Summary
Over the course of his career,Harrison Fordhas starred in a number of iconic franchises, yet the movie that is his best is an unexpected thriller from 1985. Since jumpstarting his career in 1964,Harrison Ford has been the face of many massive blockbuster franchises, fromFord’sStar WarsandIndiana JonestoBlade RunnerandJack Ryan.Yet, even with all these sequels, Ford still had time to star in other, smaller movies. As it turns out, these underrated and forgotten Harrison Ford films may just include his greatest performances of all time.
While audiences may have their own opinions on whatHarrison Ford’s best movieis, a strong indicator of what films really stand out is accolades. Over the years, Ford has accumulated several award nominations from countless associations. Ford has been honored with nominations by the Critics' Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, the MTV Awards, and the Peoples' Choice Awards. However, one notable fact is thatHarrison Ford has only ever received one Academy Award nomination, and it is for a movie that most would not expect.
Is Harrison Ford In Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Movie?
Harrison Ford has been revealed as Red Hulk in the Captain America: Brave New World trailer, but will this lead to him appearing in Thunderbolts*?
Witness Is Harrison Ford’s Best Movie Performance
What Makes Witness So Good
What could be Harrison Ford’s best movie is the 1985 thriller,Witness.The movie stars Ford as John Book, a police officer who takes in a young Amish boy and his mother, Rachel, after they witness a brutal murder. However, when Book realizes that the crime may be connected to his own police department, he secretly joins the pair’s Amish community. As Book works to solve the crime, a forbidden romance develops between him and Rachel. TheHarrison Ford action movieearned an impressive $112 million at the box office. Furthermore, it has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As John Book, Ford is emotional, sympathetic, and captivating.
Despite being a lesser-known Harrison Ford movie,Witnessdefinitely has all the makings of a great film. It has a unique premise that manages to feel fresh while also hitting all the right beats for an engaging thriller. Critics praised the film for being tense and exciting, but more importantly, for raising questions about the choices individuals make and how that affects their lives. Most importantly though,Witnessis Ford’s best movie because the actor gives his greatest performance. As John Book, Ford is emotional, sympathetic, and captivating.Witnessflawlessly combines an enticing thriller with a meaningful love story.
Witness Performed Well On Release, But Is Outshone By Other Ford Roles
Witness Deserves More Attention
The sad truth aboutWitnessis that, despite its 1985 success,it is a film that has been buried underneath Harrison Ford’s other accomplishments.Star Wars, Indiana Jones,andFord’s other franchiseshave easily overshadowedWitness,regardless of which one is better. There are simply too many movies and too much lore forWitnessto shine through. This is a shame, asWitnessprobably still holds up today. Additionally, it showcases a side of Ford that many audiences have likely never seen before.
Harrison Ford did not win the Academy Award for Best Actor forWitness.
Overall,Witnessdeserves more attention. Whether audiences believe that it is Ford’s best movie or not, it is a project that should be watched much more. It is a surprising and dynamic film that stands out in a genre that can often feel formulaic and lifeless. Hopefully, when viewers look back on the career ofHarrison Ford, they can stumble uponWitnessand discover one of their new favorite movies.
Witness
Cast
Witness is a 1985 crime drama directed by Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford as Detective John Book. The film follows Book as he protects a young Amish boy who witnesses a brutal murder in Philadelphia. With performances by Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas, the narrative explores cultural collisions and ethical dilemmas while unfolding a tense, character-driven story.
