Harrison Ford’s Thriller ‘Witness’ Kickstarted ‘Lord of the Rings’ Star Viggo Mortensen’s Career
In Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Viggo Mortensen became a household name with his powerful portrayal of Aragorn, the lost king of Gondor. This role cemented his status as a superstar, but his journey to stardom began with the 1985 film ‘Witness’. This thriller marked Mortensen’s debut in a feature film, inspiring his shift from stage and television to cinema. Without ‘Witness’, it’s possible that Mortensen might never have starred in ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
‘Witness’ wasn’t Mortensen’s first acting role; he had a small part in the 1984 TV miniseries ‘George Washington’ and a cut scene in Woody Allen’s ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’. However, ‘Witness’ was the first film in which Mortensen appeared in the final cut, playing Moses Hochleitner, an Amish man in the community where Harrison Ford’s character, Detective John Book, hides out. Though his role was minor, Mortensen has credited the experience with motivating him to pursue film roles more seriously.
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Despite this pivotal moment in his career, Mortensen’s transition to film roles took time. After ‘Witness’, he appeared in several TV shows before landing a starring role in the 1987 comedy ‘Salvation!’ From that point on, Mortensen primarily focused on films, taking on both supporting and major roles in movies such as ‘Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3’, ‘The Prophecy’, and ‘G.I. Jane’. Yet, it was his role as Aragorn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ that truly propelled him to international fame.
‘Witness’, a critically acclaimed film, was a turning point for both Mortensen and Harrison Ford. It marked Ford’s move beyond his iconic roles in ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, showcasing his ability to carry a serious drama.
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The film, celebrated for its unique portrayal of Amish culture and its blend of romance and thriller elements, remains notable for its storytelling and for being Ford’s only Academy Award-nominated performance. For Viggo Mortensen, *Witness* was the beginning of a remarkable career, leading to the stardom he enjoys today.
–Farheen Ali
