The Crucible (1996)

A Salem woman accuses her ex-lover's wife of witchcraft.

Director:

Nicholas Hytner

Writers:

Arthur Miller (play), Arthur Miller (screenplay)

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	John Proctor
Winona Ryder	...	Abigail Williams
Paul Scofield	...	Judge Thomas Danforth
Joan Allen	...	Elizabeth Proctor
Bruce Davison	...	Reverend Parris
Rob Campbell	...	Reverend Hale
Jeffrey Jones	...	Thomas Putnam
Peter Vaughan	...	Giles Corey
Karron Graves	...	Mary Warren
Charlayne Woodard	...	Tituba
Frances Conroy	...	Ann Putnam
Elizabeth Lawrence	...	Rebecca Nurse
George Gaynes	...	Judge Samuel Sewall
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Martha Corey
Robert Breuler	...	Judge Hathorne

Storyline

The movie is centered around the Salem Massachusetts witch trials of 1692. The movie is based on the play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. He also wrote the screen play adaptation.

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Plot Keywords:

salem | trial | massachusetts | witch | salem massachusetts | 

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Taglines:

Arthur Miller's timeless tale of truth on trial.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense depiction of the Salem witch trials

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Retorta

Filming Locations:

"Old" United Shoe Factory - 181 Elliott Street, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 436,864,000 (Italy) (14 February 1997)

Gross:

£2,282,422 (UK) (4 April 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Love Hewitt was considered for the role of Abigail Williams.

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Goofs

When John Proctor and Elizabeth are having their private conversation towards the end of the movie, his teeth look normal. However once they return to judge and Rev. Hale, his teeth look rotted and decayed. When he his hanged (the same day) his teeth are normal again.

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Quotes

John Proctor: Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. We never touched.
Abigail Williams: Ay, but we did.

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Connections

References The Devils (1971)

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Soundtracks

"The Yanvalou Chant"
Provided by Shakmah Winddrum

User Reviews

I am not someone to randomly give out a perfect score for a movie...

...And I also happen to be a very critical person of most films. With that being said, The Crucible completely blows me away with its virtually flawless cinematic achievements!

Daniel Day-Lewis is absolutely superb as John Proctor; there is no other way to put it. He is simply perfect, from his bitter, withdrawn opening few lines to when he is accused of witchcraft by his former adulterous--and scorned--lover (Winona Ryder) and begins passionately fighting for his very life and existence--and, of course, his name.

Winona Ryder turns in a beautiful performance as the disturbed and tragic Abigail Williams: a Puritain orphan raised by her super-strict, brutal, and overall villainous uncle. She becomes infatuated with John Proctor, a married man and a bit of an outcast to their society, and is willing to do anything and everything to 'obtain' him, if you will.

Joan Allen's Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress was not undeserved. Her portrayal of the honest and saintly Elizabeth Proctor (not fake innocence, like Abigail's) was touching and a bit heart-wrenching toward the end (won't give that away here).

It wasn't just the awesome acting that won me over, but the authentic Old English dialog, the somewhat grainy cinematography (which provided an uneasy feeling in viewing the town of Salem), and wonderful sets and costumes that really made this a classic for me, and my all-time favorite movie. Highly recommend it! A perfect 10/10!