‘WITNESS’ PRAISED IN AMISH COUNTRY

When it was being filmed in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, “Witness” came under some fire. But reviews were generally good when the movie made its world premiere here Thursday with a touch of Hollywood glamour.

Actors Kelly McGillis and Alexander Godunov joined Gov. Dick Thornburgh and other political and civic leaders at the black-tie premiere at the Fulton Opera House. A searchlight swept the sky and spotlights illuminated the faces of the guests.

“Witness,” which stars McGillis and Harrison Ford, was shot partly in Lancaster County.

Ford plays a Philadelphia detective investigating the murder of a fellow detective. The only witness to the murder is a young Amish boy, and Ford becomes romantically involved with the boy’s widowed mother, played by McGillis.

The movie came under attack last year from representatives of the Amish who said the film exploited the strict religious sect, which avoids publicity and shuns modern conveniences.

But nearly everyone who saw the movie Thursday and attended a reception afterward said they thought it portrayed the Amish with compassion.

“I have seen the reviews from every responsible source, including this morning in the Wall Street Journal, and the critical acclaim has been well nigh unanimous, the observation particularly being made that it’s a tastefully-done movie,” said Thornburgh.

“I think it’s a good movie,” said Godunov, who is best known as a ballet dancer. “It looked good to me. And judging from the reaction at the film, the Lancaster audience enjoyed it as well. I’m very pleased.”

McGillis said she feels that when people see the film, they will realize that the Amish were treated “very, very well.”

“I don’t feel the Amish in this film are being portrayed in an exploitational way at all,” she said.

District Attorney Henry S. Kenderdine said he especially admired the cinematography and the portrayal of the Amish in the film.

“To the extent that an entertaining medium can do it, it conveys the peaceful nature and life style of the Amish,” he said. “I hope the people across the country will begin to understand more of the values of the Amish.”

Ford was not present, but sent a telegram reading, “I wish I could be with you here tonight. I enjoyed my stay in Lancaster enormously, and I hope to make another movie there someday.”