eligible young ladi
es to church, singings, and other festivities. Members of the community who do not conform to the fa
ith are often shunned. A judicial group of 'Elders' decide whether the person will be shunned after
an undesirable action has been performed; these can vary and can even include communicating with a p
reviously shunned person. Once the Amish community has shunned a member they are forbidden to be reabsorbed, they cannot attend church or make any contact with their past friends or family. Shunning
is never repealed.
A main feature of the film Witness and something that allows it to function is t
he contrast of the Amish and American cultures. Peter Weir portrays this in multiple ways; using vis
ual and auditory aids. One of Weir's strongest points is his talent for visual metaphor. Without any
character saying a word, Weir can communicate complicated thoughts and emotions that add deeply to
the effectiveness of the story line and plot. The film opens with a picturesque scene: green fields
swaying on a light spring/summer day, this is to illustrate the innocence of the Amish lifestyle, so
mething that Weir does repeatedly throughout the movie; especially with Samuel Lapp. The camera pans
with a group of Amish as they walk to the Lapp house, at this point someone unaware of the films di
rection or of the Amish faith could easily mistake the piece for being set in a past century. But We
ir has a subtitle stating 'Pennsylvania 1984' appear, rather than do this to extinguish doubt in a p
ersons mind as to when the film is set I think this is done to surprise the audience; the first glim
pse of the massive gulf between the Amish and American cultures. Two or three scenes in to the film
Weir uses a large lorry and a horse and cart to depict the clash: the Lapp family (When I use the te
rm 'Lapp family' this includes Eli Lapp, Samuel's grandfather, who resides with Rachel and her son.)
are riding to the station along a country road, and directly behind them looms a massive juggernaut
. Short of employing an aircraft or large water vessel Weir could not have been clearer in showing t
he chasm of difference between the cultures. Behind the juggernaut are multiple cars piled up, despe
rate to overtake and reach their journey's end faster. The next scene is footage of the Lapp horse a
nd cart stationery at a roundabout, waiting for an opening in the traffic to take advantage of. Arou
nd them American cars frantically speed to their own targets. Both of these scenes are perfect examp
les for a comparison to the outlooks that the Amish and American communities have on life. The Amish
outlook is slow, perhaps even laid back, allowing things to take their course and occur naturally.
We are left with the impression that Weir is trying to communicate that the American culture is fast
and upbeat, always demanding immediate satisfaction but never actually achieving appeasement. Anoth
er example of this is the scene in the fast food restaurant, there are not any actions of the charac
ters that support the said statement in this scene just the fact that it is set in a fast food resta
urant. Again this is modern society's demand for immediate satisfaction and is implied regularly thr
oughout the film. The next scene shows the Lapp family at the train station with an Amish man named
Daniel Hochleifner (Alexander Godunov), who seems to be next in line for Rachel's marital company. D
aniel presents Samuel with a small, carved wooden toy, which Samuel seems to be greatly pleased at.
Again this reflects the Amish lifestyle; they do not require complicated, advanced playthings to acq
uire entertainment. The Amish children can be content with simple contraptions, while American child
ren are always perceived as tools of commercialisation, continually desiring the latest action figur
ine or doll. In this scene I think I also detect a hint of dramatic irony when Hochleifner says to S
amuel, in frankly what I consider to be quite a disquieting voice: "You'll see so many things." Perh
aps hinting at the violent murder Samuel is due to witness in the Grand Central Station bathrooms. A
fter the boarding of the train is complete and Samuel and Rachel are seated they watch Hochleifner a
s he rides along side the vehicle, attempting to keep up as the train begins to hasten. Here we can
juxtapose the two lifestyles again and another contrast can be detected. The Amish Hochleifner is tr
avelling on a horse drawn cart, standing up and employing obvious effort but still not achieving the
dose of speed that the American people enjoy along with comfort and lack of exertion when present o
n the train.
