WITNESS (1985) Movie Reaction w/ Coby FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@criminalcontent]

Coby sings

[@Col_Fragg]

Weir.

[@allengray5748]

Great Reaction! I'm sure all involved also visualized your alternate ending while choosing the lonely (higher?) road as well as all the other predictable choices. That's part of the charm of this film 📽️ Awesome! Can't wait for the next! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@OmarAmador-w7t]

Baby 😎😎😎 i think……….. you have to come to Pennsylvania and see how they live. Don’t bring your cellphone 😭😭 and any electronics devices There isn’t power 😁😁😁

[@OmarAmador-w7t]

Ahhhh My Coby I almost forgot Thank you so much to the Aussies for supporting TRUMP ❤❤❤❤❤😘😘😘

[@XDarkSyntaXOriginal]

Like 80's crime??? Try "To Live and Die in L.A." Has one of the best car chases ever filmed..

[@erikdolnack846]

"Witness" from 1985 is, sadly, a mostly forgotten and overlooked movie today, but it is so good! This movie is timeless and so beautiful. The gorgeous music score was composed by Maurice Jarre, of Lawrence of Arabia fame. Every time I watch this movie I'm always re-impressed all over again.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Not forgotten by people who've seen it. Just unknown to TikTok brats.

[@stupidsmart-phone6911]

@@erikdolnack846 It was frequently aired on TV through the 1990s but then disappeared. That's how we got to know a lot of movies and how some became cult classics. It was that shared experience. I'd ask friends if that saw whatever movie on TV, turns out we all tuned in same channel same time. Now everything is available on demand, there are no schedules, so things get discovered one person at a time. The live chat for this video mentioned they were surprised the number of viewers for an unannounced posting. That's kind of how TV was 30 years, just channel surf until you find something good. Timing is everything.

[@Tr0nzoid]

​@@stupidsmart-phone6911, also in that shared experience, the movie titles would be in TV Guide or whatever schedule, so we could be familiar with them to that extent at least.

[@erikdolnack846]

@@stupidsmart-phone[phone]% true. Thank you.

[@frankie3041]

It’s not mostly forgotten. Case in point, it’s doing the rounds on the KZbin Reaction video circuit so people know it very well.

[@arunphillips6977]

One of Harrison Ford's best, great story, stunning cinematography, amazing performances, top notch direction...! Great choice Coby, you'll really enjoy it!

[@markcole5108]

I thought he was great in Regarding Henry

[@van_goghx]

I’m always amazed at how quickly Coby can sus out what’s going to happen in a story. She’s obviously consumed a sizable amount of entertainment, but I’m guessing it’s more recent stuff? It’s always fun to watch the gears quickly spinning in her head and seeing where a plot line is heading well ahead of most watchers.

[@JohnDAmico-ci2hz]

She's great at that but her and lots of other Reactors need to stop trying to guess what's going to happen and just watch the movie. Especially since most of the time they are wrong and it kinda wrecks the whole experience.... Just my 2 cents....😊

[@robertberman6692]

@@JohnDAmico-ci2hz I certainly wouldn't want that kind of running dialogue over the first time I see a film, but it is is a common part of the "say everything I'm thinking" element of a reaction video.

[@MegaToronto1]

WITNESS is Viggo Mortensen's second acting credit. The year before (1984), he played a Lieutenant in a "George Washington" miniseries.

[@brantfrans8595]

Harrison Ford says this is one of his favorite performances. Definitely his best movie. He did a fantastic job. Everyone did.

[@BouillaBased]

I think he likes it even more because he got to get into some woodworking.

[@Brian-qn7fn]

Not his best film.

[@arieeel3727]

@@Brian-qn7fnAgree. His best film is Frisco Kid!

[@SixFootTurkey_]

The scene in the police station when the kid recognizes Danny Glover is fantastic visual storytelling, and IMO the shootout in the parking garage is one of the more tense shootouts I've seen in film.

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

I like to think that the hefty guy in the elevator never shut up about his wife trying to open those doors, to both his drinking buddies and his wife.

[@justinamerican8200]

Communities coming together always hits me in the feels.

[@christinaknapp5553]

I have always loved the barn building scene. So beautiful.

