1985
After witnessing a murder, young Amish boy Samuel Lapp and his mother Rachel are protected by Detective John Book, who discovers the killer is a corrupt police officer and his superior. Book is shot and flees with Samuel and Rachel to their Amish farm, where he recovers and adapts to their peaceful life, developing a forbidden romance with Rachel amidst community tension. Learning of his partner's death and confirming the corruption, Book violently defends an Amish man, further highlighting the clash between his world and their way of life. When the corrupt officers arrive at the farm, Book outwits them, leading to their arrest, and after a heartfelt goodbye, he leaves the Amish community, forever changed.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A tough city cop, John Book, witnesses a murder and must protect an Amish boy and his mother by entering their insular world.
Open full beat sheetJohn Book is listed as Police Captain. Rangy, athletic, 40-year-old police captain from Philadelphia. In the parsed data, John Book is connected to 52 scenes, 98 dialogue lines, 106 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
52 scenes / 98 dialogue linesRachel Lapp is listed as Amish widow. 27-year-old Amish woman, robust, sensual, intelligent. In the parsed data, Rachel Lapp is connected to 38 scenes, 61 dialogue lines, 62 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
38 scenes / 61 dialogue linesSamuel Lapp is listed as Amish boy. 8-year-old son of Rachel and Jacob Lapp. In the parsed data, Samuel Lapp is connected to 29 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
29 scenes / 10 dialogue linesEli Lapp is listed as Amish patriarch. Rachel's father-in-law, stubborn but not unkind. In the parsed data, Eli Lapp is connected to 17 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
17 scenes / 27 dialogue linesPaul Schaeffer is listed as Deputy Chief. 50-year-old police official, corrupt. In the parsed data, Paul Schaeffer is connected to 15 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
15 scenes / 17 dialogue linesMcElroy is listed as Division Chief. Corrupt police officer, murderer. In the parsed data, McElroy is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDaniel Hochstetler is listed as Amish suitor. Brawny, ruggedly-handsome Amishman. In the parsed data, Daniel Hochstetler is connected to 8 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
8 scenes / 13 dialogue linesElton Carter is listed as Police officer. Book's partner. In the parsed data, Elton Carter is connected to 6 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
6 scenes / 13 dialogue linesElaine is listed as Book's sister. Attractive woman in her early thirties. In the parsed data, Elaine is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesStoltzfus is listed as Amish healer. Local Amish healer and deacon. In the parsed data, Stoltzfus is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesThe funeral service for Jacob Lapp is held with the Amish community in attendance.
Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Eli LappPost-funeral meal where Daniel Hochstetler interacts with the community and Rachel.
Rachel Lapp, Daniel Hochstetler, StoltzfusSamuel witnesses a murder in the train station restroom.
Samuel Lapp, Paul Schaeffer, McElroy, Elton CarterJohn Book investigates the crime scene and questions Samuel.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Elton CarterBook and Carter confront a suspect at a bar, then force Samuel to identify him, causing distress to Rachel.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Elton CarterBook attempts to check Rachel and Samuel into a hotel, but they refuse.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel LappBook takes Rachel and Samuel to his sister Elaine's house.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, ElaineRachel and Samuel settle into the guest room.
Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, ElaineRachel cleans the house, leading to a confrontation with Elaine.
Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, ElaineBook tries to get Samuel to identify a suspect in a lineup.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel LappSamuel identifies McElroy in a photograph.
John Book, Samuel Lapp, McElroyBook tells Schaeffer that McElroy is the killer.
John Book, Paul SchaefferMcElroy ambushes and shoots Book.
John Book, McElroyElaine wakes Rachel to tell her John Book says they must leave immediately.
Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, ElaineElaine receives instructions from Book via voice-over while he is in the bathroom.
John Book, ElaineBook treats his own gunshot wound.
John BookBook drives Rachel and Samuel back to the farm while being pursued by police.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel LappCarter finds evidence of Rachel's name on Book's calendar.
Paul Schaeffer, Elton CarterBook arrives in Lancaster County.
John Book, Rachel LappBook drops off Rachel and Samuel, then crashes his car.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Eli LappRachel tends to the wounded Book.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli LappStoltzfus examines Book's wound.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli Lapp, StoltzfusRachel tends to Book while he is delirious.
John Book, Rachel LappSchaeffer tries to get information from the local sheriff.
Paul Schaeffer, McElroyAmish elders visit the recovering Book.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, StoltzfusSchaeffer intimidates Elaine.
Paul Schaeffer, McElroy, ElaineBook shows Samuel his gun.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel LappEli lectures Samuel on the morality of violence.
Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Eli LappRachel brings Book clothes.