The actor Lukas Haas (Below) has obviously been chosen as he is an embodiment of physi
cal child innocence as well as quite an experienced youth actor. His large eyes and head, characteri
stic of small children, make him ideal for the role of Samuel Lapp: innocent Amish child un-exposed
to violence, danger and suffering. Throughout the film Weir applies emphasis to Samuel's innocence t
hrough visual metaphors and other techniques.
We see the first example of this again in the train s
cene. Weir incorporates a hot air balloon into the horizon scenery and we see Samuel wave at it as a
ll children do; radiating innocence. The next part of the film focuses on Samuel in great detail: fo
llowing his actions within Grand Central Station. Samuel, brought up in the traditional Amish fashio
n, has been sheltered from technological and social advancements and pitfalls. Several examples of h
is protected lifestyle both occur in this scene: Samuel is at first bewildered and then intrigued at
a water fountain in the station. He has never seen such a contraption and he still cannot seem to g
rasp the purpose of it even after several attempts at operating it. While wandering around the stati
on Samuel encounters a black clad person, dressed similar to the Amish style, he approaches him to d
iscover that the man is in fact a Rabbi. Samuel backs away hurriedly; another insight into the fact
that he has led such an un-exposed and isolated lifestyle that he is unaware of varying cultures and
multiple religions. This is also revealing of Rachel Lapp, a paucity of mothers aware of the danger
s of modern society would allow their child to roam, alone freely in Grand Central Train Station. Th
is indicates that Rachel is not, in fact, aware of the dangers of modern society. Next Samuel discov
ers a large statue suspended above the commuters, it depicts an Angel ascending with an injured, suf
fering man presumably Jesus Christ. He stands and stares at it for a short while before his mother r
ushes onto the scene and leads him away holding her son protectively as he glances back at it. This
is probably the most classic and effective example of Samuel's enforced preservation and Weir's visu
al metaphors. In the bathroom scene Samuel witnesses the murder of the undercover narcotics agent. C
lose up shots of his wide eyes peering through the crack in the bathroom door again adds emphasis to
his innocence.
Harrison Ford (Below) commands the starring role in Witness as hardened Philadelphi
a detective John Book.
John Book is introduced to the plot immediately after the homicide, he takes
charge of the case and the Lapp mother and child. When he flees to Pennsylvania to stay with the La
pp family he faces the difficult task of being accepted into the Amish community. Weir uses several
of his typical visual metaphors to convey this and contrasts between Book and the male members of th
e Amish settlement. When Book first arrives two things of significance, which will only become appar
ent later in the film, occur; as he falls unconscious on to the wheel of his car it drives into a do
ve cove, knocking it over and destroying it. This relates to two things first of all the dove is the
bird of peace so it signifies the peace within the Amish community being destroyed. Secondly he reb
uilds the cove the night before McFee, Fergie and Schaeffer come for him, when he has been basically
accepted into the Amish community, this signifies the restoration of peace to the Amish people. In
the same scene Eli says with an obvious lack of compassion, upon viewing the unconscious Book: "Is t
he English dead?" At the end of the film the last thing Eli says to Book before he leaves to return
to Philadelphia is: "You be careful out there among those English." This is like Eli, who has been r
esentful towards Book throughout, finally picturing, in his own eyes at least, Book as an Amish pers
on. This could be compared to an Amish father bidding farewell to his son as he leaves to explore th
e world at the age of 18, as is custom for the Amish youth. Weir uses this sort of screenplay severa
l times to depict Book's assimilation into the community, another example being when John is given l
emonade. At first he gulps down a whole glass in one mouthful, this Rachel is obviously shocked by.
I think the fact that she has spent so long in preparing it that to see it be downed so abruptly was
slightly insulting. This I see as another contrast between the two cultures. Later on in the film,
at the cliché barn raising, Book is handed another glass of lemonade; which he sips and then returns
to Hochleifner. Book is also visibly compared to the Amish men, several scenes show groups of fully
bearded Amish men talking with intervals of the clean shaven Ford. Although towards the end Book se
ems to adopt, or at least accept, the Amish lifestyle he still has his own twists. In a scene with t
ourists trying to take photographs of the Amish people Book refuses alongside them, yet he whispers
to the woman who asks him: "Lady, you take my picture with that thing I'm going to rip your brassier
e off and strangle you with it." When American teenage tourists are mocking Hochleifner and abusing
him physically, secure in the knowledge of the Amish pacifist stance, Book approaches one of them an
d hits him. When John Book is injured in the gunfight with McFee, Rachel nurses him back to health.
