Michael Walsh The Province (Vancouver) Apr 14, 2026

In a Weir film, every little thing is given cosmic significance, an effect achieved here by pouring composer Maurice Jarre's rumbling score over scenes as if it were a thick syrup.

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Kathy Fennessy Video Librarian Magazine Nov 13, 2025 4/5

In 2023, the year he announced his retirement, Peter Weir received an Honorary Oscar in recognition of his four nominations for Best Director... Witness was the film where he proved he could infuse Hollywood filmmaking with restraint and romanticism.

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Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Feb 10, 2025 5/5

Harrison Ford delivers one of the best performances in his career in Witness.

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Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Feb 9, 2025 5/5

…Harrison Ford is just terrific in Peter Weir's Witness, a simple, spiritually nourishing story of cops and corruption that takes an unexpected turn into something more profound…the kind of appealing, accessible film that’s long fallen out of fashion…

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John Ferguson Radio Times Mar 7, 2024 5/5

It's Weir's delicacy of touch that impresses the most. He ably juggles the various elements of the story and makes the violence seem even more shocking when it's played out on the fields of Amish denial.

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 19, 2023 3.5/4

An exceptionally fine film.

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Emilie Black Cinema Crazed Nov 2, 2023 4.5/5

Witness is a solid film all around, one that has aged decently well, and one that is still a must see.

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine Oct 31, 2023

Witness takes serious stock of the gap in experience and attitude between its protagonist and his caretakers to see what shared essence can be found between them.

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Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 8, 2020 9/10

The actors are all convincing, given the attention and scripting necessary to craft a strikingly different tale of law enforcement and the consequences of their interactions.

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Ed Potton The Times (UK) Apr 6, 2020 4/5

... striking thriller.

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Nick Roddick Sight & Sound Mar 24, 2020

The film allows us, in the company of Book, to take a sort of holiday from our normal concerns, to visit other values en touriste , drawing the strengths from a strange and alien tradition without really immersing ourselves in it.

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Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Apr 12, 2019 B

A pretty good crime thriller.

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Paul Attanasio Washington Post Jan 4, 2018

What saves "Witness" is its cast, and Weir's artistry in orchestrating and modulating their performances.

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S. Jhoanna Robledo Common Sense Media Jul 2, 2013 4/5

Taut drama has just a few moments of intense violence.

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Jan 14, 2013

Weir, an Australian filming in this country for the first time, has succumbed to blandness.

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Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Jan 14, 2013

A moderately effective, highly affected thriller.

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Variety Staff Variety Jul 6, 2010

Witness warms up as the attraction builds between Ford, McGillis and Haas -- all performing excellently through this portion.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Feb 5, 2009 A-

Harrison Ford renders one of his best dramatic performances, for which he won his sole Oscar nomination, in Peter Weir's beautifully shot feature, which is effective as a cop thriller as well as a chronicle of the rural Amish subculture.

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James Berardinelli ReelViews Jun 10, 2008 3.5/4

Playing John Book allowed viewers the opportunity to see Ford the actor instead of Ford the action/adventure icon. It is one of the few times he has been given the opportunity to play in a straight drama.

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Almar Haflidason BBC.com Dec 4, 2007 4/5

A lot of care and attention has gone into both the Oscar-winning screenplay and the beautiful cinematography, to create a powerful and romantic story.

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