Tags
1990's, Arthur Miller, Daniel Day-Lewis, Drama, Joan Allen, Nicholas Hytner, Paul Scofield, Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, Winona Ryder
Film Title
The Crucible
Director
Nicholas Hytner
Cast
- Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor
- Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams
- Paul Scofield as Judge Thomas Danforth
- Joan Allen as Elizabeth Proctor
- Bruce Davison as Reverend Samuel Parris
- Rob Campbell as Reverend John Hale
Scripted by Arthur Miller from his acclaimed play and directed with fervent energy by Nicholas Hytner, The Crucible captures a palpable atmosphere of fear and hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials. Powerfully acted and emotionally intense, it makes for memorable viewing.
1692 Salem, Massachusetts. In the early hours of the morning a group of girls sneak into the woods for a strange ritual with a Barbadian slave, Tituba. The gathering appears innocent enough, with the girls wishing for various boys in the village to love them by scattering offerings into a pot. One of the girls, Abigail Williams, wishes her former employer who put an end to her affair with her husband,dead and kills a chicken. This causes the girls to whip up a frenzy by wildly dancing and chanting. They are then discovered by Abigail’s uncle, Reverend Samuel Parris. Then eerily, two of the girls involved fall into deep comas and gossip spreads like fire through the puritanical village that it is the devil’s work and that witchcraft is involved. Panicking, Abigail claims that Tituba was working with the devil and that it possessed the group. It is here that events take a sinister turn, as Abigail realises the power that she wields. She, influencing the other girls, begin to name member of the village they ‘saw’ practicing witchcraft. One of those named is Elizabeth Proctor, the good wife of John who had the affair with Abigail when she was a servant. Mass hysteria ensures as more names are accused and the village begins to tear itself apart with fear and uncertainty. Caught up in this commotion are John, who realises how much trouble is being caused as a result of Abigail’s lies, his saintly wife, the judge who has the difficult decision to make and Abigail, the instigator of this hysteria.
Nicholas Hytner should be praised for conjuring up an atmosphere of religious fear and panic as the residents turn on each other and the village takes on an almost mob mentality. What he excellently captures is the snowball effect of lies and how the word of one person, without a shred of proof, can have a corrupting influence on those around whose minds are clouded with uncertainty. Arthur Miller, writing from his own play, cleverly shows the parallels between the trials and the McCarthy era witch hunts in the time the play was written. The musical score is exceptionally used to highlight the divided and fearful emotions as the narrative plays out.
What really makes The Crucible compelling viewing is the cast assembled. Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor turns in a typically intense performance as his character begins to see the repercussions of his dalliance with the spiteful Abigail. As the catalyst of the story, Winona Ryder is manipulative, conniving and wounded as the vixen like Abigail, who is out for vengeance as she still carries a torch for John. Her feverish emotions are a particular highlight as we watch her manipulate the village and point the finger at the innocent people with a mendacious fervour. Paul Scofield is one of the highlights from the supporting cast, making his judge character a powerful and imposing presence as he debates what to make of the mass hysteria engulfing Salem. Embodying a quiet stoicism and sincerity, Joan Allen shines as the innocent Elizabeth, the one who incurred the wrath of Abigail and is now seeing what the lying girl is capable of. Bruce Davison and Rob Campbell appear as just some of the many caught up in this circular time of fear and blaming. The only quibble I had with The Crucible is that sometimes the pacing lulls and the narrative slows. But when the story hits the emotional heights it really soars as a dramatic study of fear, vengeance and unforseen consequences.
Powerfully, emotionally raw and at times disquieting, The Crucible is an excellent adaptation of an acclaimed play that boasts terrific performances and the right amount of period atmosphere.
Good review Vinnie. Pretty disturbing and emotional, even if every performance here is amped-up to 11.
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, yeah some of it was very disturbing in parts.
LikeLike
Met a long-time girlfriend while she was in a production of that play, and we saw the film version together years later and loved it. ML
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, I had to study the play while in high school.
LikeLike
Nice review. I’m a big fan of this film myself. It isn’t without its flaws, but it’s a fantastic and overlooked adaptation of the play.
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment. I do think it is very overlooked by many people.
LikeLike
I’ve seen the 1957 version with Simone Signoret and Yves Montand, but I still need to see this. Thanks for your thoughtful review.
LikeLike
Thanks for the comment, I’ll have to check out the 57 version.
LikeLike
Great film and great review!
LikeLike
Thank you very much for the nice comment.
LikeLike
I watched this after visiting Salem, Mass and it really add to my experience. Such a terrible time.
LikeLike
I’ve always been interested in the history of the Witch Trials. I need to visit Salem some day.
LikeLike
It’s a fun place, but pretty touristy to keep that in mind.
LikeLike