POST 10: WITNESS AS A THRILLER

DEFINITION: These are types of films known to promote intense excitement,suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation,uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations, with similar characteristics and features. 

Primary elements of  the Thriller as a genre	Witness as a thriller Illustration in the film
1.Central protagonist(s) The central protagonist(s) faces death, their own or someone else's.	In the movie Witness the main characters face death indeed. The first one who could've lost his life was Samuel when he witnessed the murder. As McFee gets closer to the bathroom stall where the young boy is hiding, the spectator is convinced that Samuel will die. But the latter manages a narrow escape. The other one who could've died was John during the shoot out in the parking lot with McFee. John will survive but will be heavily wounded since he gets shot in the ribs. The last one to have faced death is Rachel when Schaeffer points a gun at her and is threatning John that he'll shoot her. Eventually, the dirty cop gives up his weapons and Rachel ends up safe and sound.
2.Force(s) of antagonism The force/s of antagonism must initially be clever and/or stronger than the protagonist.	The forces of antagonism in the movie are Schaeffer, McFee and Fergie. The three of them are cops. Brought together they are much stronger than the whole Amish community. Especially Schaeffer who used to be John's both boss and mentor. He was willing to kill one of his collegues (Carter) to get more information about John's hiding spot.
3.Main storyline The main storyline for the protagonist is either a quest or the character who cannot be put down.	In the movie that we've been studying, the main storyline for the protagonist is a quest. John is indeed looking for the people who murdered one of his partners. Once he knows who they are he is also seeking for revenge for his friend and partner Carter who will be killed by one of them.
4.Main plotline The main plot line focuses on a mystery that must be solved.	Witness is the story of a kid who witnesses a murder and his testimony will help John Book find the culprits. So there is a mystery at first when nobody knows who is involved in the crime.
5.Narrative construction The film's narrative construction is dominated by the protagonist's point of view.	The film's narrative construction is dominated by three different points of views. Two of them are stronger than one. Rachel's point of view isn't as present as John's and Samuel's. We follow the movie through Samuel and John's perspective as they play the two major parts in the film.
6.Action and characters All action and characters must be credibly realistic/natural in their representation on screen.	The films portrays the Amish way of life as it is in reality. There were no parodies or exagerations as far as Amish are concerned. The actors and movie staff respected the way the Amish people dresses, talks, lives and most of all their strong ideology of non-violence. The movie directors have been able to reproduce the Amish lifestyle and represent one of their main activities that is barn-raising.
7.Major themes The two major themes that underpin the Thriller are the desire for justice and the morality of individuals.	In the movie, John wants justice for both of his partners. The one who was murdered by McFee , in the beginning, and then Carter who's been murdered by Schaeffer. And John won't stop until they both of his late partners get justice. Also this desire for justice brings out one of John's main qualities that is his morality. He wants to bring the dirty cops to justice when he finds out that they have been involved in drug trafficking. Since that activity goes against everything he and the police stand for, he is also defending his job when he goes after the culprits.
8.Small but significant aspect One small but significant aspect of a great thriller is the presence of innocence in what is seen as an essentially corrupt world.	The character of Samuel is the definition of innocence. Among that danger, violence, the impact between the American culture and the Amish one, Samuel is the only element that “brights up” the story. The fact that he's here reassures the spectator and makes him believe that after all, there can be hope.

WITNESS - A DOCUMENTARY ON THE AMISH WAY OF LIFE

WITNESS as a Documentary on the Amish way of life

(Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, PA)

How far can Witness be described as a documentary on the Amish way of life?

Go to the following Web site, scroll down to the bottom of the page then fill in the table below with information gleaned from this Web site (left column) and illustration taken from the film (right column): http://www.welcome-to-lancaster-county.com/amish-people.html