[@petercastaneda5338]

Man, you hit it right on the head girl. Movies nowadays are so busy trying to subvert expectations they forget they’re trying to entertain the audience. You’ve obviously studied film. 👍🏼

[@Bfdidc]

Media literacy has its downsides. Instead of “what happens next?” we are all trying to look for the twist.

[@petercastaneda5338]

Very true 👍🏼

[@JohnDAmico-ci2hz]

​@@BfdidcExactly. Just watch the movie....

[@jimmcdonald4087]

The "mailbox" is a Purple Martin house. Farmers that don't use insecticides know a colony of martins will eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer.

[@islandseeker1260]

I was going to say those Amish mailmen must be real tall. But I prefer your non-sarcastic and more informative response!

[@dougearnest7590]

"You be careful out there among them English" is one of the greatest lines in cinematic history.

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

It's repeated in the Simpsons

[@3DJapan]

Yes, it kind of shows that he's been accepted as one of them.

[@daryl772003]

​@@3DJapan Not kind of. Definitely

[@spacemanspiff3052]

Great movie! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it and am grateful for the opportunity to watch along.

[@torbjornkvist]

There is this great little story about Australian director Peter Weir and his problem finding the perfect actress for Rachel's role. He had a vision of an exceptional-looking woman, almost biblical, holy, something... They tested up to 1, 000 actresses, famous, not-so-famous, superstars, nothing, and the producers went crazy on him. So they brought in Lynn Stalmaster, the legendary agent and casting director. Weir gave her a name to hold on to as a guide, Ingrid Bergman, the Swedish actress (Casablanca). Stalmaster went away for a couple of days and when she came back she had only one folder in her hand and she threw it on Weir's desk. "It's her or no one", she said. Peter Weir opened the folder and there she was, Kelly McGillis. She was absolutely perfect in her debut role.

[@frankie3041]

It wasn't her debut role. She was the lead actress in 1983’s Reuben, Reuben with Tom Conti.

[@3DJapan]

I grew up in Philly and spent a out of time in Lancaster as a kid and teen. We saw a lot of Amish driving down the road in horse and buggies. I go through that train station every couple months and think about this movie every time.

[@Lynn705Hal]

One of my fav Harrison Ford movies. Thanks for your reaction.

[@reesebn38]

Witness was a huge hit in Feb 1985. It knocked Beverly Hills Cop out of the number one box office spot. This movie changed Harrison Ford's career. Before Witness he was only known as an action hero not a serious or a good actor. This is Harrison's only Oscar nomination. The director Peter Weir is Australia's greatest filmmaker. Peter Weir made Mel Gibson an international movie star. He also made Harrison, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey into serious great actors. A must watch of his films are "Gallipoli", "The Year of Living Dangerously", "Dead Poets Society", "The Truman Show", "Master and Commander". All of these films are some of the greatest movies ever made! Peter Weir is brilliant!! Witness is my favorite film of his.

[@andrewcrowder4958]

I second the “Master and Commander” nod.

[@avanoosterhout8397]

A very much overlooked collaboration by Peter Weir/Harrison Ford is Mosquito Coast from 1986.

[@Murphaderf]

Truman show is massively overrated.

[@reesebn38]

@@avanoosterhout8397 I loved that movie when it came but now I realize it's not a good movie. No one wants to watch Harrison Ford abuse kids for 2 hours.

[@altaclipper]

I don't know why no one knows "The Year of Living Dangerously". Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson at the peak of their attractiveness and Linda Hunt was completely amazing.

[@4Kandlez]

Great reaction Coby, loved the mailbox gaffe 😉. Why cant they make proper films like this anymore

[@super6081]

LOL...a Mailbox...thats ten feet in the air...LOL, you crack me up Coby 😃

[@TracyPerren-cn3ol]

It's for air mail.

[@super6081]

HAHAHAHA....Tracy you made me spit out my coffee...burst out laughing....😂

[@SoCalMeerkat]

They still use pigeons to deliver mail. So technically.

[@super6081]

You all are coming up with great ones...LOLOL 😃

[@detlefmorrison3316]

Hahahaha at least 10

[@gregfagan199]

The chemistry between Ford and McGillis was palpable. And the respect shown for the Amish way of life was truly wonderful. Every day when my life is leaving for work, I say, "You be careful out among them English." The only realistic ending was to have both characters remain in their respective worlds. Any other scenario wouldn't have rung true.

