The Crucible

Rating:
Summary: Witchery
Review: A good movie, albeit a bit slow. It focuses on both the Salem Witch trials and the communist "witch hunts". Excellent acting, especially by Winona Ryder (Abagail) and Rachael Bella (Betsy Parris), the later being a rather underrated actress who has appeared more recently in movies like The Ring (Becca) and a tremendous performance on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Good movie worth checking out.

Rating:
Summary: "Your justice would freeze beer."
Review: Although the playwright Arthur Miller was also the screenwriter for this production starring Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis, the film bears little resemblance to the play in tone and impact. Director Nicholas Hytner has abandoned the intimate, almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the dark, interior scenes in the play, in favor of an expansive setting, with many scenes set outside, including panoramic shots of Salem in 1692, full of costumed "citizens." The expanded setting makes the psychology and motivation of the witchcraft hysteria more difficult to determine, since the intensity of the settlers' repressed, interior lives is not obvious. The explanatory notes which Miller incorporates into the play about land disputes, religious controversies, and personal animosities, which led to specific individuals being accused and arrested for witchcraft, are seen only peripherally.

As a result, we see Winona Ryder, as Abigail Williams, and her coterie of bewitched girls, screaming hysterically and accusing innocent women of witchcraft without the background which would make these accusations plausible. Her previous relationship with John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis), in the absence of other motivations, seems to be the primary reason for her behavior, but this thwarted love does not explain the extent of her rage and, especially, the involvement of the other girls. Day-Lewis is reduced to the role of victim, and one of the hallmarks of his acting, his subtlety, is absent here, except in a wonderful final scene with his wife, played by Joan Allen. Details of the scenery also ring false--houses in this period were very small because of the difficulty of heating, one third the size they are here, and the church/meeting houses were modest in accordance with religious restrictions against unnecessary display.

This is a Hollywood version of the witchcraft trials, capitalizing on the sensational at the expense of the complex and subtle forces behind the accusations of witchcraft--the Indian wars which were just ending, the growing independence of individuals, the increasing resentment of hard-line theocratic rule, the abolition of traditional property laws, and most importantly, the lack of any societal role whatsoever for young women, who were not old enough to assume a woman's role and who, bored and left out of decision-making, were on their own in dealing with their adult feelings. The film is beautiful, and the acting, though one-dimensional, is as effective as it can be in the absence of fully-developed motivation for the girls' hysteria. The "witches" are reduced to cartoons here, and Miller's parallels between these trials and the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, which give the play a modern context, are missing. Mary Whipple

Rating:
Summary: "Your justice would freeze beer."
Review: Although the playwright Arthur Miller was also the screenwriter for this production starring Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis, the film bears little resemblance to the play in tone and impact. Director Nicholas Hytner has abandoned the intimate, almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the dark, interior scenes in the play, in favor of an expansive setting, with many scenes set outside, including panoramic shots of Salem in 1692, full of costumed "citizens." The expanded setting makes the psychology and motivation of the witchcraft hysteria more difficult to determine, since the intensity of the settlers' repressed, interior lives is not obvious. The explanatory notes which Miller incorporates into the play about land disputes, religious controversies, and personal animosities, which led to specific individuals being accused and arrested for witchcraft, are seen only peripherally.

As a result, we see Winona Ryder, as Abigail Williams, and her coterie of bewitched girls, screaming hysterically and accusing innocent women of witchcraft without the background which would make these accusations plausible. Her previous relationship with John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis), in the absence of other motivations, seems to be the primary reason for her behavior, but this thwarted love does not explain the extent of her rage and, especially, the involvement of the other girls. Day-Lewis is reduced to the role of victim, and one of the hallmarks of his acting, his subtlety, is absent here, except in a wonderful final scene with his wife, played by Joan Allen. Details of the scenery also ring false--houses in this period were very small because of the difficulty of heating, one third the size they are here, and the church/meeting houses were modest in accordance with religious restrictions against unnecessary display.

This is a Hollywood version of the witchcraft trials, capitalizing on the sensational at the expense of the complex and subtle forces behind the accusations of witchcraft--the Indian wars which were just ending, the growing independence of individuals, the increasing resentment of hard-line theocratic rule, the abolition of traditional property laws, and most importantly, the lack of any societal role whatsoever for young women, who were not old enough to assume a woman's role and who, bored and left out of decision-making, were on their own in dealing with their adult feelings. The film is beautiful, and the acting, though one-dimensional, is as effective as it can be in the absence of fully-developed motivation for the girls' hysteria. The "witches" are reduced to cartoons here, and Miller's parallels between these trials and the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, which give the play a modern context, are missing. Mary Whipple

