Witness Blu-ray Review
“Witness” is a crime thriller classic.
Written by Earl W. Wallace and William Kelley, “Witness” takes place in the year 1984 at an Amish community in Pennsylvania. Having lost her husband, Rachel and her son Samuel travel outside of the Amish country to visit family. While at a train station bathroom, Samuel witnesses the murder of an undercover officer. Detective John Book is on the case and he’s trying to find the culprit with the help of Samuel. Samuel spots a picture of the murderer who just so happens to be a corrupt cop named James. Book confronts the Chief of Police about this, but he soon discovers the corruption goes all the way to the top when James attempts to take out John. John is wounded in a shootout with James and is soon whisked away to Amish country where he is tended to. John decides to hide out there in order to protect Samuel, but it’s only a matter of time before the corrupt cops find them.
Director Peter Weir has had a varied career helming films like “Dead Poets Society,” “Gallipoli,” “The Truman Show,” “Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World,” and one of his most renowned films with “Witness.” From start to finish, it’s a well scripted crime thriller with suspense, corrupt cops, a forbidden romance (between Rachel and John), a fish-out-of-water storyline, and an exploration of the Amish world. Weir’s assured direction sucks viewers in from the get go as he never wastes any time getting down to business. Every moment feels integral to the story being told. One can make a case that the more action heavy finale is a bit anticlimactic, but it still works in the context of the story being told.
The plot may be simple, but the character work is what makes “Witness” so memorable. Thankfully, the film is backed by a first-rate cast (Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Danny Glover, Alexander Godunov, and even a young Viggo Mortensen in a small role) to bring these characters to life.. Ford tends to get all the credit here (and even earned an Oscar nomination). He does give an impressive and understated performance that differs from other performances in his filmography. Kelly McGillis is equally excellent here. She doesn’t have much to say, but her body language and chemistry with Ford sizzles. Lukas Haas also shines here as the young boy Samuel.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? A satisfactory hi-def transfer that offers richer colors.
Audio Track: Dolby TrueHD 5.1. How does it sound? Thumbs up for this effective audio track. Note: Other language options such as Spanish, Japanese, French, Portuguese, Italian and Deutsch are included.
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