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Description: The Salem witch trials of 1692 are brought vividly to life in this compelling adaptation of Arthur Miller's play, directed by Nicholas Hytner ("The Madness of King George"). A group of teenage girls meet in the woods at midnight for a secret love-conjuring ceremony. While the other girls attempt to cast love spells, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) wishes for the death of her former lover's (Daniel Day-Lewis) wife. When their ceremony is witnessed by the town minister, the girls suddenly find themselves accused of witchcraft. Soon the entire village is consumed by cries of witchcraft, and as the hysteria grows, blameless victims are torn from their homes, leading to a devastating climax. Amazon.com: The Salem witch hunts are given a new and nasty perspective when a vengeful teenage girl uses superstition and repression to her advantage, creating a killing machine that becomes a force unto itself. Pulsating with seductive energy, this provocative drama is as visually arresting as it is intellectually engrossing. Arthur Miller based his classic 1953 play on the actual Salem witch trials of 1692, creating what has since become a durable fixture of school drama courses. It may look like a historical drama, but Miller also meant the work as a parable for the misery created by the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings of the 1950s. This searing version of his drama delves into matters of conscience with concise accuracy and emotional honesty. Three passionate cheers for Miller, director Nicholas Hytner, and costars Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder. --Rochelle O'Gorman Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-18
Crucible Passes the Test
A cautionary tale showing the dangers of misguided societal pressure, and the importance of leaders that should lead society, instead of following it. This movie dramatically brings to life the play we all had to read in school. Well directed with many of the best actors giving outstanding performances. A must see film. Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-05
The Crucible: A Classic
I have read The Crucible, seen it preformed on stage, and I still love the screen version best of all. I will admit that part of this may be from my own bias that Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the best actors I've ever seen. His performance doesn't disappoint in The Crucible either. As John Proctor he adds a realism and deep sympathy to a character, who on paper, I found rather contrived at times. The best lines of the move (the 'because it is my name' speech in particular) are Proctors and Day-Lewis performs them flawlessly. I've seen this movie a dozen times and I still get choked up.
Ryder is equally brilliant, delivering her lines with a good sense of the emotion behind them. She plays the conniving harlot quite well. The scenes in which Abigail attempts to further seduce John are very good and Day-Lewis and Ryder work very well together. The actress who plays John's wife does a stellar job with a less-is-more style of acting. She is very stoic, but this doesn't at all bely the emotion of her character. The actress who plays Mary Warren also does an excellent job. In fact, the only actors I didn't like were Putnam adults, who I thought frequently overacted.
To anyone who finds this movie boring, I'm afraid it's more of a reflection on them than on the movie. I'll be honest: There are no car chases, nothing is funny, there is no slapstick, guns, or dancing. There about ten seconds of nudity in the first ten minutes, but no sex. This is a character driven narrative with beautifully desolate settings, amazing actors and incredible lines (most of which are in middle English, but way easier than Shakespearian English). This is a double sided semi-historical film referencing both the Salem witch trials (which really happened) and the Mcarthy trials (which also really happened) and drawing allusions between the two of them. If that's above your head, I wouldn't brag about it, you're not actually entitled to be ignorant.
The only reason I gave this less than five stars has nothing to do with the movie. It is NOT supposed be historically accurate, I am aware of this, however, many people aren't. Because of this, people think John Proctor was a focal point of the actual trials (he wasn't at all) and that Abigail was a young woman (she was twelve), and that the Putnams only had one child (they had many) etc. This isn't meant to be a historical lesson, and shouldn't be taken as such. If this, however, whets your interest here are some suggested materials: The movie Three Sovereigns for Sarah (also fictionalized but more accurate). Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft, "Spellbound: Woman and Witchcraft in America (Worlds of Women), and a PBS video called "Secrets of the Dead - Witches Curse. You could also just check out the History Channel. Rating:
Date: 2008-04-22
NOT SINCE I HAD A ROOT CANAL. . .