[@ianhill8345]

This is one my fav harrison ford movies so glad Coby is doing it. Great story and twist. Big fan of the director Peter Weir who is from Australia. He has done some classic moves. Big thumbs up

[@criminalcontent]

thanks for watching !

[@stevesmith4600]

Samuel (Lucas), I believe DID go back for the gun. But when seeing his grandfather, he remembered the speech, and that his grandfather said there is always an alternative. The alternative became ringing the bell. So, he did have a decision to make, and he made the one taught from is upbringing. Would love to see you react to both Presumed Innocent and Regarding Henry ... two other Harrison Ford movies

[@InlandOne]

As a retired US military vet & LEO, I’m amazed at your police/military intuitive skills wile following the plots & backstories of the protagonists in this & other movies. It makes your reactions stand out & very enjoyable to watch. Nice.

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

Harrison Ford was known mainly for sci-fi and adventure movies. He got Aussie director Peter Weir to direct him in “Witness” as a serious actor. Robin Williams was known for comedies, though he had trained at the Julliard school. He got Peter Weir to direct him in a serious role in “Dead Poet’s Society.” So Jim Carrey also wanting to show he could act seriously got Peter Weir to direct him in “The Truman Show” Each of these actors believed that Peter Weir could help bring out the serious side of their acting.

[@melanie62954]

This never occurred to me, but you're right! He is so good at bringing out the soul in every actor he works with.

[@rjly]

"Frantic" is a similar era Harrison Ford film that's worth the watch also.

[@frankie3041]

Yes. Coby should react to “Frantic”. She’d love everything about it.

[@cbobwhite5768]

Years before Harrison Ford started acting, he was a carpenter.

[@davidcorriveau8615]

He was asked by producers of 'Star Wars' to help out with an audition by being the actor opposite the actor being auditioned. He was there doing a carpentry job but was known to the producers to also be an actor. It got Ford the part of Han Solo.

[@electronics-girl]

Yeah, I wondered if that was an "in-joke", having his character be a carpenter, too.

[@davidcorriveau8615]

@@electronics-girl I suspect not a joke...it was something the actor could do that would fit in very well with the setting...why not use it.

[@konowd]

@@davidcorriveau8615 bingo, adds to the realism of the story

[@frankie3041]

The acting came first. He learnt carpentry while he was a struggling actor to make ends meet.

[@marieoleary8438]

That statue in 30th Street station in Philly is an Angel holding up a WW1 soldier. I’ve been in that station many times but after seeing this movie, when it came out, I made a point to seek it out. It’s very Beautiful.

[@Padre.K1880]

As always, love your reaction. You light up when you recognize actors.

[@philpaine3068]

The scene with the Sam Cooke song is magical. It made it clear that Harrison Ford is a superb actor. In real life, Ford is an experienced and skilled carpenter, which adds to the verisimilitude in one of the scenes. Lukas Haas was eight when he appeared in this film, but he had a supporting role in Testament (1983) when he was five. He was utterly charming in Mars Attacks! (1996). He had a wide range of roles, including a challenging performance in the grim film Johns (1996), as well as a musical career.

[@Dr.Acula76]

I was born and raised in Lancaster, PA. I used to go to the Dairy Queen in the opening scene on route 30. My good friend's brother was an extra. He was one of the Amish in the barn raising scene.

[@markmoore236]

This is such a great movie,one of my favorites

[@thoso1973]

Daniel Hockleiter is played by late actor and dancer Alexander Godunov, whom you might remember as the thug Karl hunting down Bruce Willis in DIE HARD. And yes, it's Viggo Mortensen. Your eyes serve you well, Coby! The raising the barn scene works so well when you know that Harrison Ford was a real carpenter before turning to acting. He worked on some of Coppola's early films in that capacity before being offered roles.

[@d1sp0s1t10n]

I will forever believe he should have won an oscar for this film.

[@zmarko]

I love how well versed, knowledgeable, and passionate Coby is about film. She can spot people she knows instantly, not just by face, but by name and credits and everything. Watching her truly enjoy and appreciate films I love is a joy.

[@joshuacampbell7493]

I recommend Harrison Ford again in Air Force One & The Fugitive. Another awesome movies of him ❤.

[@reesebn38]

Add Presumed Innocent (1990).

