History Trivia / Witness

** Creator/IsabellaRossellini was offered the role of Rachel, but had to turned it down because of a scheduling conflict.

** Creator/IsabellaRossellini was offered the role of Rachel, but had to turned it down because of scheduling conflict.

* PlayingAgainstType: Creator/DannyGlover is best known for playing likeable and sympathetic characters. Here he plays a corrupt and murderous police officer.

* CastingAgainstType: Creator/DannyGlover is best known for playing likeable and sympathetic characters. Here he plays a corrupt and murderous police officer.

** Also, the film broke Harrison Ford out of the Sci-Fi/action gettio he was made famous for.

** Kelly [=McGillis=] lived in an Amish community for a few months to understand her character, which involved her giving up smoking the whole time. She was also kicked by a cow.

** Creator/SylvesterStallone was an early choice for John Book. When he turned down the role, he said it was one of the worst decisions of his career. Creator/JackNicholson was also offered the role. While he liked the script, there wasn't a director he liked attached at that point. Creator/BurtReynolds revealed in his autobiography that he wanted the lead role and considered calling Creator/PeterWeir to lobby for it, but had second thoughts and backed off. Creator/KevinCostner, Creator/ClintEastwoo, Creator/RichardGere and Creator/MelGibson were also considered.

** Creator/SylvesterStallone was an early choice for John Book. When he turned down the role, he said it was one of the worst decisions of his career. Creator/JackNicholson was also offered the role. While he liked the script, there wasn't a director he liked attached at that point. Creator/PeterWeir regular Creator/MelGibson was also considered.