Not since I had to have a root canal a few years ago have I been filled with such a sense of DREAD while watching this very fine film! Though it is fictionalized - it is based on the famous Salem Witch Trials - The acting, costumes, and settings transport you back in time, (and believe me - no one in their right mind would want to stay there.) You know what is going to happen because of history, but the sense of impending doom because it was TRUE for those poor brave Americans- is palpable! People always amuse me when they refer to the "Good Ole' Days" . . . MEN with TOO MUCH POWER, some - NOT ALL of the actual victims were people of lesser means (i.e. poor people) and it all plays out! Still, great acting by a stellar cast! Certainly, a very dark and sad blemish on American history! Daniel Day-Lewis, as always was excellent, as were Ryder, Scofield, Davison, and the rest of the immensely talented cast . I highly recommend this one - some people may not like or understand the manner of speaking (which is authentic) But for me it is a must see! Rating:
Date: 2008-04-08
Great film version of a classic!
This video version is a great choice simply because Miller (the playwrite)wrote this screenplay. I show it to my high school students after reading the play so that they can see the similarities AND differences between the text and the "movie." Rating:
Date: 2008-02-14
"Because it's my name and I cannot have another . . ."
If you can watch this film and not go through every emotion you own, then you need to check yourself for a pulse.
Of course, I'm being a bit silly with my opening to this review, but the reality is that this is a film that will touch you on every imaginable level if you can get past the era in which the story takes place and the hysteria of that time period. Rehashing the plot is a waste at this point as almost every student in America has read this play in their 11th grade English class, but this story is as relevant today as the day it was written and the time in which the story takes place.
Arthur Miller wrote this story as an indictment against McCarthism and although that time has past we still have similar witch hunts today and, sadly, always will. 1970's had us pointing fingers, thanks to Anita Bryant, anyone we thought might be a closet homosexual. The 1980's had us pointing fingers at anyone who had more wealth than we did (much like in "The Crucible"). The 1990's had us pointing fingers at family members based on so-called "recovered memories" of sexual abuse (later proven to psychological hogwash, but a clever way to get back at and smear the name of a family member we didn't like). And this century has us pointing fingers at anyone Middle Eastern as a terrorist. I recall immediately after 9/11 our leading law enforcement official, John Ashcroft, going on national television and warning us to be on the look out for "those that don't belong." To me, that was government sanctioned racism at its worst. I was hurt by 9/11, but I was hurt even more by that reaction to it. This cuts to the heart of Miller's story wherein anyone can point a finger at anyone and destroy a life, a family, a community for personal gain and that gain can be financial, emotional, political, or whatever. As long as we have people that are motivated by hate, fear, and power, this story will remain timeless and will never be irrelevant.
As far as the performances go, I can't think of finer acting off the top of my head than those in this film and most especially by Daniel Day-Lewis whose final lines will stir your very soul and Joan Allen who can play some one so cold with such depth of feeling. Like Lewis, her final scenes are unforgettable. You simply can't walk away from this film the same person you were before you saw it. It is truly that moving. All the supporting cast members are familiar faces and all do an outstanding job, especially Winona Ryder in what is probably the best performance of her young career.
her character's obsessive and selfish desire to have the one man she can't sets the ball in motion in this story and she, sadly, has no real regrets. She is conflicted in knowing that her actions are basically wrong, but that they are still somehow justifiable. Ryder truly captures the soul, or lack thereof, of this character. She is extraordinary here.
The screenplay is adapted by Miller who wrote the play itself and makes the shift from play to screen seamlessly. The direction is confident and appropriately claustrophobic. He allows his actors do their thing without heavy handed influence. The score is terrific and stirring, and the cinematography has almost a documentary feel to it.
Rent or buy this modern masterpiece; it is worthy of your attention.
One last note. So many know this story, but, surprisingly, few seem to adequately understand it's title. I thought the below might be helpful:
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "crucible" as:
1. A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial.
2. A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces. |