Rating:
Summary: Brilliance achieved.
Review: I have never seen a stage version of The Crucible (although I have read and studied the play many times), but I can safely recommend this film as the most brilliant film adaptation of a play (ranking along side 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf?') that I've ever seen. Boasting a cast that includes Daniel Day Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Schofield and Joan Allen this film managed to pass unnoticed beneath the public eye. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner (of 'The Madness of King George' fame) and the screenplay was written by Miller himself, if this is not enough to make the general public haul themselves off the sofa, I don't know what is. The thing I liked most about the film was that you could finally see events that were only reported upon in the play (such as what really happened in the woods, and the trials of the lesser characters). What makes the film even more poignant is the fact that it is based on true events which took place during the Salem witch hunts. I am aware that Miller only wrote the play to comment on the McCarthy communist witch hunts (which labelled Miller himself as a left wing sympathiser), but now that the 'red threat' is over, the film becomes a saga about how our beliefs can influence our relationships with other people. Joan Allen was robbed of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar by Juliette Binoche, and she turns in a stunning performance as the truly holy Elizabeth Proctor, almost defiled by Winona Ryder's equally brilliant woman scorned. My favourite among the cast was an actress I hadn't seen before and haven't heard of since: the actress (Karon Graves?) who played Mary Warren, the girl who knows she and her friends are lying, but when she tells the truth, Abby points the finger at her. I dare you to watch this and not enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: A great film
Review: I have seen this movie perhaps a dozen times, and never tire of it. It is one of the most compelling, well-written movies I can think of, and the acting is superb throughout, particularly from Day-Lewis, who gives a heart-stopping performance. Because of its theme about witches, the movie gets played a lot around Halloween, but it is by no means a horror movie. It's not even a thriller, really, yet it does manage to thrill and keep the viewer totally involved. I love this movie and can't wait for the DVD.

Rating:
Summary: A superior historical drama
Review: I was greatly impressed with Nicholas Hytner's film "The Crucible." Arthur Miller adapted the screenplay from his own great play. Yes, filming an influential literary classic can be a problematic task. But ultimately, director Hytner does an excellent job with a truly marvelous cast.

"The Crucible" is based on a real historical incident: the Salem witchcraft trials, which resulted in the execution of 19 individuals in late 17th century New England. Miller's play and screenplay could also be read as a metaphor for the anti-Communist "witch hunt" led by United States Senator Joseph McCarthy in the mid-20th century (a crisis which Miller lived through).

The film is a chilling exploration of religious fanaticism, paranoia, scapegoating, mass hysteria, and sexual guilt. Winona Ryder turns in a disturbingly effective performance as the young woman who is the flashpoint of the crisis. Daniel Day-Lewis and the luminous Joan Allen are superb as a married couple who become entangled in the trials. And a special mention should be made of Bruce Davison, who is both loathsome and pitiable as the minister who plays a key role in the trials. Davison's excellent performance eerily foreshadows his role as the mutant-hating senator in the film "X-Men." Good costuming and set design add to the overall effectiveness of the film.

Ultimately, I see "The Crucible" as, in part, a cautionary tale of the danger of allowing religious dogma to dictate public policy. But whether or not you see a political message in film, I believe that all can appreciate the fine work done by the filmmakers and cast.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT story of the Salem Witch Trials
Review: I watched this movie this year in my English class, and it is so good! I'm not saying it's happy, because it is far from it, but it is a very good depiction of how the Salem Witchcraft Trials began and the hysteria that a few girls caught doing forbidden things in the forest caused once they started blaming anyone and everyone to try to save themselves. I'm warning you, you will cry, but it is a great learning experience.

Rating:
Summary: A Superbly Directed and Acted Film
Review: It is rare nowadays that I come out of a movie feeling moved and enlightened. Suffice it to say that when I first saw The Crucible in the theatre several years ago, I left the movie understanding a bit more about human nature and a greater appreciation for the power of group hysteria. This film draws on the fine acting talents of Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder (in her best role ever), and Joan Allen. Not only is the dialogue brilliant, but the emotional content is incredibly affecting. I am so glad to see it finally on DVD. In this day and age of disposable art, it is heartening to see that movies of this caliber are still being made (even if it is with less frequency).

Rating:
Summary: the best movie ever
Review: omigosh this movie is so great. It really showed the witchcraft trials in a powerful way. All the actors did a wonderful job with their characters. Excpecially Rob Campbell as rev. Hale who I thought was super hot (hee hee). I really got into the movie and even cried. I would definetly buy this and thats why im gonna today!From jelousy to hate this was the true betrayal of the trials and im sorry all those innocent people had to die and at least some people relize and appreciate what they went through.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly acted, directed, and produced
Review: Rarely does a film the caliber of "The Crucible" come along, but when it does, it richly deserves the praise it receives. Although the subject matter may not be the most uplifting or flattering to American history, the excellent writing and finely crafted performance duly compensate. Daniel Day-Lewis, Joan Allen, and Winona Ryder are at the top of their game, commanding attention, pathos, pity, admiration, both for their characters and for their deeply-layered work. However, the supporting cast does not falter, either. Rob Campbell is genuinely affecting as compassionate Reverend Hale, while Paul Scofield infuriates and fascinates as the unbending judge who begins to question his own judgment as the movie nears its climax.

Credit must also be given to the fabulous Arthur Miller, whose contribution to contemporary American drama is matched only by a few. His screenplay is finely-tuned, clever, and evocative, and makes the same impact today as it did in the 1950's. Nicholas Hytner's direction displays his mastery of the craft, and deserves recognition as well.

But perhaps the greatest merit of the play is that despite the standout performances, excellent writing, and superior direction, the message of the story still shines through.