Witness. Maurice Jarre

Samuel Lap (Lukas Haas), an 8 year old Amish boy and his mother Rachel (Kelly Mc Gillis) 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 (Harrison Ford) is assigned to investigate the murder of the man, who was an 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 Rachel, but their romance is forbidden by the Amish standards.

The score’s most famous piece, “Building the Barn,” is a rousing and celebratory track underscoring a key scene in the film, where Book is invited to take part in a traditional Amish barn-raising, as a sign of the community’s growing respect for him. The piece takes the main theme and runs it through several different variations, culminating in a superb, stirring finale. Interestingly, Jarre re-recorded this piece with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In this re-recording, the cue really comes alive, and you can hear a tantalizing glimpse of what the score could have been: lively, energetic strings with a romantic, idyllic edge; stirring brasses which speak of strength and honor; lyrical, warm woodwinds; a touch of Mozart in the chord progressions.