[@zmarko]

Add his 2 films in the Jack Ryan series...Patriot Games, and Clear & Present Danger. (After watching The Hunt for Red October, of course.

[@stevenprice8253]

The movie he made directly after Witness, The Mosquito Coast, is excellent as well and is also directed by Peter Weir. Harrison Ford's character is unlike anything he has ever played.

[@reesebn38]

@@stevenprice8253 His character abuses kids for 2 hours. It is not a good movie.

[@MrAitraining]

This and "Clear and Present Danger" are my fav harrison ford performances.

[@Osprey850]

The 80s were filled with movies that studios have tried to mimic or duplicate ever since, but it's been almost 40 years and I still haven't seen another movie like Witness. It feels like it just gets even more special as time passes.

[@konowd]

@@Osprey850 it’s very unique

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

It's kind of different but quiet beautiful moments I think Terrence Malick's 'Tree of Life' is a good contender since then. There's his earlier film Days of Heaven as well. David Lynch's 'The Straight Story' is a beautiful, tender, quiet film as well. Neither have the perfect blend of thriller and pastoral lyricism that Witness has, though. There's a very good 40's movie called '49th Parallel' which has a moving sequence amongst the Canadian hutterites. The film is a thriller and it has a good mix of humour, landscape, darkness and diparate men and women combining to defeat an evil. It's a bit niche though. In general all of Powell & Pressburger's films have a great lyricism and a theme of communities and self-contained worlds. Black Narcissus, The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, The Red Shoes, Matter of Life & Death, I Know Where I'm Going and A Canterbury Tale are all great watches.

[@Osprey850]

@@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures Maybe I should've been more specific, but it was kind of more the subject and setting that I was referring to. We see hardly any movies about the Amish and other types of private people. Despite the praise, Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) and new interest in Amish, Hollywood seemingly didn't try to capitalize on it. Also, Witness was very educational and probably introduced most people, including me, to the Amish. Films that can do that (without being heavy handed) are special. I appreciate your recommendations, though, and I'm definitely going to check out 49th Parallel. Thanks.

[@melanie62954]

@@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures Powell and Pressburger are my favorite filmmakers! Nearly everything they touched is worth watching. I especially love A Canterbury Tale for its pastoral romanticism.

[@torbjornkvist]

The title WITNESS has a double meaning. In the beginning, little Samuel is the witness of a murder, he sees the killer. In the end, Samuel summons the Amish community with the bell and they come running to help. They have no guns, and no wish to use violence, but they can bear witness to what's happening. If Chief Schaeffer wanted to shoot someone, they would all see it and that takes out the violence in the end. That's the strongest weapon the Amish have, I guess.

[@THEHIRAM138]

John Book..What a layered character! Every actor shines and Danny Glover walking over that hill with his shotgun is a scary yet strangely beautiful shot . Peter weir is at his absolute best, and that’s saying something . Great reaction 😊

[@curtisdyoung3350]

Fantastic reaction from Coby. Her intuitions throughout this movie were amazing. Her enthusiasm with the storyline was an added bonus. 👍🏽🏆❤️

[@christiansabotta6368]

My favorite part is when they ring the bell and everyone comes running!

[@antondzajajurca7797]

You mean "the cute little bell" ? :D

[@stevenprice8253]

A minor quibble about one of my favorite movies: the community comes running when the bell rings, but ignore the sounds of shotgun blasts at seven o'clock in the morning?

[@stuartparker-q3o]

@@stevenprice8253 I thought about that too, but later learned that (some) Amish hunt/shoot wildlife (deer and squirrel) in addition to their farming beef and pork. So (as here in NC), not too unusual to hear (in-season) distant gunfire, esp at dawn and dusk.

[@MartyHarrison-cx4gu]

Just found this channel a few weeks ago. Definitely one of the best I have seen ! She's just a great personality from a beautiful lady !

[@zmarko]

Coby does reactions on Popcorn Roulette also, if you haven't seen her over there (same crew, they just split up the reactions to the 2 separate channels).

[@dainfarley9057]

Brilliant, my wish came true and someone finally reacted to witness an absolute gem of a film. Nice one ✌️👌

[@hippylong]

I love movie time with you. The giant mailbox was a "Purple Martin" house for wild birdies.

