Witness (1985), directed by Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas.

Hollywood legend has it that Australian director Peter Weir, having seen his US debut film of The Mosquito Coast fall through, contacted the studio and asked them to send him any scripts they had lying around – and discovered Witness. In fact, the script of Witness had gone through numerous rewrites – and rejections – since being first delivered in 1983. The studio approach him after others had turned it down, and when he became free he agreed to direct. A wise choice, as the film became a ‘sleeper hit’, eventually grossing $116.1 million worldwide, and it gained 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. It won two on the night, for Editing, and ironically for Best Original Screenplay.

While he and his mother Rachel (McGillis) change trains in Philadelphia, eight year old Amish boy Samuel (Haas) uses the men’s room and witnesses the brutal murder of an undercover police officer. Detective John Book (Ford) is assigned to the case, but soon realises that the murderer is a fellow policeman. When he himself is attacked, he decides to go undercover, moving back to Samuel’s Amish community to protect his vital witness while investigating the corruption in the police force.

Plus a support programme, also screening from 35mm film.

A Cinema Museum 35mm Film Classics Presentation.

Doors open at 18.30, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets £8.

Advance tickets may be purchased from Ticketlab, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.