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Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen, Bruce Davison ... see more see more... , Rob Campbell , Jeffrey Jones , Karron Graves , Ken Cheeseman , Mara Clark , Frances Conroy , George Gaynes , Mary Pat Gleason , John Griesemer , Elizabeth Lawrence , Will Lyman , Tom McDermott , Dossy Peabody , Ashley Peldon , William Preston Robertson , Peter Vaughan , Charlaine Woodard , Peter Maloney , David V. Picker , Michael Gaston , Rachael Bella , Robert Breuler , Ruth Maleczech , Kali Rocha , Karen MacDonald , Anna V. Boksenbaum , Dorothy Brodesser , Sheila Ferrini , Amee Gray , Lian-Marie Holmes , Jessie Kilguss , June Lewin , Simone Marean , Michael McKinstry , Charlotte Melen , Carmella Mulvihill , Katrina Nevin , Steven Ochoa , Sheila Pinkham , Jane Pulkkinen , Mary Reardon , Alexander Streit , Stanely Taylor

When Arthur Miller's play The Crucible was first staged in 1953, it was widely acclaimed as a metaphor for the recklessness of Joseph McCarthy and his spurious crusade against communism. In its 1996 s... read more read more...creen adaptation (scripted by Miller), the tone has been adjusted somewhat and plays as a warning against the dangers of political and religious extremism of all kinds. After a group of young women is accused of witchcraft in the Puritan community of Salem, Mass. in 1692, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) is held in suspicion of practicing magic. Abigail in turn levels charges against John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his wife Elizabeth (Joan Allen). Abigail has a private grudge against the Proctors; while working as their servant, she had an affair with John, and when John ended the relationship and returned to his wife, Abigail was fired. Now the Reverend Parris (Bruce Davison) is hearing accusations and counter-accusations of misdeeds from all sides of the community in the wake of Abigail's charges, so he brings in Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield) to determine who is guilty or innocent. However, given the moral climate of the time, it seems someone has to be found guilty of witchcraft, even though firm evidence of wrongdoing is becoming hard to come by. This was the second screen version of The Crucible, though it was the first one in English; the previous version, filmed in France in 1956, starred Simone Signoret and Yves Montand. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

64% liked it

30,020 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

35 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Nicholas Hytner

Release Date: December 13, 1996

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DVD Release Date: June 1, 2004

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Stats: 1,428 reviews

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Daniel Day-Lewis and Joan Allen in The Crucible Abigail Daniel Day-Lewis in The Crucible Paul Scofield in The Crucible Charlayne Woodard The Crucible the crucible the CRUCIBLE Joan Allen in The Crucible Joan Allen in The Crucible Daniel Day-Lewis in The Crucible Winona Ryder in The Crucible Joan Allen in The Crucible Bruce Davison & Winona Ryder in The Crucible The Crucible Joan Allen in The Crucible
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Flixster Reviews (1,428)

  • moonrivers
    August 7, 2011
    moonrivers
    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 particul... read morearly spellbinding.
  • ajv2688
    July 9, 2011
    ajv2688
    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.
  • CloudStrife84
    April 14, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    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 Ryd... read moreer (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.
  • MissMorganLeee
    January 10, 2011
    MissMorganLeee
    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... read more it.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    December 30, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    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... read more'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.
  • MrMarakai
    October 6, 2010
    MrMarakai
    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 l... read moreandowner 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!
  • TomBowler
    August 21, 2010
    TomBowler
    True to the source material and very dark. Full review later.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    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... read more great choice of style and tone.
  • movieguru12
    September 26, 2009
    movieguru12
    Very stupid and so is the book.
  • FilmFanatik
    August 16, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    A wonderful and powerful adaptation, this one left me speechless.

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Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
August 8, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Neither the establishing dramatic linchpin nor the final conversion of conscience is terribly convincing, leaving this pared-down rendition of the original work diminished in power and meaning as well. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

There's an awful, piercing truth in the performances of Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Joan Allen and Paul Scofield as members of a community destroyed by guilt, paranoia and betrayal. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This version illuminates the story's numerous strengths, resulting in a motion picture of surprising emotional and intellectual impact. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

With a head on its shoulders and the rawest emotions in its craw, Arthur Miller's stage hit The Crucible has become a cinematic grabber for grown-ups -- without that castor oil taste.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The first scene in "The Crucible'' strikes the first wrong note. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
December 13, 1996
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Ryder, usually a soft, placid actress, unleashes a bold new anger here. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
July 30, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

The movie version reveals the play as what it always was: a melodrama about a married guy who shouldn't have dallied with a vengeful girl. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
November 30, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It couldn't be more timely or relevant. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Hytner holds the action together with solid, unflashy, well-paced direction, ensuring that this is no mere period piece but a compelling, pertinent account of human fear, frailty and cold ambition. Full Review

Michael Dequina
September 11, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Perfectly captures the air of hysteria and paranoia. Full Review

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Facts

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  • Arthur Miller's timeless tale of truth on trial.
  • In order to fully get into character, Daniel Day-Lewis (John Proctor) didn't shower or take a bath from the moment filming started until it wrapped.
  • Like the 1971 film, "The Devils", "The Crucible" is about a young woman's sexual obsession (in this film, the woman in question is Winona Ryder), which results in panic and chaos revolving around supposed heresy and witchcraft.
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  • What actor plays John Proctor in the film version of "The Crucible"?  Answer »
  • Who stars as Abigail Williams in the film adaptation of Arthur Miller's The Crucible?  Answer »
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