[@zmarko]

31:05 "He's weird" He is also the great Alexander Godunov, who was Karl (the head henchman) in Die Hard.

[@maestro80smusic93]

I lived in Lancaster for 20 years (had to move away during pandemic shutdown)... A very interesting area. Where I lived (near Dutch Wonderland theme park), you could go one way for five minutes and be in Amish farm country (they like to play volleyball at night by lantern / candlelight), or go five minutes the other way and be in downtown Lancaster city...The Walmart near me had an area for buggies to tie up the horses... and yes, this movie had Aragorn and the #2 bad guy from Die Hard

[@DylanMadd]

They showed this movie to us in ‘Acting for the Camera’ class in college. It’s a very solid example of 3-act structure: 1) Man is in his own regular world, which gets interrupted/turned upside down. 2) He has to (literally) enter a ‘new world’ he doesn’t understand. 3) He learns how to BE in the new world and merges his old ways with his new understanding. Thesis/antithesis/synthesis.

[@user-gt2uf8cq9y]

Ballet dancer Alexander Gudonov's two key movie credits... a psycho in Die Hard and an Amish in Witness.

[@mikefoster6018]

He was in The Money Pit (a Tom Hanks and Shelley Long film) etc.

[@Shocker74]

@@mikefoster6018 Yea i was about to write, Godunov had a fun minor role in that one. Also a kind of underrated film, actually.

[@ResidentPetrolhead]

​@@Shocker74(Godunov, as Max, has just finished conducting an orchestral performance. He pauses) "The union forces me to allow you to go to lunch, in spite of the way you've played. Those of you with consciences will not be able to eat. And those whose consciences match your talents...go and stuff yourselves! I hope you choke."

[@mikefoster6018]

@@Shocker74 When Tom Hanks gets trapped in the rug in the hole in the floor and it's so tight he can't scream XD There's an awesome film called After Hours that channels some of that disaster insanity - maybe more-so!

[@bonya4585]

The birdhouse is a beautiful Martin birdhouse. They live in a condo like home. So sweet.

[@stupidsmart-phone6911]

I just realized that was Robert Earl Jones as the custodian at the train station. I recognize his voice as Luther from The Sting. He was the father of James Earl Jones. (maybe I knew that before, but didn't make the connection before now)

[@wham-shirt-trimmer]

I recognized him from Sleepaway Camp when heard his voice. 😂😂

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

Wow! Had no idea! But there's no mistaking the Earl Jones voice. I bet the neighbours got out on to their porches to enjoy the performance when him and his son would argue over James finishing his chores.

[@robertberman6692]

wow! I was thinking, "He sure looks like James Earl Jones, but isn't him."

[@NarnianRailway]

Like his grandfather Eli, Samuel has a good heart. Fabulous movie reaction.

[@criminalcontent]

Many thanks !

[@watchreadplayretro]

Brilliant! Harrison Fords famous 'confused' face, where he looks perplexed with his eyes wide and shifty, it's cheesy as hell and his fall-back acting in almost all his movies and yet he does it so well that it IS acting and is hilarious (like when he first comes round from the injury to see them all standing there at his bed). If any other actor did that more than a few times I'd start to not like them, but with Harrison it never gets old lol Thanks for another wonderful reaction, had not seen this in so long! I might have even last watched it rented from Blockbuster lol

[@Holeyguagaamoley]

Thanks Coby , time and again Im impressed by your script ideas, really good insight.

[@3DJapan]

You kept going on about Lukas Haas I had to look up what else he's been in. I didn't know that was the same actor in Mars Attacks.

[@3DJapan]

I also had a dairy farm field trip as a kid. I was the only one brave enough to milk the cow. Ironically I now live within walking distance of that farm.

[@IWDTC]

Hard to hear at 46: 04, but when Book beats the pulp out of the town jack wagons.. he yells." Get him out of here!!" Great reaction as usual Cobi..😊

[@damianstarks3338]

This one Harrison Ford’s best movies happy to see you reacting to this 80s Harrison Ford movie

[@Jmyth44]

Alexander, Goudnov the tall, blonde and witness and Die Hard is one of the greatest ballet dancers in history from Russia he left ballet at the height of his powers for Hollywood By the way, if you want to see an excellent romcom with the Amish For “ Richer or Poorer “ Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley. It’s an excellent movie.

