One of the most highly regarded actors of the last fifty years, believe it or not, Harrison Ford has only had a singular Oscar nomination. The star of many massively successful films – from 1977’s Star Wars and 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, into 1991’s Regarding Henry and 1993’s The Fugitive, plus many more – it astounding to note that the only role he has ever received the Oscar nomination for is 1985’s Witness.
Filmed in 1984, Witness actually earned a total of eight Academy Award nominations (including Ford’s for Best Actor) at the 58th Academy Awards held in March of 1986. Taking home two of those eight nominations (one for Best Screenplay by Earl W. Wallace, William Kelley and Pamela Wallace, with the other Best Film Editing from Thom Noble), unfortunately neither was for Ford. With the Best Actor award going to William Hurt for his role in 1985’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, some may say Ford was snubbed, and if you have ever seen Witness, you might agree.
Considered by many as a surprise hit of 1985, Witness ranked in the top 10 of all box office sales that year; with only Back to the Future, Beverly Hills Cop, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rocky IV, and Cocoon in front of it. A different type of motion picture than the five mentioned, Witness is a compelling story that is best described as a Romance Thriller. Directed by the award-nominated Peter Weir (known for everything from 1989’s Dead Poets Society to 1998’s The Truman Show), with the help of a strong screenplay and stellar cast, Witness stood out in the crowd.
Summarizing it, the plot surrounds a young Amish Boy named Samuel Lapp (played by Lukas Haas who is known for many roles including 1988’s Lady in White and 1996’s Mars Attacks!) who bears witness to a brutal murder that leaves him in grave danger. A stranger in a strange land, he and his mother Rachel Lapp (portrayed by Kelly McGillis famous for films like 1986’s Top Gun, as well as 1988’s The Accused) are taken under the protection of a strong idealistic police officer named John Book (Harrison Ford), who soon finds himself also a prime target. From here, Book takes refuge in an Amish Community, forming a bond with the boy, but also his widowed mother.
A bit of a different kind of love story, you cannot help but feel the emotions of each of the characters within it all. Furthermore, seldom does the outside world ever see within the Amish Community, other than as gruesome spectators. This in mind, Witness actually stirred a bit of controversy among the Amish Community who felt that the film was exploiting them. A fair point of view, all of this led to Pennsylvania making an asserted effort to not promote Amish communities as filming locations from this point on. Something out of respect for those who live there, in defense of Witness, while there certainly is a level of exploitation of the Amish, if you are a decent human being, you cannot help but find more respect and understanding for these people and their way of life after watching the film. However, this is not the normal mentality, and sadly most would probably just seek superficial gratification by invading their communities, only to impolitely stare as a form of mockery.
In the end, Witness is a top-rate Thriller with extensive character development and a keen sense of heart and sensitivity. At this point, nearly forty years since the initial release, you have either seen the film or have not. If you missed it during the theatrical run, you had the chance to rent the VHS in 1986, purchase it on Laserdisc that same year, before the several other home media releases arrived decades later; including a DVD in 1999 and Blu-ray edition in 2015. However, in 2023 Arrow Video became the first to ever release Witness to a 4K Ultra HD format.
Put out there back on October 31, 2023 as a beautiful Limited Edition set (including a 60-page booklet, a fold-out double-sided poster, and six double-sided collector’s postcards), now in 2024 there is the simplified Standard Edition release. Looking at the more recent release for a moment, the Standard Edition arrived on March 19, 2024 and features Witness in 4K presentation on a Blu-ray disc, accompanied by a simple case that features reversible art; the original theatrical poster on one side, and new art by Tommy Pocket on the other. Pretty cut and dry, there are still the same bonus features on the disc itself; including a list of interviews worth checking out. So, the difference between the two editions honestly boiled down to the fact that naturally 2023’s Limited Edition has plenty more to the packaging, as outlined.
In the end, if you are someone who appreciates the extras, such as thoughtful crafted packages and booklets, the Limited Edition may be worth looking into (however, you would need to seek it secondhand since it is sold out through Arrow Video). Although, whichever path you decide to take, you are still going to get the same 4K Ultra HD transfer to Blu-ray… and the quality is certainly superior to any prior home media release. Let us also not forget that when the 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition rolled out last October, so did a Limited Edition in Blu-ray; which is actually presented in 1080p, opposed to the 2160p presentation featured on the 4K Ultra HD transfer. Many options to select from, be happy with what fits your needs, because Cryptic Rock gives these newly released and highly clarified editions of Witness 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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