It’s been some time since I had settled in for the Harrison Ford drama Witness directed by the amazing Peter Weir. I remember loving it as a teen when I first came across it simply because it was a Harrison Ford film. I loved movies at the time but I didn’t realize the film had garnered eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and one for Ford’s performance as police captain, John Book. It took home Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.

A recently widowed Amish woman, Rachel Lapp(Kelly McGillis) and her young son Samuel (Lukas Haas) are on their way to her sisters when Samuel witnesses a brutal execution in a bus station bathroom. John Book takes the call and the case, and he tries to find a lead young Samuel puts them all in danger when he identifies the killer as a narcotics cop, McFee (Danny Glover).

When Book informs his superior Schaeffer (Josef Sommer) he’s doing his job, but it also puts him and the Lapps in the line of fire when he learns Schaeffer is involved. He goes on the run with the Lapps, telling his partner, Carter (Brent Jennings) to disappear the case as he takes the Lapps home to hide among the Amish.

Unfortunately, Book is out of place in Amish country and works to fit in and understand the community even as his attraction to Rachel grows. But the two separate worlds could be torn apart when Schaeffer and McFee, and their third partner, Fergie (sorry Angus MacInnes all I see is Strange Brew when you’re on screen) come to hunt Book down.

Recently remastered in 4K by Arrow Video the film is absolutely stunning, and stands up beautifully to the test of time. It also boasts a solid cast that includes Alexander Godunov and Viggo Mortensen in one of his first film roles.

Everything works in this film. You’re pretty sure how things will play out, but Weir is a master of story and performance and each frame of the film is gorgeous and layered with meaning. It’s a stunning watch.

Ford turns in a career-best performance and he and McGillis have a wonderful onscreen chemistry, Haas conveys everything with his big eyes, and Weir uses that brilliantly as he doles out his story.

Scored by Maurice Jarre, Witness remains a gorgeous film to watch and wraps you up in its story, its moments, and the sheer beauty of the locations.

I loved checking this one out again, it’s been too long since I’d last watched it. I love that it has stood the test of time, and honestly, if you get a chance to check it out in 4K, do so. It looks absolutely beautiful, Weir knows how to paint pictures with his films, and this one is a prime example of that.