WITNESS (1985)

My son objected at first, particularly after seeing the trailer. “A detective story? In Amish country? There’s a barn-raising scene? Are you kidding me, Dad?” I implored him to at least watch the first few minutes with me before rendering final judgment. It worked. He was totally drawn in to the Harrison Ford movie, and I think it’s because Witness is not only about a man trying to solve a murder while saving his own life, but also about someone immersing himself in a culture that is completely different from his own. That changes him in important ways even as he struggles to hold on to his beliefs and values. That’s where the conflict plays out and makes Witness so compelling. That and the barn-raising scene, which my son actually thought was pretty cool.