[@joegammacide3204]

You’re so cute, a mailbox. I think the word you were looking for is birdhouse. Keep up the good work love all your reactions! Upon further inspection, you did figure it out lol… ❤

[@IHeartShenanigans]

There is a large community of Amish where I live in Minnesota. I used to do some work for some of them. They tolerated my crew, but didn't really like us much. One day I was talking with the old man of the family while we watched his sons stack firewood, and I mentioned they should have parked the wagon closer, especially because it was muddy where they were. He said he had told them how to do it, but they didn't do it the right way, and the horse had quit on them. I said "Finally, something we all have in common." He looked at me like I'd thrown mud right on him and he says "What?" in a mean sort of voice. I said "Our children all think they know more than we do!" And he laughed and laughed and said "Ya, das ist trut!"

[@tommc4916]

I've shopped at Amish markets in Maryland, and they are perfectly happy to do business with we "English." They produce fantastic baked goods, jams/jellies, cured meats and smoked cheeses (and AWESOME fresh farm produce), and they make high-quality handmade bedding and furniture to customer specifications. They also don't have a problem with electricity if needed to provide refrigeration for the foodstuffs they sell. They arrange with "English" to drive them by truck and van down to the marketplaces and back home. Some Amish families run restaurants with home-style stick-to-your-ribs cooking, and you will get a fine and GENEROUS meal there. They're good people who make good neighbors.

[@AI_Image_Master]

My understanding is that they are not necessarily against technology. They reject technology that is seen as a threat to their values or that could disrupt their family or community. But on a certain level they except certain uses of technology. For an example they will reject the use of a personal computer, but they may run a store or business in the town and have to file sales tax electronically. So they may except that use of technology either by themselves or by someone else. As in the film she was able to ride the train under certain circumstances. Now I may not be explaining it 100% correctly. And yes their is a giant Amish buffet in Lancaster County PA that is supposed to be awesome.

[@wreckingKREW1]

My second favorite Harrison Ford role. Number one being Decker in "Blade Runner". But then that may be my favorite movie of all-time.

[@inmoviesempire]

two real good Rachels

[@drewskull5181]

I was 14 years old when this movie came out. I was all about action, adventure, sci-fi, horror, etc. This movie has basically an action/thriller/cop drama on both ends of the movie. I never wanted the middle of it to end...

[@drewskull5181]

Plus the scene in the police station where he points to the picture... No dialogue, but exposition galore!!! 👩‍🍳😙

[@Kasino80]

The scene with him beating the bully, is so good because you can see the fear and hopelessness within him from learning his partner's been killed. This is his only way to keep sane.

[@PeterEvansPeteTakesPictures]

I also really like how it gives the audience nothing, deliberately. You get keyed up for the cool, "Ha! Harrison will show them!" and feel a sense of payoff and when the violence happens it's not pleasing or carthartic at all, there's no sense of triumph or justice or release, it's just violence and a feeling of frustration.

[@MasterCommanderBastid]

2points: 1- I still have this original VHS movie in my collection . One of my favorite HF films. 2- The way Coby geeks out about the boy’s “little suit” is pretty much me,watching her reactions! 😂 I just find her irresistibly adorable. 🥰 Although you’re not supposed to say that out loud because you’re considered creepy. 😔

[@brianmulholland1474]

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed your reaction, Coby -- you have the most luminous presence on all of KZbin. But given your track record for instantly spotting actors in small roles (the way you spotted Viggo Mortensen in this), I was surprised that you didn't seem to recognize Alexander Godunov right away. He was such an interesting figure; he was a huge star in the Soviet Union, the premier dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet who, like Baryshnikov, siezed his opportunity while on a North American tour (Misha in Canada, Godunov in NYC) to elude his chaperone, seek political asylum, and successfully defect. He then found some success as an actor, but alas, he was an extremely heavy drinker, which led to his passing at a very young age -- he was only 45 when he died in the mid-1990's.

