Witness

Label: Varese Saraband
Release Year: 1990
Barcode: 4005939472276
Country: Europe
Product Type: CD (Pre-owned)
Score or Soundtrack: Score
Composer: Maurice Jarre

Witness (1985) is a crime thriller directed by Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford as John Book, a hardened Philadelphia detective who goes into hiding in an Amish community to protect a young boy who witnessed a murder. The film masterfully contrasts urban violence with the peaceful simplicity of Amish life, creating a compelling drama filled with tension, romance, and cultural conflict. Ford delivers a nuanced performance, supported by Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas, while Weir’s direction brings an atmospheric depth to the story, making it both an engaging thriller and a poignant character study.

The soundtrack, composed by Maurice Jarre, is a unique blend of electronic and orchestral elements, setting it apart from traditional scores of the era. Utilizing synthesizers alongside classical instrumentation, the music enhances the film’s emotional weight and sense of isolation, particularly in the hauntingly beautiful "Building the Barn" sequence. Jarre’s score perfectly complements the film’s contrasting worlds, reinforcing the tension and serenity that define Witness, and remains one of his most distinctive works.

Track Listing

Witness (Main Title) / Journey To Baltimore
Maurice Jarre

The Murder
Maurice Jarre

Samuel's Discovery / Book's Disappearance
Maurice Jarre

Futility Of An Inside Job / Delirious John
Maurice Jarre

Building The Barn
Maurice Jarre

Book's Sorrow
Maurice Jarre

Rachel And Book (Love Theme) / Beginning Of The End
Maurice Jarre

The Amish Are Coming / Witness (End Title)
Maurice Jarre

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