The Crucible (1996)

Featured Audience Ratings

• moon r

  
  The Witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts, and an examination of how mighty reason and immovable logic fare against different types of hysteria (they don't). Simply an excellent work, a script with balls, with moving performances by all concerned. Joan Allen though was… More
  The Witch trials of Salem, Massachusetts, and an examination of how mighty reason and immovable logic fare against different types of hysteria (they don't). Simply an excellent work, a script with balls, with moving performances by all concerned. Joan Allen though was particularly spellbinding.

• AJ V

  
  The film of Arthur Miller's classic play. It stars many popular actors, and they all do a great job bringing their characters to life. I really liked this movie.

• Mike S

  
  Absorbing and well-acted period piece, about the famous Salem witch trials in 17th century America. An honest and intriguing reflection of the hysteria that went on at the time; as a result of religious fears and that ignorance that goes with it. Stellar performance by Winona Ryder… More
  Absorbing and well-acted period piece, about the famous Salem witch trials in 17th century America. An honest and intriguing reflection of the hysteria that went on at the time; as a result of religious fears and that ignorance that goes with it. Stellar performance by Winona Ryder (if not the best I've ever seen by her), and Daniel Day-Lewis is equally engaging as one of the voices of reason among the town's conflicted villagers. A dark chapter in human history, authentically portrayed in this widely captivating drama.

• Morgan S

  
  As always DDL was great. Near the end he seemed to slip a bit but I think that had to do a bit with the fake teeth they were making him wear. :) Of course I had to watch this for english class but I had seen it before and I could following it much better the second time I watched it.

• Jennifer D

  
  I never had to read the play or anything, but I did rather enjoy this. Whenever Winona Ryder pulled a crazy I got this big ole smile on my face. I do love some good theatrics. I wasn't entirely entranced with DDL, one of my faves, but in the end he definitely pulled it off. I… More
  I never had to read the play or anything, but I did rather enjoy this. Whenever Winona Ryder pulled a crazy I got this big ole smile on my face. I do love some good theatrics. I wasn't entirely entranced with DDL, one of my faves, but in the end he definitely pulled it off. I can't really note any amazing cinematography or anything, all a play can offer in translation to film is good acting and good dialogue, and it did deliver that much.

• Mark W

  
  Who better to pen the script to a film version of the classic stage play, than the playwright himself, Arthur Miller? Centered around the Salem Massachusetts witch trials of 1692, it tells the story of Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), a young woman who is infatuated with local… More
  Who better to pen the script to a film version of the classic stage play, than the playwright himself, Arthur Miller? Centered around the Salem Massachusetts witch trials of 1692, it tells the story of Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), a young woman who is infatuated with local landowner John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis). They once had an illicit affair but when Proctor refuses any further contact, the jilted Abigail accuses Proctor's wife Elizabeth (Joan Allen) of witchcraft, resulting in trials being held. Young Abigail is so convincing in her scornful lies, that it brings the whole town to ruin and under suspicion. With the arrival of Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield), determined to rid the town of evil forces, hangings of innocent people begin, prompting Proctor to face the lies he has told in order to save his friends and his wife. Although loosely based on actual events it was also written by Miller as an allegory on Senator Joseph McCarthy and his "Communist witch hunts" of the 1950's, that blacklisted artists and filmmakers for being "Un-American". This included Miller's one time friend and film director Elia Kazan, who went on to make "On the Waterfront" as a defence of his 'naming names' and a direct response to Miller's play. It's a powerful film with powerful performances. Not being overly keen on Winona Ryder, she is actually really good as the conniving and scorned Abigail. Joan Allen is absolutely solid as the seemingly stoic and reserved wife. Daniel Day-Lewis' tormented Proctor is at first, slow-burning but once he realises the full extent of the injustices, his portrayal of a proud man torn apart by guilt is mesmerising, and the almost expressionless Paul Scofield seems to convey his character through his tone of voice, which is very powerful and quite simply, a masterclass in acting. It would make an interesting double bill with Kazan's "On the Waterfront". Both having entirely oposing messages and themes throughout and showing, quite clearly, what side of the fence they both sat on. Me? I'm with Miller!

• Thomas B

  
  True to the source material and very dark. Full review later.

• Conner R

  
  Daniel Day-Lewis was amazing as always and Winona Ryder gave a surprisingly creepy performance as well. For being such an old play, the adaption was true to it's source and at the same time breathed new life into the story. I loved the stale approach that they went with, it was a… More
  Daniel Day-Lewis was amazing as always and Winona Ryder gave a surprisingly creepy performance as well. For being such an old play, the adaption was true to it's source and at the same time breathed new life into the story. I loved the stale approach that they went with, it was a great choice of style and tone.

• Cassie H

  
  Very stupid and so is the book.

• Tim S

  
  A wonderful and powerful adaptation, this one left me speechless.

• Leigh R

  
  Nothing spectacular.

• Curtis L

  
  I would have liked it better had I seen it under better circumstances.

• Kylie B

  
  Now to read the play...

• Dean M

  
  Arthur Miller turned the incident into a 1953 sage play that was - among other interpretations - an indictment of McCarthy-era communist hunts. Miller has now turned his play into a crisp, volcanic film about repressed sexuality, collective evil, and mass hysteria.

• Drew S

  
  Winona Ryder swinging a chicken around her head naked = win

• Aaron N

  
  Everytime I hear about the crucible, I get pissed off, because it reminds how ignorant/evil/stupid many people were and still are.

• Joseph E

  
  Great acting, but come on, what perposterous , stupidity!

• Mike T

  
  It appears to me that the source material for this film is quite solid. A lot of the concepts and undercurrents are interesting, and it's nicely drawn out. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman also happens to be one of my favorite plays of all time, so I know he's a… More
  It appears to me that the source material for this film is quite solid. A lot of the concepts and undercurrents are interesting, and it's nicely drawn out. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman also happens to be one of my favorite plays of all time, so I know he's a great playwright. However, the film loses something in its translation. The fact that the whole picture is built around dialogue and performance is an honorable pursuit, but the execution is clumsy and it falters overall. Director Nicholas Hytner leaves the impression of someone who's unsure behind the camera, with inconsistent visual choices and strangely directed interactions between characters. A lot of the performances feel showy and self-conscious, even Winona Ryder's. She's an actor I normally respect and admire, but perhaps she was miscast in this role. Day-Lewis is strong, of course, but it was Karron Graves, an actress who evidently never made much of her career, who left the strongest impression for me. She leaves an indelible mark on the film with her outstanding, passionate performance.

• Mike

  
  This is a great sequel to the film "The Scarlet Letter" in which Winona Ryder plays the troubled daughter of Hester Prynne. After accusing Chillingworth of sacrificing her baby to witch spirits, Daniel Day-Lewis steps in and negotiates a land-grab in which all of… More
  This is a great sequel to the film "The Scarlet Letter" in which Winona Ryder plays the troubled daughter of Hester Prynne. After accusing Chillingworth of sacrificing her baby to witch spirits, Daniel Day-Lewis steps in and negotiates a land-grab in which all of Salem's land is bought on speculation of oil. Winona eventually dies in the aftermath of an oil rig explosion. Or maybe I have it all backwards.

• Marcus W

  
  Remember that classic scene in Monty Pythons Holy Grail whereby they accuse that girl of being a witch? This film is essentially that scene stretched to two hours, with the jokes removed, and lots of talking.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings