The producers of ``Witness'' provided a turning point in the careers of Harrison Ford and Peter Weir.

H. Ford's transition from star to acting talent

Once things got going, the project attracted the interest of an unexpected person. Robert Redford approached me about playing the lead role. Although Ford had Star Wars and Indiana Jones under his belt, Redford was a far more accomplished star.

But Feldman knew that once Redford got involved, he would ask for changes to the script until he was satisfied. And in many cases, by the time the rewrite is finished, Redford has moved on to other projects, and the search for a lead actor begins all over again. Feldman had no intention of waiting any longer.

Weir, who has been appointed director, is visiting Ford's farm in Wisconsin with Paramount's arrangement. Paramount executives were also betting on Weir's talent, making it clear that, ``Even if things don't work out with Ford, you're still the director, and we'll find another actor to play the lead role.'' (Maybe it was). However, the concerns turned out to be unfounded. Weir and Ford hit it off from the start, and quickly developed a supportive relationship as director and actor.

"Witness" (c) Photofest / Getty Images

Ford and Weir shared the role. Weir researched Amish culture, and Ford spent two weeks working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department's homicide unit to prepare for the role. He was said to have accompanied him on a dangerous raid to obtain an arrest warrant for a murderer. Although Ford is known for playing detectives and investigators in many movies, ``Detective John Book'' was the first time he played a real-life detective.

In the script, there was a huge scene in which the entire Amish village came together to build a barn. Ford made a living as a skilled carpenter during his junior years, and was once involved in the construction of Sergio Mendes' home studio. The carpenter's handiwork is an important clue to the character of the main character, John Book, and was a perfect fit for Ford.

Also, during a romantic scene with Amish widow Rachel, Weir asks him to choose a song to play on the car radio, and he picks Sam Cooke's ``Wonderful World.'' It was a memorable song for Ford himself. John Book became very close to Ford himself.

When Kelly McGillis, who was almost new to the role, was chosen to play Rachel, Ford expressed reservations about her lack of experience. However, Weir was adamant, ``If you don't trust me, you shouldn't do this movie,'' and Ford followed suit. Weir was fearless in his first Hollywood film, and Ford trusted and respected him as well.

Visual beauty influenced by Vermeer's masterpiece