Book's wound inflicted by a modern American weapon is treated by traditional Amish tea and rest, ano
ther contrast in the cultures.
Kelly McGillis (Below) plays the widowed Amish mother of Samuel: Rac
hel Lapp, destined to be John Book's object of desire.
At first Rachel is very reluctant to communi
cate with Book. She considers him to be a bad example to her son and wants to be associated with him
in the smallest possible way. The first clash that is noticed relating to Rachel is when her and Sa
muel are taken to Book's sister's, Elaine (Patty Lupone), house to spend the night in safety. Elaine
and Rachel obviously have nothing in common, Elaine is a modern American woman and is the complete
opposite to Rachel. Weir has tried to make the two women directly opposite in appearance as well. In
their only scene together Rachel wears a simple white night dress while Elaine is clothed in a long
blue dressing-gown. Rachel's long hair and make up free appearance is contrasted by Elaine's short
styled hair and obvious use of artificial beauty appliances. Rachel becomes more and more sympatheti
c to Book and, inevitably, they fall in love. A scene in the Lapp's barn shows them dancing to rock
music, this portrays Rachel's tolerance for the modern American society and lifestyle. Seeing a 18th
Century style clad woman dance to modern rock music is definitely one of the clashes of culture in
Witness.
Clothing is one of the blatant differences between the American and Amish cultures, and al
though it is obviously one of the constant contrasts that are referred to there are several more spe
cific references. In the station Samuel is standing in line with his mother, when he turns to see a
little girl giggling at him. Here we can see the direct clash between the different styles of clothi
ng, Samuel wearing a plain black outfit, with a blue unbuttoned shirt and the girl clothed in a pret
ty dress, hair and appearance all modified to achieve a sweet, 'beautiful' child. While McGillis is
explaining the Amish concept of clothing to Ford as he resides at the Lapp house, she mentions how b
uttons and peripherals to suits and clothing are considered vain. Something which is positively disc
ouraged within the Amish faith. Weir has ensured that the 'bad guys' of the movie are all dressed in
suave suits; adorned with buttons and lapels, etc. This emphasises the 'bad guy' image because it a
dds evilness to the characters in the eyes of the Amish faith. Vanity is used by Weir in the bathroo
m murder scene when after completing the killing McFee (Danny Glover) is questioned as to what he is
doing by his companion in crime, he replies: "I'm just washing my hands." He then proceeds to look
in the mirror and adjust his tie.
The only juxtaposition of the cultures that can be detected in th
e music is that the style of the soundtrack can be roughly split into two groups. A vaguely traditio
nal German style of music is played in scenes involving the Amish community while a strange hybrid o
f said style and an 80's electrical genre, played with the same instruments as other group but with
over-dubbed high/low pitch electrical screeches to add to tension is played for scenes involving the
American community. In the last scene Book's car is followed as it travels down the road leading aw
ay form the Lapp farm, the music being played is the same as that at the barn raising, the most iden
tifiable point in which someone could say Book was accepted into the community to the maximum extent
possible for him.
As a detective/thriller movie, Witness is perhaps not a success. Any mystery abo
ut the murder is eliminated early, between the first half hour and the last fifteen minutes there is
little action, and the central question as to whether the killers will find Book and the boy is not
treated as a matter for suspense. Witness works very well, however, as a confrontation between two
different cultures and, ultimately, as a love story. The real suspense concerns whether Ford and McG
illis will wind up together, despite the fact that her religion is an almost impenetrable barrier be
tween them, and what they will have to sacrifice for their love.
