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Epicurus.com - The Crucible
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List Price: $9.98
Our Price: $27.99
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen, Bruce Davison
Directed By: Nicholas Hytner
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780793941445
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 079394144X
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1998-10-13
Running Time: 123
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1996-11-27
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Arthur Miller's Analogy
Comment: Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
It still baffles me that this superb drama was not even nominated for a Best Picture Oscar the year it was released (1996) because, in my opinion, it was one of the finest films of that decade.
Arthur Miller originally wrote his play, THE CRUCIBLE, to serve as an analogy for the House Unamerican Activities witchhunt that was then going on in this country. People may not have been condemned to hang back then, but lives and careers were being destroyed, often on the whims of the investigators and witnesses.
The setting for the play and the film, adapted for the screen by Miller, is 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, where 19 people were actually hanged because they would not confess to being in league with the Devil.
A group of teenage girls, led by Winona Ryder, meet in the woods at midnight for a secret love-conjuring ceremony, but instead of love, Ryder wishes for the death of her former lover's (Daniel Day-Lewis) wife (Joan Allen).
When the ritual is witnessed by the corrupt town minister (Bruce Davison), the girls are accused of witchcraft. To save themselves from being whipped, Ryder devises a plan that ultimately causes many members of the community, accused of consorting with Satan, to stand trail before judge Paul Scofield.
Before this tribunal, proof is not necessary...merely an accusation by Ryder and her girls or any citizen, whatever their ulterior motives.
When Allen is accused by Ryder, Day-Lewis takes on the court in an attempt to prove his former lover a fraud.
This is a disturbing, frightening motion picture, mainly because this did happen and it can happen again.
Nicholas Hytner directed. Jeffrey Jones co-stars.
- Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great movie
Comment: I bought the movie to show to my junior English class. Aside from the brief nudity (which will get some of my student's attention), the movie adheres fairly close to the play and fits nicely in the literature unit. I had never seen it before and was impressed with the power displayed by the actors and director. I have never reviewed a movie before, but this definately fit my purpose for the class.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Crucible Passes the Test
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Crucible: A Classic
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: NOT SINCE I HAD A ROOT CANAL. . .
Comment: 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!
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