The Crucible
A 17th-century Salem woman accuses an ex-lover's wife of witchery in an adaptation of the Arthur Miller play.
Member Reviews
Elevated by It's Performances but Not Quite Enough - Gregg
Based upon the play by Arthur Miller this is a re-telling of the events leading up to and surrounding the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Miller was inspired to write the play by the Hollywood black listings, and he was himself summoned to testify by the House Committee on Un-American Activities several years later.
The head of the local congregation (Jeffrey Jones) in 17th Century Massachusetts is worried about his position in the community when he finds his daughter and his niece (Winona Ryder) dancing about a fire in the woods with some other girls, and when his daughter and another girl fall into a coma like state he declares it must be the devils work and calls in an expert. From here the situation escalates as the girls (led by Ryder’s character) admit to having fallen under the devil’s sway and immediately repent but not without dragging in the reputations of others. More and more people are implicated as the motives become personal and Joan Allen’s character the wife of Daniel Day Lewis with whom Ryder’s character lusts after is accused.
Despite the occasional missteps and being at times somewhat overly melodramatic it is still a fairly satisfying film for the most part because of the superb cast. In addition to Jeffrey Jones, Winona Ryder, Joan Allen and Daniel Day Lewis the cast of the film also included Bruce Davison and Paul Scofield (Oscar winner of A Man for All Seasons)in his final screen appearance.
The film garnered two Oscar nominations; for Arthur Miller’s adaptation of his own play and Joan Allen for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, one of her three Academy Award nominations thus far.Very Good - mello
This movie was very well made and the actors chosen were the best choices and worked very well together. A great reenactment of historical events. Its very sad how something so small can turn into something so large. A great lesson was learned from the events in salem.A great re-enacment of historical events. - nick2
This movie did was a great re-enacment of the tragedy that happenned in 1692. This story shows how some people can have great influence on less powerful people than themselves. A sad recount of the events that put Salem, massachussets on the map, The Crucible is a movie anyone visiting Salem should watch before their departure. It helps understand how Salem came to be so popular.
Member Reviews
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Elevated by It's Performances but Not Quite Enough - Gregg
Based upon the play by Arthur Miller this is a re-telling of the events leading up to and surrounding the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Miller was inspired to write the play by the Hollywood black listings, and he was himself summoned to testify by the House ...Very Good - mello
This movie was very well made and the actors chosen were the best choices and worked very well together. A great reenactment of historical events. Its very sad how something so small can turn into something so large. A great lesson was learned from the events ...A great re-enacment of historical events. - nick2
This movie did was a great re-enacment of the tragedy that happenned in 1692. This story shows how some people can have great influence on less powerful people than themselves. A sad recount of the events that put Salem, massachussets on the map, The Crucible ...