The Crucible [1997] [DVD]
![The Crucible [1997] [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V3PRBWA5L._SL160_.jpg) RRP £12.99 Lowest New Price £3.45 
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Suitable for 12 years and over 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Release date: Monday 19th of April 2004 Starring: Director(s): Format: PAL, Number of discs: 1 Region code: 2 Running time: 118 minutes Language: English (Original Language) |
RRP: £12.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Salem witch hunts are given a new and nasty perspective when a vengeful teenage girl uses superstition and repression to her advantage, creating a killing machine that becomes a force unto itself. Pulsating with seductive energy, this provocative drama is as visually arresting as it is intellectually engrossing. Arthur Miller based his classic 1953 play on the actual Salem witch trials of 1692, creating what has since become a durable fixture of school drama courses. It may look like a historical drama but Miller also meant the work as a parable for the misery created by the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings of the 1950s. This searing version of his drama delves into matters of conscience with concise accuracy and emotional honesty. Three passionate cheers for Miller, director Nicholas Hytner and costars Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder. --Rochelle O'Gorman
Not for the faint-hearted
Review date: 2009-05-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is an extremely well-made film with a superb cast. The film tells the story of the witchcraft trials in Salem.
The subject matter is difficult with Paul Scofield managing to make his character believable despite the - to us - incredible misunderstanding and intolerance of his character.
Daniel Day-Lewis is also excellent showing the 'everyman' view of what is happening in Salem when mass hysteria leads to well-known and respected people in the community being accused of witch-craft and their words being twisted so that whatever they said it was taken as proof of their guilt.
The film (and the story) has a Lord-of-the-Flies like quality showing the worst of human nature. The film is compelling despite the horror of its content.
Reviews
Melting-pot
Review date: 2009-05-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
Daniel Day-Lewis gives his trademark intensity free reign in this absorbing adaptation of Arthur Miller's passionate and powerful play. Winona Ryder plays the manipulative Abigail Williams to a tee, as she naively sets off a chain of events in the town of Salem Massachusetts, that will result in the execution of many of the townsfolk and which was written by Miller as a thinly-veiled attack on the McCarthy Communist 'witch-hunts' of the 1950s.
A dark and brooding tale of greed, piety, and hypocrisy; this 1996 version of the film captures the play's spirit perfectly, and comes highly recommended.
An excellent crucible
Review date: 2009-02-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
An excellent film of the play in which all actors excell but none more than Paul Scofield.
Well, I'll be hanged!
Review date: 2009-01-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
We had to read the text, 'The Crucible' in Drama as part of our unit of the Higher course. I did quite enjoy the play as it were written, but when we were told we could watch the DVD, I was quite excited. I had been 'warned' it was different from the book so the context would fit into a film, but just how different was it to be? And was it as good as I had expected?
The Crucible is set in 1892, in Salem. This was the time when people were accusing one another of being witches, which was a 'hanging' punishment! In this film, a group of girls are conjuring spirits, with Tituba (a servant to Reverend Parris, from Barbados) leading them in the dance. Parris catches the girls, and finds his own daughter, Betty, in hysterics on the ground before fainting. He questions his niece, Abigail about this, but she assures him it is just fright that did it to her. Though when Parris gets in an important doctor, the talk of 'unnatural things' and 'the work of the devil' is being spread around the town. Is the devil really set to work Salem, or is Abigail making this all up to get back her ex-lover by accusing his wife of being witched?
The play was originally written by Arthur Miller in 1967, a time when people in America were being accused of being Communists and forced to leave the country, so this play fits in well with its time. He then wrote the film script adapted from his book, with the film then released in 1997. It was superbly directed by Nicholas Hytner, but it would not have been the success it was without the fantastic talent from the actors!
Abigail Williams was played by actress Winona Ryder, whom I know only from a single episode of Friends! I am not too keen on her nowadays, but back then she seemed to be quite an amazing actress, gripping hold of the emotional character that is Abigail. John Proctor, Abigail's ex-lover was portrayed by the amazing talent of Daniel Day-Lewis. I do not know him from anything else, but I am sure to look out for his work now! Of course there were many other wonderful actors and actresses in the play, but these were the two that really stood out for me.
The film is a British 12, which I feel is reasonable, since there is partial nudity in the opening scene. It lasts for 125 minutes too (2 hrs 5 mins) which can be quite a long time to sit and watch a film, however we watched it over two lessons so it did not seem so drastic!
This is a fantastic film to watch, well put together and great to see after reading the text! It really helps you to understand the characters a little better, and gives you a clearer idea of how to portray them yourself. Even though they do speak in language we do not use nowadays, it is in no way a challenge to follow. Each actor has clearly put all their efforts into putting this together, making the whole experience phenomenal! So I suggest you watch this, before the devil comes after you too!
© Amy 2008
Dynamic Cinematic Rendering Of The Famous Play.
Review date: 2009-01-05 Rating: 8 out of 10
17th Century Salem, Massachusetts.A group of teenage girls led by Abigail Williams(Winona Ryder)seek to divert attention away from their midnight conjuring by turning the town upside down with accusations of witchcraft against innocent god fearing members of the community.Throw in a corrupt town minister(Bruce Davison) and a "godless"stealer of his accused neighbours lands(Jeffrey Jones) and you have a brew for trouble.
When respected farmer John Proctor's (Daniel Day Lewis)wife Elizabeth(Joan Allen) is accused all hell breaks loose and deputy governor Judge Danforth(Paul Scofield) is called in to render"justice".
Energetic,pretty faithful rendering of his own play by Arthur Miller is backed up by good performances and assured direction from Hytner.The central conceit that a group of young girls could convince a townspeople of a non-existant claim is just about carried with Ryder(a very ordinary actress at best)pulling off a difficult role with some aplomb.Her persistent sightings of the devil in the rafters had me looking at my own ceiling once or twice.
Scofield and Allen are superb and whether you choose to see the Crucible as a allegory on the comunist witch hunts of the 1950's as it surely is, I prefer to take a more contrary and personal position:The Crucible is a thoughtful and excellent piece of work that reminds me that organised religion is both foolish and divisive(look at our world)and that personal faith and benevolence should be good enough to ensure a worthwhile life.
Here endth the lesson.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Paul Scofield
Bruce Davison
Winona Ryder
Joan Allen
Daniel Day-Lewis
Creators:
Daniel Day-Lewis (Primary Contributor)
Winona Ryder (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036016933
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-04-19
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996-11-27
Language: English (Original Language)
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