Editing Witness (1985 film) (section)

===Casting===
[[File:Kelly McGillis on the set of Witness (1984).jpg|thumb|upright|McGillis on the set of ''Witness'' in 1984]]
[[Lynne Littman]] had originally been in talks to direct the film, and though she ultimately did not, she recommended Lukas Haas for the part of Samuel, because she had recently worked with him on her film ''[[Testament (1983 film)|Testament]]''. The role of Rachel was the most difficult to cast, and after Weir grew frustrated with the auditions he had seen, he asked the casting director to look for actors in Italy, because he thought they would be more "womanly".  As they were reviewing audition tapes from Italy, Kelly McGillis came to audition, and the moment she put on the bonnet and spoke a few lines, Weir knew she was the one. The casting director recommended her old friend Alexander Godunov, who had never acted before, but she thought his personality would be right, and Weir agreed.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Viggo Mortensen was cast because Weir thought he had the right face for the part of an Amish man. Mortensen had just started his acting career, so this was his first film acting role, and he had to turn down another role as a soldier in [[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park's]] production of'' [[Henry V (play)|Henry V]]''. He credited that decision and the very positive experience on the film as the start of his film career.<ref name="dvdextra">{{cite AV media |people=Keith Clark and Jon Mefford |date=2005 |title=Witness |chapter=Between Two Worlds: The Making of ''Witness'' |medium=DVD |publisher=Paramount Pictures |oclc=949729643 }}</ref>