John Book, Rachel LappBook and Rachel discuss his recovery, his clothes, and the local customs while Book prepares to leave for a phone.
John Book, Rachel LappEli waits in the buggy for Book.
Eli Lapp, Samuel LappBook prepares to leave, Rachel gives him his gun and bullets.
John Book, Rachel LappEli, Book, and Samuel travel to school.
John Book, Samuel Lapp, Eli LappSamuel is dropped off at school.
Samuel LappBook calls his partner Carter from a public phone.
John Book, Elton CarterBook works on his car battery; Eli confronts him about work.
John Book, Eli LappEli wakes Book up for milking.
John Book, Eli LappBook learns to milk a cow.
John Book, Eli Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Rachel LappBook observes the dawn.
John BookBook helps with the mule Luke.
John Book, Eli Lapp, Samuel LappBook meets Daniel Hochstetler.
John Book, Daniel HochstetlerBook and Rachel discuss his skills.
John Book, Rachel LappDinner at the Lapp farm.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli Lapp, Samuel LappBook and Rachel dance to music in the barn; Eli interrupts.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli LappSchaeffer interrogates Carter about Book's location.
Paul Schaeffer, Elton CarterBook wins over the mule Luke.
John Book, Rachel LappThe barn-raising event.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Daniel HochstetlerBook and Hochstetler work together on the barn roof, with Hochstetler using his strength to hold the structure together.
John Book, Daniel HochstetlerThe barn is finished; Book struggles with exhaustion but is supported by Hochstetler.
John Book, Daniel HochstetlerBishop Tschantz blesses the new barn while the congregation listens.
John Book, Rachel LappBook sits on the porch; Samuel approaches him for a hug.
John Book, Samuel LappRachel prepares for a bath and sees Book's reflection; they share a moment of connection.
John Book, Rachel LappBook and Rachel discuss the previous night.
John Book, Rachel LappBook and Rachel travel by buggy and engage in a race with Hochstetler.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Samuel Lapp, Daniel HochstetlerBook calls the police station and learns of Carter's death, then confronts Schaeffer.
John Book, Paul SchaefferBook violently defends Hochstetler against rowdy youths.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Daniel HochstetlerBook and Rachel have a final, emotional confrontation about their future.
John Book, Rachel LappBook and Rachel make love.
John Book, Rachel LappSchaeffer and his men plan their attack on the Lapp farm.
Paul Schaeffer, McElroySchaeffer and his men arrive at the farm to hunt Book.
Rachel Lapp, Eli Lapp, Paul Schaeffer, McElroyBook prepares to defend himself and sends Samuel to safety.
John Book, Samuel LappBook traps Fergie in the barn using the mule Luke, resulting in Fergie's death.
John Book, McElroyMcElroy and Schaeffer react to the sound of gunfire.
Paul Schaeffer, McElroySamuel hears the shots and runs toward the barn.
Samuel LappSchaeffer prevents Rachel from leaving the house.
Rachel Lapp, Paul SchaefferMcElroy discovers Fergie's body.
McElroySamuel rings the barn bell to signal for help.
Samuel Lapp, Paul SchaefferBook traps McElroy in the silo.
John Book, McElroySchaeffer holds Book at gunpoint until the Amish arrive.
John Book, Paul Schaeffer, Samuel Lapp, StoltzfusBook disarms Schaeffer in front of the Amish community.
John Book, Eli Lapp, Paul Schaeffer, Daniel HochstetlerBook says goodbye to Samuel.
John Book, Samuel LappBook leaves the farm.
John Book, Rachel Lapp, Eli LappEh? Nothing? Rachel, you bring this man to our house. With his gun of the hand. You bring fear to this house. Fear of English with guns coming after. You bring blood and whispers of more blood. Now English music... and you are dancing to English music! And you call this nothing?
Listen, Johnny, don't do anything stupid. You couldn't get within a mile of Schaeffer right now. So stay put... Stay in touch I'll let you know when maybe it makes sense.
There is always a way! But you are such a... a Glotzkopp you cannot see! You'd rather go back to that city! To nothing! No woman! No children! No land!
It's funny. I know he's hiding somewhere with the Amish, I know it. Can you imagine John Book at a prayer meeting? Our John Book?
Sure, I'm sorry. Hope you don't mind me plugging in to your battery. Mine's dead... How can I help? What can I do?
Eli is a fine carpenter. Best in the district. He and his father built the big house themselves forty years ago.
No offense, lady, but I'm not so sure I like the idea of your coming in here and turning the place upside down!
Listen to me, Sam! I want you to go across the new corn to Stoltzfus'. Run as fast as you can. And stay there!
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