Witness (1985)

Before murder mysteries involving the Amish were a staple of The Hallmark Channel there was Witness. This is a great movie, a Harrison Ford vehicle that transcends mere Harrison Ford vehicle. After a young Amish boy (Lukas Haas, a cute kid but now an odd looking man) witnesses a murder in a Philadelphia train station, Ford's Det. John Book must keep him and his mother (Kelly McGillis, whatever happened to her?) safe when it becomes clear that corrupt cops are involved. The film largely breaks from its traditional thriller angle for a protracted, near anthropological stay, hiding in the Amish community. This is where the movie excels, the mystery is fine, but its Ford dealing with his new, forced surroundings that is most engaging, this must have been particularly novel in the mid 1980's, I can't think of an Amish themed film older then this. Quite ably directed by Australian Peter Weir. There is some beautiful cinematography here and a nice score as well. I loved this movie. ****