WITNESS
Another week with no new films...so sad. So another deep dive revisit!! Going back 35 years, to 1985. The Oscar Nominated....Witness. For this deep dive I went back and watched the film. It holds up well. And you know what? It is still a damn good film.
Lets look at who missed out or turned down the lead roles..................
Sylvestor Stallone turned down the role of John Book
Kevin Costner and Mel Gibson was considered for the role of John Book
Well let me do a deep dive into this film with some fun and not so fun facts.........................
-Kelly McGillis was working in New York, in a coffee house, not really thinking she would get the part she tried out for weeks ago. In walked Director Peter Weir and Harrison Ford into the shop to offer her the role of Rachel. Now that is a great day at work!!
-It was a good 2 years for this unknown Kelly McGillis, the following year came Top Gun.
-Kelly McGillis actually lived with an Amish widow and her 7 children before filming began to get the speech down, and cadence down. To also observe her daily life.
-At the same time Harrison Ford was spending time with the Philadelphia Police Department. He actually went on a couple raids.
-If you look close you will see Viggo Mortensen as Moses. His feature film debut!
-A good chunk of the film was filmed on the Paul Krantz farm in Strasburg Pennsylvania. Also in and around Lancaster County. This happens to be an area close to where I live.
-The barn was actually built but unfortunately the barn was then torn down The water wheel in the film was made for the film and also torn apart.
-The Amish community declined to be in the film, you see Mennonites playing the Amish extras. However the Amish community was very interested in the filming and were often standing behind Director Peter Weir while filming, just watching. Which is funny, because the elders were upset that they were disrupting their life.
-Harrison Ford was nominated for an Oscar for this role. Surprisingly his only nomination for an Oscar since. My favorite ever Harrison Ford scene...watch he never says a word. But his face...he grabs the boys hand...
-Looking at the famous dance scene: The song Wonderful World was chosen by Harrison Ford. It sounds like Sam Cooke, however it was sung by a sound alike Greg Chapman. Yes they looked sweaty, well thats because it was filmed during the day, in the summer, in a blacked out barn to make it look like night.
-The film was originally called Home To Witness
-At the end, there was 10 pages of dialog written, for one last conversation between Rachel and Book. Director Weir thought one last look was enough, that they knew. He ripped the 10 pages up. Kind of sad...right?
Well lets see where they are now..............
-Lukas Haas (Samuel), he is still working as an actor. He has worked with Woody Allen; Christopher Nolan; Gus Van Sant; and Tim Burton. So he is doing okay lol. Oh by the way, his mother played an Amish woman in the film.
-Danny Glover (McFee), went on to do the Lethal Weapon films. He was last seen in the latest Jumanji film.
-Kelly McGillis (Rachel), well she is still working sporadically. She went on to do Top Gun; The Accused; and Made In Heaven to just name a few. She just did a small part in the Dirty John TV series.
-Alexander Godunov (Hochleitner), he of course went on to star in Die Hard. Before these films he was known as a world class ballet dancer in Russia. He sadly dies at the age of 45, found dead in a car. His physician said it was natural causes.
-Harrison Ford (John Book), went on to do nothing...a small sci-fi film and an action movie about a treasure hunter. That's it. LOSER!!
-Patti LuPone (Elaine, Johns sister)-, went on to become one of the greatest stage actresses of our time. 2 time Tony Award winner.
Well let me finish this with my favorite quotes:
-You be careful out there among those English.
-Schtulpig? Whats Schtulpig?
-You take a picture of me with that thing lady, I am going to rip your brassiere off and strangle you with it.
-Whacking, I am hell at whacking
-Honey That's Great Coffee
Well go back and watch this film if you have not seen it for awhile. It won the Oscar for best screenplay. It is a great wonderful story with a slow build. I mean you can rent it for 3 bucks.
From the shadows, thanks for your time as always,
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