The Crucible (1996)

Director:

Nicholas Hytner

Writers (WGA):

Arthur Miller (play)
Arthur Miller (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

Arthur Miller's timeless tale of truth on trial.

Plot:

A 17th-century Salem woman accuses an ex-lover's wife of witchery in an adaptation of the Arthur Miller play.

Plot Keywords:

Confession | Passion | Blood | Sacrifice | Witch

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. May 19

4:00 PM

HBO

Cast

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

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Brazil:12 | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34461) | Iceland:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The open casting call for this movie was held at the abandoned Danvers State Hospital in Danvers Massachusetts, where the movie Session 9 was filmed, the auditions were held in the auditorium of the abandoned hospital which is prominently featured in Session 9.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

John Proctor: Go to bed, Mary.
Mary Warren: I'll not be ordered to bed anymore, Mr. Proctor. I am 18 now and a woman... however single.
John Proctor: If you wish to sit up, then sit up.
Mary Warren: I wish to go to bed.
John Proctor: Good night, then.
Mary Warren: Good night.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Now & Forever (2002)

Soundtrack:

The Yanvalou Chant

Heartwrenching Drama

Arthur Miller is one of my favorite playwrights. Being a drama major, I read a lot of Miller. THE CRUCIBLE is by far my favorite. It has been for the last six years. This film version is great, not only the acting by some principles, but the sets, costumes, script, and (maybe I'm weird) music. Winona Ryder is exceptional as Abigail, who starts the whole witchcraft thing. Daniel Day Lewis is too subtle and quiet as John Proctor. Judge Danforth is boring in the film. Joan Allen is wonderful. She plays the long suffering wife Elizabeth Proctor and she is just as saintly as the character is supposed to be. The final scene with John and Elizabeth Proctor makes me cry every time when Elizabeth confesses to John that..."...it was a cold house I kept. Forgive me John. Forgive me.".

***1/2 out of 4