[@rickellis1321]

Yes. It's Viggo

[@Greybeardmedic]

I am actually in favor of how it ended, peacefully! It was the Amish way that worked. It was the peer pressure of a community that said "No more violence here". I think it was the right choice for the director. Thank you Harrison Ford for a wonderful piece of cinema! Oh yeah, thank you also Coby! 😊

[@terryallen345]

I love two things about this film. It gives a respectful glimpse into Amish life and the scene where the killer gets identified plus the goodbye have no dialogue. A master class in unspoken communication 🇭🇲

[@georgezee5173]

That "mailbox" was WAY too tall to be a mailbox, Coby 🤣 Loved your reaction!

[@edwardwonghaupepelutivrusk6666]

This movie has the most romantic dance scene in movie history.

[@AMortalDefiant]

That huge birdhouse is used to attract purple martins, who like to live in large colonies. They are native to PA, and much of the eastern US.

[@dougearnest7590]

45:15 - Oh how I long for those good ol' days, before the McDonald's ice cream machine broke.

[@shainewhite2781]

This was the first and only film Harrison Ford was nominated for Best Actor.

[@criminalcontent]

did not realize that

[@Killlerbee]

This was filmed not far from my home of 50 years. My family background is PA-Dutch but not Amish. Still, watching this brings back so many youthful memories.

[@stuartparker-q3o]

One of my all-time favorite movies. One of my favorite (subtle ?) moments was when 'stern' Eli (Jan Rubes) caught John Book's frustrated double-entendre, about "teats", and busted out in laughter (suggesting that there's more to his character than meets the eye). And his final acknowledgement of Book: "You Be Careful out among them English". Knowledge of the movie "Witness" generated mixed reactions among the Amish, since it triggered heightened (and some unwanted) tourist interest in them, and also painted only a semi-accurate portrait of them. In reality, the Amish are fairly diverse, with different communities having different rules/regulations ("Ordnung"}. And (I have read) some Amish use (off-the-electric-grid) solar/propane-powered equipment Specifically on their dairy/other farms, or hire outside contractors to process their agricultural products. This is often considered OK, so long as they still reject such modern conveniences in their home/personal lives (but, as always, use gas/kerosene lamps for indoor lighting). As is well known, their teens are allowed to dabble in more "worldly" exposures for a time ("Rumspringa"), before deciding whether to fully commit their lives to the Amish, or to leave the community. Single men are shaven, while married men grow beards (perhaps an overgeneralization - IDK). Scheaffer's description of them as a "cult" betrays his outsider ignorance. Viggo Mortenson was born in Watertown NY and attended my high school there, graduating 2 yrs before I did. I never met him (that I remember) but my elder sister and her friends remember him fondly. Alexander Godunov ("Daniel") defected from the USSR during a Bolshoi Ballet tour and is also remembered in the US for his film roles. Sadly (and ironically vs his role in "Witness"), he died young from complications due to alcoholism :(

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

A great reaction, Coby, when this came out it was very well received, but it seems to have been forgotten about today. Another film with a similar theme which you might like is, "Narrow Margin" from 1990, I don't think that you'll be disappointed.

[@izzonj]

The Amish fought with the only weapon they could use: their witness! It was stronger than guns. Very interesting casting. Book's sister was played by Broadway great, Patty Lupone (Evita!). The hot Amish guy was world-class ballet dancer, Alexander Gudanov. I think this was Danny Glovers's first film.

[@mauriceedwards9588]

I really do think Harrison Ford should have won an Oscar for this performance he was nominated they even worked the barn building part so Harrison could do some carpentry one of his favourite hobbies.p.s you old Romantic you. 😂

[@chiefhandker9432]

A mailbox😂 Well, if they use pigeons to deliver the mail...sure my love.🌹

[@athertox]

The director of this film is Peter Weir. There’s actually a shot in this film where the woman removes her headwear before she’s about to do something important (a kiss). This symbolic gesture really reminds me of a moment in another of Weir’s films, Dead Poets Society, where a boy also removes his stage headwear. Weir also directed The Mosquito Coast, which starred Harrison Ford as well.

[@vincelang3779]

Weir has a terrific filmography and can turn even a blah script (GREEN CARD) into an enjoyable time at the movies. I don't think he's ever made a stinker and his best are really tops : MASTER AND COMMANDER, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, GALLIPOLI, TRUMAN SHOW - his resume is *_impressive!_*

[@athertox]

@@vincelang3779 Absolutly.

[@arraymac227]

Being married to a Haas when this film came out added a special charm to it. Jan Rubes was a doppelganger for one my then-wife's uncles.

