Summary
- Harrison Ford's best movie may not be what you expect - the 1985 thriller Witness shines with emotional performances.
- Despite success, Witness is often overshadowed by Ford's other iconic roles - deserving more recognition for its unique story.
- An engaging mix of thriller and love story, Witness showcases a different side of Ford and deserves more attention from viewers.
Over the course of his career, Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Blade Runner and Jack Ryan. Yet, even with all these sequels, Ford still had time to star in other, smaller movies. As it turns out, these underrated and forgotten Harrison Ford films may just include his greatest performances of all time.
While audiences may have their own opinions on what Harrison Ford's best movie is, a strong indicator of what films really stand out is accolades. Over the years, Ford has accumulated several award nominations from countless associations. Ford has been honored with nominations by the Critics' Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, the MTV Awards, and the Peoples' Choice Awards. However, one notable fact is that Harrison Ford has only ever received one Academy Award nomination, and it is for a movie that most would not expect.
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Witness Is Harrison Ford's Best Movie Performance
What Makes Witness So Good
What could be Harrison Ford's best movie is the 1985 thriller, Witness. The movie stars Ford as John Book, a police officer who takes in a young Amish boy and his mother, Rachel, after they witness a brutal murder. However, when Book realizes that the crime may be connected to his own police department, he secretly s the pair's Amish community. As Book works to solve the crime, a forbidden romance develops between him and Rachel. The Harrison Ford action movie earned an impressive $112 million at the box office. Furthermore, it has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As John Book, Ford is emotional, sympathetic, and captivating.
Despite being a lesser-known Harrison Ford movie, Witness definitely has all the makings of a great film. It has a unique premise that manages to feel fresh while also hitting all the right beats for an engaging thriller. Critics praised the film for being tense and exciting, but more importantly, for raising questions about the choices individuals make and how that affects their lives. Most importantly though, Witness is Ford's best movie because the actor gives his greatest performance. As John Book, Ford is emotional, sympathetic, and captivating. Witness flawlessly combines an enticing thriller with a meaningful love story.
Witness Performed Well On Release, But Is Outshone By Other Ford Roles
Witness Deserves More Attention
The sad truth about Witness is that, despite its 1985 success, it is a film that has been buried underneath Harrison Ford's other accomplishments. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Ford's other franchises have easily overshadowed Witness, regardless of which one is better. There are simply too many movies and too much lore for Witness to shine through. This is a shame, as Witness probably still holds up today. Additionally, it showcases a side of Ford that many audiences have likely never seen before.
Harrison Ford did not win the Academy Award for Best Actor for Witness.
Overall, Witness deserves more attention. Whether audiences believe that it is Ford's best movie or not, it is a project that should be watched much more. It is a surprising and dynamic film that stands out in a genre that can often feel formulaic and lifeless. Hopefully, when viewers look back on the career of Harrison Ford, they can stumble upon Witness and discover one of their new favorite movies.
Witness
- Release Date
- February 8, 1985
- Runtime
- 112 Minutes
- Director
- Peter Weir
Cast
Kelly McGillis
WHERE TO WATCH
Witness is a 1985 crime drama directed by Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford as Detective John Book. The film follows Book as he protects a young Amish boy who witnesses a brutal murder in Philadelphia. With performances by Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas, the narrative explores cultural collisions and ethical dilemmas while unfolding a tense, character-driven story.
- Writers
- William Kelley, Pamela Wallace, Earl W. Wallace
- Main Genre
- Thriller
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