thriller witness released instantl
y massive success recipient oscar nominations oscar award british academy nominations award witness
still considered some people only director peter weir best production also harrison ford crowning ac
hievement even though after release star wars indiana jones trilogies that ford also obtained starri
ng role which normally thought best performances this alone indicates that witness must deeply invol
ving interesting film film centers around pennsylvanian amish community particularly young widowed m
other samuel lukas haas rachel kelly mcgillis lapp route baltimore philadelphia samuel spectates vio
lent murder undercover narcotics officer ford detective john book dispatched protect interview young
amish mother after uncovering clandestine departmental matter book suffers firearm wound from assoc
iated conspirators book takes lapp family safety pennsylvania then collapses wheel john cared amish
community rest film shows integration into community actions resolving corruption when exciting with
tense shoot amuses entertains with misadventures achievements during time within lifestyle people f
eatured part large concentration same faith situated northern indiana around great lakes area they t
race their religious origins back century when jakob ammon ammon left anabaptist movement laid groun
dwork faith large concentration left europe moved united states america order escape persecution tod
ay guided their faith they forego possession modern electrical goods amenities such microwaves autom
obiles telephones instead they live simpler more traditional life follow only their interpretation b
ibles teachings attempt maintain solitary isolated existence from rest world adopt pacifist stance f
orbid violence conflict resolutely refuse fight country honouring biblical commandment love neighbou
r people state federal county taxes although typically receive social security benefits since dictat
es that elderly cared this same philosophy make insurance unnecessary since band together assist bre
thren have experienced loss dress code strictly simple resembles century styles ancestors must have
once worn dark colours form basis wardrobe coloured shirts with pattern worn both genders young girl
s often wear pastel dresses adult wear beards moustaches only married women wear aprons forbidden ta
ke photographs believe photos lead pride which threatens making individuals stand medical facilities
traditional very basic will often wait longer alternative treatments before utilising services doct
ors modern hospitals marriage culture considered life divorce virtually existent courtship begins wh
en boys receive courting buggy which attend chaperoned gatherings courtship usually begin these even
ts continue escort eligible ladies church singings other festivities members conform often shunned j
udicial group elders decide whether person will shunned after undesirable action been performed thes
e vary even include communicating previously shunned person once member forbidden absorbed cannot at
tend church make contact past friends family shunning never repealed main feature something allows f
unction contrast american cultures peter weir portrays this multiple ways using visual auditory aids
weir strongest points talent visual metaphor without character saying word communicate complicated
thoughts emotions deeply effectiveness story line plot opens picturesque scene green fields swaying
light spring summer illustrate innocence lifestyle something does repeatedly throughout movie especi
ally samuel lapp camera pans group walk house point someone unaware films direction could easily mis
take piece being past century subtitle stating pennsylvania appear rather than extinguish doubt pers
ons mind think done surprise audience first glimpse massive gulf between american cultures three sce
nes uses large lorry horse cart depict clash family term includes grandfather resides rachel riding
station along country road directly behind them looms massive juggernaut short employing aircraft wa
ter vessel could have been clearer showing chasm difference between cultures behind juggernaut multi
ple cars piled desperate overtake reach journey faster next scene footage horse cart stationery roun
dabout waiting opening traffic take advantage around them american cars frantically speed targets bo
th these scenes perfect examples comparison outlooks communities life outlook slow perhaps even laid
back allowing things take course occur naturally left impression trying communicate culture fast up
beat always demanding immediate satisfaction never actually achieving appeasement another example sc
ene fast food restaurant there actions characters support said statement just fact fast food restaur
ant again modern society demand immediate satisfaction implied regularly throughout next shows train
station named daniel hochleifner alexander godunov seems next line rachel marital company daniel pr
esents small carved wooden seems greatly pleased again reflects lifestyle require complicated advanc
ed playthings acquire entertainment children content simple contraptions while children always perce
ived tools commercialisation continually desiring latest action figurine doll think also detect hint
dramatic irony hochleifner says frankly what consider quite disquieting voice many things perhaps h
inting violent murder grand central station bathrooms boarding train complete seated watch hochleifn
