Reely Bernie Flashback: Witness (1985)

Otherworldly. 

My favorite movies are otherworldly. 

An ethereal, synthesized score (infamous Maurice Jarre) accompanies an Amish family speaking German while walking through a green meadow in Pennsylvania, set in 1984—one year before the movie was produced. Before you can superficially label this one a typical 80s flick or police thriller, you are allured by the mystical (and died-too-soon) Alexander Godunov among two other greats: Harrison Ford at his prime and the camera of impeccable director of ambiguity, Peter Weir. 

The screenplay has too many writers, but such a cinematically focused collaboration can sometimes prove miraculous, and it does here. (What is it about Harrison Ford and hole-in-the-wall bars in which someone gets beat up, shot, or nose-lacerated in search of the “white lady?”)

This movie wants so badly to run into conventional, clichéd narrative, but it can’t because every character and action is earnest, sincere, and circumstantial. The dichotomy of police brutality and a community of pacifism is one thing, but where else do you find a handsome Harrison Ford in the middle of a sexually covert scenario?

“Don’t know much about biology…
Don’t know much about a science book…”

Harrison in the nutzoid hat is enough, but a romantically-tense relationship amid cow milking (crescendo’d by Jarre’s synthesized strings) is just plain odd and otherworldly, believable, and fun. 

“I’ve committed no sin.”

No worries, Witness:

You’re good.

Witness (1985) ****1/2 out of *****

Have you seen this one? Talk about cliché flipped on its head.

Happy Summer,

Reely Bernie

25 thoughts on “Reely Bernie Flashback: Witness (1985)”

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  1. Ah, Kelly McGillis at her Kelly McGillis-iest. 😀 … saw it when it came out, and from memory, I found it ambiguious, can’t remember why, but in my defense it was a very long time ago. 😀

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  3. A great review. I have not heard of this movie before but may check it out after having read your review. I’ve always loved Harrison Ford. Ford is a fantastic actor that I’ve always associated with the Indiana Jones series. He has always been Indiana Jones for me. I actually haven’t seen any great movies starring the actor outside of his work in Indiana Jones. Recently, I enjoyed his turn in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”. So, I may check this one out when I find the time. I haven’t seen any older Harrison Ford movies so “Witness” is a film that I’ll keep on my watchlist. Thanks for the recommendation.

    Here’s why I loved Ford’s performance in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”:

    “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023) – Movie Review

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  5. This is quite the coincidence Bernie. I hadn’t seen this movie in decades, but I had fond memories of it especially when Ford’s character worked on the car in the barn and serenades the beautiful Kelly McGillis to ‘What a Wonderful world it would be’ which you also mentioned. It came on Cable a few weeks back and I watched it again and liked it a lot. I loved Weir’s collaboration with Ford in another movie, ‘Mosquito Coast’ which featured River Phoenix who of course was an extraordinary actor for his age. We saw ‘Running on Empty’ recently and my kids fell head over heals for Phoenix’s part in that.
    Btw, I saw Intensamente 2 with the kids a week ago. But I don’t want to go down that road I’m afraid. Haha
    Cheers mate.

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    1. Matt, you hit on some wonderful observations here:

      -“Witness” is practically the antidote to the retreads we see both on the screen and streaming. It’s almost like what seemed audacious in the 80s is too risky for the banal of today. Like you, I was pleasantly refreshed by its ability to never be predictable.

      Also like you, I dig Peter Weir’s works, and your “7 degrees of Kevin Bacon” connection from “Mosquito Coast” to “Running on Empty” was warm-bellied nostalgic for me, as it placed me back to my Blockbuster Video days when my coworker introduced me to both films. I remember telling him that “Running on Empty” was the best drama I had seen in a long time. I still own it on VHS.

      “Inside Out 2?” – I get it. Believe me, I get it. I think I was on a Father’s Day high on that one, as it was the first theatrical movie my daughter sat all the way through and without a bathroom break. She liked it. It made me happy. I doubt I’ll ever watch it again, let alone enjoy it as much.

      Great to hear from you. We’ve been so busy (in a good way) this summer that I haven’t paid much attention to the FIFA World Cup.

      What are your thoughts/favorites?

      Best,
      Bernie

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      1. As always, your observations and manner of expression are very astute and witty, including:
        – too risky for the banal of today,
        – “7 degrees of Kevin Bacon” connection, Haha

        After seeing ‘Running on Empty’ again I went back to my ‘favourites list’ and swiftly moved it up the order from mid 90’s to now sitting at No 42. I agree it is one of the best ‘Dramas’. The acting is sublime.

        Thanks for your comprehension regarding ‘Inside Out 2’. 2 days ago I saw ‘Tuesday’ starring Julia Dreyfuss which I enjoyed and I’m looking forward to see ‘Maxxxine’ in the next few days.
        Fifa World Cup? What!!! haha Ah you North Americans and your soccer. God that made me laugh.
        Have a great week buddy.