[@Shadowace724]

Great underappreciated flick! Great reaction Coby! Mailbox!

[@criminalcontent]

Much appreciated!

[@skylinerunner1695]

The birdhouse was on an 8 foot pole, so the mail person would have to a giant, or on stilts to deliver a letter.

[@alicestevens8291]

This movie is way underrated.

[@criminalcontent]

indeed

[@privatewhitford]

Such a great movie, I wish more people watched this!

[@criminalcontent]

indeed

[@thisisscorpio6024]

(32:17) And, being a Master Carpenter, Harrison Ford could restore that birdhouse.

[@ibereprof]

COBY YOU THINK AS A WRITER, so you can antecipate moves from the next scenes, this is not common, but shows capacity of observation and perception ! congratulations.

[@criminalcontent]

many thanks !

[@codymr1974]

Jan Rubeš (Eli Lapp) lived down the street from me when I was a kid. He had a children's show on the local public TV channel. He was an exceptionally kind individual and I was saddened to read his obit when he passed a few years back.

[@Kasino80]

So many great actors and actresses in this movie. Ford, McGillis, Glover, Josef Sommer, Patti Lupone, Viggo Mortensen, Alexander Gudunov. Not to mention every single Amish.

[@ablazindevilhead]

I've always loved this flick. I think at the time Harry was nominated for an Oscar. And if I remember right, the clip they showed was the scene with him and Lucas on the bed with the gun. But there's a lot going on with this flick. Harry was a carpenter at one point. And yet carpentry is a huge emotional beat in this. And I dig how the title shifts from one person in the movie to another. First, Samuel is the witness, but then it's Booke.

[@sld1776]

Coby is amazing. How did she foresaw that twist? 👏👏👏

[@KlassyKat45]

This is my favorite Harrison Ford movie, ever. There is a scene that was cut out of the original release and only shown on TV a couple of times. The morning after Book takes Rachel and Samuel to his sister's place there is a scene in the kitchen where Elaine is offended by something Rachel says and then goes upstairs. Rachel takes her some coffee, apologizes for whatever she said that offended her. Elaine said it was ok and they do girl-talk. That is what Rachel was talking about in that restaurant where they were eating hotdogs. They must be from a more progressive or open group of Amish people as they are not usually permitted to ride in anything with an engine.

[@brandanwakefield8754]

My favorite line. “It’s not our way.” “But it’s my way.”

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

Who noticed the future Aragorn in a bit role?? [Viggo Mortensen as an Amish farmer/villager]. YOU did !! ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤ 🤘🤘 [He might've, still, been married to Exene Cervenka at this point 🤷🤷....]

[@andrewcrowder4958]

Their kid Henry appears in Crimson Tide.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

@andrewcrowder4958 I was not aware of that. TY 👍

[@TheBriguy33]

Just subscribed. 1st reaction I've seen in full, but have seen you in compilations. Love your personality :) This movie is excellent and great performance from Harrison Ford. There is actually a small town maybe 20 minutes from me that is mostly Amish. I still occasionally see families shop at the store I work at. The barn raising scene is still 1 of the best in films. Peter Weir directed another great film Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams, who also received an Oscar nomination.

[@blakewilliams5627]

This was one of the 1st VHS tapes my family owned when I was a kid.

[@billross7245]

I was living about 20 miles from Amish country in Ohio just about a year before this film came out. Passed a lot of buggies on the road and around town. Really enjoyed seeing it on the big screen in the theater.

[@williamjones6031]

Thank you for reviewing this wonderful film. 1. This movie fits easily in my top 10 because I find the Amish fascinating people. 2. I prefer Kelly's performance over Charlie in "Top Gun".😍😍 3. This movie gave Ford the opportunity to show off his wood working skills. Fun Fact: Before he became famous he would, from time to time, roadie for The Grateful Dead. 4. Daniel/Alexander Godunov😇 was an interesting story. He started as a ballet dancer and eventually emigrated to the US from Russia. He also played in "Die Hard" and "The Money Pit". Tom Hanks. 5. I met Danny Glover on the set of "Flight of the Intruder". He didn't have to change much to play this guy. He thought his didn't stink.

[@joedinunzio1200]

Robert Earl Jones, father of James Earl Jones, as the janitor that discovers the body in the train station.