er rides along side vehicle attempting keep train begins hasten here juxtapose lifestyles again anot
her contrast detected travelling horse drawn cart standing employing obvious effort still achieving
dose speed enjoy along comfort lack exertion present actor lukas haas below obviously been chosen em
bodiment physical child innocence well quite experienced youth actor eyes head characteristic small
children make ideal role innocent child exposed violence danger suffering throughout applies emphasi
s innocence through visual metaphors other techniques first example incorporates balloon into horizo
n scenery wave radiating part focuses great detail following actions within grand central brought tr
aditional fashion sheltered from technological social advancements pitfalls several examples protect
ed both occur first bewildered then intrigued water fountain never seen such contraption still canno
t seem grasp purpose several attempts operating while wandering encounters black clad person dressed
similar style approaches discover fact rabbi backs away hurriedly another insight into fact such ex
posed isolated unaware varying multiple religions revealing paucity mothers aware dangers society wo
uld allow child roam alone freely grand central indicates aware dangers society discovers statue sus
pended above commuters depicts angel ascending injured suffering presumably jesus christ stands star
es short while before mother rushes onto leads away holding protectively glances back probably most
classic effective example enforced preservation metaphors bathroom witnesses murder undercover narco
tics agent close shots wide eyes peering through crack bathroom door adds emphasis harrison below co
mmands starring role hardened philadelphia detective john introduced plot immediately homicide takes
charge case flees pennsylvania stay faces difficult task being accepted uses several typical metaph
ors convey contrasts between male members settlement arrives things significance will become apparen
t later occur falls unconscious wheel drives dove cove knocking over destroying relates dove bird pe
ace signifies peace within being destroyed secondly rebuilds cove night before mcfee fergie schaeffe
r come basically accepted signifies restoration peace same says obvious lack compassion upon viewing
unconscious english dead last thing says leaves return philadelphia careful there among those engli
sh like resentful towards finally picturing eyes least could compared father bidding farewell leaves
explore world custom youth uses sort screenplay times depict assimilation given lemonade gulps down
whole glass mouthful obviously shocked think spent long preparing downed abruptly slightly insultin
g contrast later clich barn raising handed glass lemonade sips then returns visibly compared scenes
show groups fully bearded talking intervals clean shaven although towards seems adopt least accept t
wists tourists trying photographs refuses alongside them whispers woman asks lady picture thing goin
g your brassiere strangle teenage tourists mocking abusing physically secure knowledge pacifist stan
ce approaches hits injured gunfight mcfee nurses health wound inflicted weapon treated rest kelly mc
gillis below plays widowed destined object desire very reluctant communicate considers wants associa
ted smallest possible clash noticed relating taken sister elaine patty lupone house spend night safe
ty elaine obviously nothing common elaine woman complete opposite tried women directly opposite appe
arance well together wears simple white night dress clothed long blue dressing gown long hair free a
ppearance contrasted short styled hair obvious artificial beauty appliances becomes more more sympat
hetic inevitably fall love barn shows dancing rock music portrays tolerance seeing style clad woman
dance rock music definitely clashes culture clothing blatant differences although constant contrasts
referred there specific references standing line turns little girl giggling here direct clash diffe
rent styles clothing wearing plain black outfit blue unbuttoned shirt girl clothed pretty dress hair
appearance modified achieve sweet beautiful mcgillis explaining concept clothing resides house ment
ions buttons peripherals suits considered vain something positively discouraged ensured guys movie d
ressed suave suits adorned buttons lapels emphasises image because adds evilness characters vanity u
sed bathroom completing killing mcfee danny glover questioned what doing companion crime replies jus
t washing hands proceeds look mirror adjust juxtaposition detected music style soundtrack roughly sp
lit groups vaguely german played involving strange hybrid said electrical genre played instruments o
ther group over dubbed high pitch electrical screeches tension played involving last followed travel
s down road leading away form farm barn raising most identifiable point someone accepted maximum ext
ent possible detective thriller movie perhaps success mystery about eliminated early half hour last
fifteen minutes little action question whether killers find treated matter suspense works very well
however confrontation different ultimately love story real suspense concerns whether wind together d
espite religion almost impenetrable barrier what sacrificeEssay, essays, termpaper, term paper, term
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