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        1. Fifa World Cup? What!!! haha Ah you North Americans and your soccer. God that made me laugh.

          That line just made ME laugh!

          I was in three airports and on five airplanes and saw some sort of “soccer” going on on the bar screens. I have no idea what I was watching, but Ronaldo was playing.

          Help me 🙂

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          1. ‘three airports and on five airplanes’ – Bernie…are you on FBI’s most wanted list? Did trains and automobiles come into the mix?
            May be you know now that two continental soccer tournaments are occurring at the same time. Europe Cup and America Cup (Copa America) and everyone’s excited except North Americans of course….
            Haha I’m just having a lend.

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            1. Loved the “lend.” I admit—I’m all football americano, but as we’ve spoken before, egos and monumentally excessive salaries repel me.

              We will never do layovers again!

              A 3-year-old and a 1-year-old in an airplane shouldn’t be an existence or a sentence, haha!

              Will you be watching the Olympics?

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            2. ‘Shouldn’t be an existence or a sentence’. You cracked me up lol
              These two months including the Olympics, Wimbledon and the two cup tournaments is ‘heaven’. Will I be watching the Olympics? Now you’re having a lend haha

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            3. Excellent. I guess I’d be just as excited if I had access to all of that. What stations/apps/channels/streams/whatever do you use? We’ll be using Peacock for the Olympics 🙂

              Can’t wait! We don’t let our little ones have much screen time, but the Olympics are an exception 🙂

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            4. I find means of watching – don’t you worry about that. I’m glad you are set up for your feed of the Olympics. I will admit the first week involving ‘Swimming’ doesn’t rock my boat (excuse the pun) as much as the Athletics spectacle unless an Australian is in the pool.

              When I was young, my brother and I did ‘Little Athletics’. I don’t know what the equivalent ‘athletic’ competition is for youngens where you guys are – which go all the way to the National and Junior Worlds. Did you practice Athletics when you were young?
              Jonny and I both reached the pinnacle of our chosen events. I came away as a 15 year – old with the Australian 1500 metre record and my brother was amongst the placegetters of our state in his chosen event. So it goes without saying we will be taking a keen interest. lol
              My kids like the Athletics, but I imagine their school time will impinge on their access to viewing it especially considering the time zones. Oh well.

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            5. Well, if you know who Missy Franklin is, and she was one of your students, you watch swimming. 😉

              Ha! “Athletics.” We say “sports” in the states. And, no, I was atrocious at all of them. I’m a delicate doily and fit comfortably in my music education realm. Damn proud of it but also very appreciative of athletes like you and fascinated but record setting and pushing the body to the extreme…

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            6. I had heard of the name Missy Franklin, but I had to look her up to see her long list of creds. It seems dolphins would have a hard time keeping up with her.
              You lost me at ‘she was one of your students’.
              Your eloquent, self effacing, and jocular description of your abilities and where your aptitudes lie made my day.

              Ok, now we have England vs Netherlands semis and 5 hours later Colombia vs Uruguay semis. I’m already strapped in my ol’ chum.
              I hope this message finds you well… and to quote my prophet: ‘with peace, tranquillity and goodwill’.

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            8. Oh my God! Really. What instrument did she play? You gobsmacked me here haha
              England are through to the finals. Now to make this the ‘Perfect sport day’…my adopted Country are all dressed in the uniform…pleaseeee. My Colombian Australian kids are beyond excited.
              Thanks Bernie for your positive projection. It means a lot.

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            9. Gobsmacked” – never uttered and never read in the states. Ha! Thank you for that experience.

              I had her in beginning choir. She was terrible but a wonderful human being who still holds world records!

              England. Excellent. Harry playing?

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            10. Being ‘gobsmacked’ is underrated I see.

              Both Colombia and England won yesterday. It goes without saying I consider the 10th of July 2024 one of the greatest Sporting days I have had the privilege of witnessing. My son cried like a little girl.

              ‘She was terrible’. Well at least we have Perri below to show them how to do it..I’m kidding..
              God, I love that woman.

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            11. Mesmerizing. We’ve done that song before twice in my span as choir director (SSA format). I love it! Wow! She’s something. Whoa! That’s amazing about England and Colombia.

              Are any of these games accessible via Peacock or Amazon Prime?

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            12. Hey, I regret not having replied earlier. I have been busy with the rugrats lol Christina Perri’s artistry continues to confound me.
              England just lost to a superior Spanish team. Now onto the Copa America final Colombia – Argentina 7pm tonight (-5 EST). I don’t know about the game’s availability on those services.

              I hope you had a great weekend my friend. Cheers.

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            13. Ain’t no thing, Matt. We’re on day 4 of our gigantic landscaping project, and we still have a long way to go. It’ll be worth it in the end, and we’re saving $20,000 by doing it ourselves, but, wow, my body hasn’t been in this much pain since… gosh… I think this tops them all!

              I’m sorry to see that Colombia lost. By best friend’s wife is from there, so I probably would have rooted for them, but I was schlepping rocks instead 🙂

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