Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Harrison Ford | ... | John Book | |
Kelly McGillis | ... | Rachel | |
Josef Sommer | ... | Schaeffer | |
Lukas Haas | ... | Samuel | |
Jan Rubes | ... | Eli Lapp | |
Alexander Godunov | ... | Daniel Hochleitner | |
Danny Glover | ... | McFee | |
Brent Jennings | ... | Carter | |
Patti LuPone | ... | Elaine | |
Angus MacInnes | ... | Fergie | |
![]() |
Frederick Rolf | ... | Stoltzfus |
Viggo Mortensen | ... | Moses Hochleitner | |
![]() |
John Garson | ... | Bishop Tchantz |
![]() |
Beverly May | ... | Mrs. Yoder |
Ed Crowley | ... | Sheriff |
An 8 year old Amish boy and his mother are traveling to Philadelphia, on their way to visit the mother's sister. While waiting at the train station, the young boy witnesses a brutal murder inside one of the bathroom stalls. Police detective John Book is assigned to investigate the murder of the man, who was a undercover cop. Soon after, Book finds out that he's in great danger when the culprits know about his investigation and hides out in the Amish community. There, he learns the way of living among the Amish locals, which consists of non-violence and agriculture. Book soon starts a romance with the mother of the little boy, but their romance is forbidden by the Amish standards. But, it's not long before the bad guys find out Book's whereabouts. Written by blazesnakes9
An earlier comment on the site suggests that the film is flawed because the Amish boy, coming from a secure, peaceful environment, would not be able to witness a scene of brutality without becoming utterly traumatised.
Far from being a flaw, I believe this is a key statement of the theme of the film - that the close, peaceful and loving upbringing he has enjoyed provide the boy with an emotional strength and resilience that allows him to recognise evil and reject it. Later that same environment will provide the embittered and emotionally scarred with a temporary oasis where he can in part recover from the loveless violence of his own life.
Contrast the failure of community in the vast and soulless terminal building, where the first scene is set, where every one is isolated by the indifference and aggression of their fellow travellers, with the co-operative endeavour of the justly famous barn raising scene, where even the outsider is welcomed and included in an act of joint creation.