The Amish way of life		Witness as a documentary: Illustration in the film
ORDNUNG: BASIC PRINCIPLES The Ordnung regulates private, public, and ceremonial behavior.  Men and women are expected to wear distinctive clothing.  Members must speak speak a German or Swiss dialect.  Owning an automobile is forbidden. Instead, members members are required to travel by horse and buggy.  It is forbidden own a television, radio, camera, or computer.  Higher education such as high school and college is generally not allowed. Divorce is forbidden. Joining the military is  forbidden. It is taboo to wear jewelry or any other ornament or garment that emphasizes vanity. Community members are are not allowed to sue anyone to sue anyone. Members must use use self-propelled farm machinery. It is ftorbidden to tap electricity from public utility lines.		- Eli, is very conservative and encourages Rachel to respect the laws of the Ordnung to avoid getting shunned. - Throughout the whole movie we see the distinction between men and women's clothings. Women have to wear a long black dress and cover their head with a bonnet while men must wear black pants, a white (or dark blue) shirt and a top hat. - During the opening scene, for Rachel's husband's funeral the Amish do the funeral rite is in German or at least a German dialect. - In the opening scene we see the Amish going to the ceremony with their horse drawn buggies. - The only ones using a camera in the movie are the tourists who harass the Amish with their devices. Furthermore, John has to go to town to use the payphone when ever he needs to make a call. - We never see Samuel going to school or getting any kind of education. - We can suppose that Rachel wasn't the happiest she could be with her late husband but getting a divorce. - The Amish have a zero tolerance policy towards guns and violence so there is no way for them to join the army. -Rachel has no pieces of jewelry so she can't wear any. -During the scenes where young troublemakers come to annoy the Amish they could be sued for harassment but it goes against the community's principles plus, Eli didn't want John to intervene at first. - During the first bit of the movie, at sundown we see the Amish harvesting what seems to be wheat with garden forks and collecting it in a wain. - During the movie we see that the Amish only use candles to see at night.
SHUNNING Based upon religious scriptures, the Amish believe that members who openly sin again traditional church doctrines must be purged from the church as a warning and safeguard to maintain the purity of the church. Members who are excommunicated and shunned are avoided by active members in all social and business activities. However, the offenders are always welcomed back to the community if they repent.		During Rachel and Eli's confrontation, Eli warns his daughter-in-law that she could be shunned because of the way she acts with John.
AMISH HISTORY Mennonite and Amish history is generally thought to begin on January 21, 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland. Who was Jacob Amman? What did he do? When? Where? In 1693, a young Mennonite leader, from the Alsace region of modern-day France, named Jacob Amman formed his own Christian fellowship because he felt that the Mennonite Church did not exercise enough church discipline or maintain a strong enough spiritual life. Jacob Amman's followers began to be nicknamed - you guessed it - the Amish. When did the Amish first migrate to the USA? It is believed that the first group of Mennonites settled in 1683 in Germantown which, today, is a part of Philadelphia. When land became available in the area which is now known as Lancaster County, Mennonite settlements were started and flourished. The first migrations of the Amish began in the 1720's. AMISH BARN-RAISING An Amish barn raising is an important example of the selfless practice of assisting one's relatives, neighbors and community through life's many hardships that characterizes the Amish people of Lancaster County. It is such close-knit devotion and loyalty that has protected the community over the generations. In fact, the Amish barn raising experience becomes a social occasion bonding the families and neighbors in mutual assistance. Tragedy is turned into hope, and joyful playing can be seen among the children. In the movie there is a long scene where the Amish, along with John work togetjer for a barn-raising for a newly married couple. This scene also features the Amish sharing a great meal, drinking lemeonade and talking.		Ø In the movie there is a long scene where the Amish, along with John work together for a barn-raising for a newly married couple. This scene also features the Amish sharing a great meal, drinking lemeonade and talking.
AMISH RELIGION & BELIEFS Amish religion is based upon the basic tenets of early Christianity and a desire to be faithful to God They believe that  the Bible is the Word of God and that the Church is the body of Christ fulfilling God's purposes on earth. Amish beliefs also emphasize the importance of humility, obedience, and simplicity. They believe that true Christians should never use violence or force. The Amish will follow the Word of God even if it conflicts with the rule of the government. They believe that true Christians should never use violence or force		Rachel asks her son to say his prayers when they are staying at Elaine's house. The Amish are very simple starting with the way they dress and the lifestyle they have : no electricity, no obedience to a force that isn't God... In the movie Witness, Amish people are shown through their simplicity and their untolerance towards guns and violence. We can clearly see that they are all outraged when they known that John has a gun especially Eli and Rachel who were scared to death when Samuel was playing with John's gun even if the bullets were taken out.
AMISH HOMES Although modest and simple the typical Amish house reflects the importance of the family, daily work, and humility. Amish homes are usually large with two stories since many Amish families consist of six or seven children. The homes tend to be plain and are usually painted white, green, blue or brown which are the colors of nature.		We don't see the houses in detail but in the first scene, we see the Amish village in almost its entirety and the houses are white and simple.
AMISH CHURCH SERVICES In Lancaster County, there is a tradition that there is a tradition that Amish church services are held in the homes of the congregation This Amish tradition expresses the_simplicity, purity, and community that is so essential to the Amish faith and way of life The Amish women are required to prepare the communal meal which is served at noon in the home of the member hosting the service.		After the funeral, women are reunited in the kitchen and they are cooking the meal.
AMISH WOMEN Amish women are expected to place the needs of their family, church, and community above their own They are responsible for  managing the household, preparing the food, sewing and ironing the family clothes, and assisting the needs of their neighbors.		'We can see that Rachel's main concern is to protect her son so she puts his safety before her own. She is also always shown cooking or cleaning the house or helping the members of the comunity.
AMISH CHILDREN Amish children are disciplined  to be respectful and obedient to their elders. To prevent their children from  becoming spoiled , the parents teach their children to "surrender" their selfish will as opposed to always trying to get  trying to get their own way.		At first Samuel was a very shy kid. He listens to his elders and his mother. But the murder changed him. He is still quite shy and polite  but more outgoing and tolerant as far as violence is concerned.
AMISH CLOTHING Old Order Amish men and boys generally wear wear dark suits without lapels which fasten with hooks rather than buttons Quote 6 items of clothing that women and girls wear: 1.dresses with full skirts 2.aprons 3.black shoes  4.twisted bun at the back of the heard or the nape of the neck. 5.white or black cap 6black bonnet and shawl What do they never wear? 1._ Jewelry 2.Makeup.______________________	We never see Rachel or any other Amish women with jewels or make-up. They keep it very simple since it's the main Amish rule.