When I retired from teaching, my husband and I traveled in an RV for nearly two years, living in 45 states across the country. One of my favorite areas was our month in Pennsylvania, specifically in Amish country. We timed it so that we could enjoy a visually stunning autumn. We ended up staying until Thanksgiving. Lancaster County was like turning back the clock to another century. It was not what we expected. The community was kind, thoughtful, and generous. The Amish enjoyed explaining and sharing their lifestyle choices. Every day, they would bring bread and baked goodies to the RV park to sell for very low prices. We couldn’t resist. Thank goodness we didn’t travel with a scale to weigh ourselves. On Thanksgiving, we sat on picnic-style benches. The tables before us were filled with more food than imaginable. Platters of everything a turkey feast was meant to be. My taste buds were in heaven. Simple, yet fit for kings and queens. It was a meal we will both never forget.
When I close my eyes, the time spent next to a very encapsulated community fills my heart with bold, colorful pictures that stimulate every one of my senses. I remember watching the Amish men plow their fields with the heavy, leather harness wrapped around their arms and across their backs as they guided their horses up and down the rows of soft, rich soil. It was impressive. I have memories of seeing clotheslines filled with denim overalls, long black dresses, white bonnets, and faded undergarments. Long ropes were everywhere attached from a window to a pole thirty feet from their house. Entire wardrobes flapped gently in the wind close pinned on lines by early dawn. I can hear the clomping of the horse-drawn carriages that were everywhere, carrying families and neighbors to and fro. Their handmade quilts were exquisite and soft to the touch. Their woodwork was exceptional. All over the countryside, big, bold red barns could be seen dotting the lush, green acreage. It was perfect.
I often used to think what it would be like to be born into this lifestyle. How would it feel to be rid of all modern technology. As a woman, how humbling it would be to no longer be seen as an equal. The Amish are indeed a patriarchal society. Being quiet was never one of my strong suits. It would be even more difficult once a person lived within both the Amish and “English” worlds. How can that great divide or gap be filled to connect in a long-term relationship? One would have to make a choice. Be modern or live in the past. In 1985, a brilliant film explored this conundrum. A sweet rom-com was intricately created, entwining a Homicide Detective with a young Amish child who accidentally became a WITNESS to a terrible, violent crime. The moral boundaries were drawn, lives were touched, and they could never be the same again.
It is no surprise that WITNESS collected eight Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) and won two golden statues for Best Editing and Best Screenplay. It was a smart and clever story that effectively brought together two distinct spheres. The corrupt, cynical city life versus the honest, hard-working Amish people collided in ways audiences never saw coming.
WITNESS stared Harrison Ford. This was his first feature following his STAR WARS notoriety. He needed to make a big change and show the world what he could do. He knew he was more than a Jedi fighter. Ford proved his point showcasing an edgy, sarcastic, homicide detective fleeing for his life, while trying to solve a brutal murder and protect a young boy. Ford trained for his role with the Philadelphia police force for several weeks and worked in the city’s most dangerous areas. When all was said and done in WITNESS, Ford’s character, John Book, grew to be a better man. He learned how to truly live and love. This was unexpected and sparked a love story that unfolded from our wildest dreams. Ford’s fans knew he was indeed so much more.
Kelly McGillis played Rachel, the woman Ford could not get out of his heart. She was spectacular. Oh, those eyes were bottomless. McGillis also trained for her role. She spent a month living among the Amish, ensuring she mastered both the physicality of her character and the German dialect. There was no getting away from their innocent, overwhelming pull that was evident whenever Rachel and John were in the same room together. The two of them had enough chemistry to launch a hundred spaceships. When they danced, audiences witnessed raw, emotional explosions on screen. It was Ford’s choice of song. WONDERFUL WORLD made our squishy hearts soar.
Ford and McGillis were surrounded by a powerful ensemble of fine actors, which included Danny Glover, Patti LuPone, and an incredible young boy, Lucas Hass. This child could stop audiences from taking a breath, as he expressed fear, terror, bravery, and courage through his exquisite and anguished facial expressions.
Peter Weir was the director (THE TRUMAN SHOW, DEAD POETS SOCIETY). This was his first feature film since migrating from Australia. He understood the complexities and balance necessary to guide WITNESS to success, both financially and creatively, as well as its critical acclaim. It was more than a cops and murder movie. He combined two facets to discover humanity’s commonality. It was genius. He gently placed his film crew within the beautiful fields of Lancaster. Even though the Amish would not participate as extras, they were tolerant of the intrusion (As a side note, the local Mennonite communities volunteered instead). Weir used what he had, forging a link between the past and the present.
WITNESS is a romantic, spiritual, moral dilemma classic. It makes moviegoers realize our differences are fewer than what we have in common. We all are searching for love and confirmation. Violence and death just beget more death and violence. Our acceptance and tolerance are the key. I could never live as an Amish woman, but I can honor and respect anyone’s decision to do so. It is all about perspective and the click of a kaleidoscope to find joy anywhere on earth.
WITNESS is available on AMC.
