Best movie of this year hands down!

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Even though this movie was from 1996, I had never before viewed it until now (2018). Very well done, interesting subject, but I will say we had to enable the English Subtitles because some of the verbal dialog was mumbled and hard to decipher...

Right up there with the 2002 film 'Salem Witch Trials' (the one with Kirstie Alley, Henry Czerny, Gloria Reuben and Julian Richings) I think The Crucible, a 1990's adaptation of the Arthur Miller play which tries to present a portrayal of the tragedy, is one of the best that cinema has to offer. Winona Ryder is excellent in this especially as Abby, the goody-two-shoes who is secretly the worst of them all. Everything about this film, right down from the soundtrack to the foggy, rural scenery, is unforgettable and chilling. Film portrayals of plays don't always work. They can either come across as too campy or too serious at times. Nevertheless, if there were ever a good one, this would definitely be one to look for.

"The Crucible" stars Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor, a man who lives in 17th century Massachusetts. When a young woman (Winona Ryder) begins maliciously accusing villagers of being possessed by supernatural forces, Proctor finds himself the only man of reason within an increasingly deranged town. Based on an Arthur Miller play of the same name, the film was directed by Nicholas Hytner.In 1952, director Elia Kazan, one of Miller's close friends, appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Fearful of being blacklisted from Hollywood, Kazan revealed the names of eight members of the Group Theatre, who in recent years had been fellow members of the Communist Party. Soon after this testimony, Miller travelled to Massachusetts to research the infamous witch trials of 1692. His intention was to write a play that condemned the denunciatory political hysteria of the 1950s, which he aimed to compare to the tryings and hangings of witches in the 1600s. This quickly written play would open at the Beck Theatre on Broadway in early 1953. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, a renowned Marxist, would first adapt the play for the screen in 1957. At its best, Nicholas Hytner's version of "The Crucible" critiques sexual repression, puritanical hysteria and of course silly witch-hunts. As a film about the realities of both McCarthyism and 20th century class conflicts, though, it's mostly lightweight. As is typical of these films ("The Front", "Good Night, and Good Luck", "Guilty by Suspicion" etc), we simply watch as avatars of "enlightened liberals" are patted on the back for, Christ-like, absorbing persecution by irrational nutcases. Because the US never witnessed government-driven anti-Communist purges on the scale of France, Italy, Germany etc (persecution of communists began over a half century before the formation of the USSR), such films never go beyond the hounding of America's left-leaning intelligentsia. That the United States' actions abroad were resulting in the deaths of millions, the couping of countless governments, and the backing, arming and funding of numerous dictators and/or terrorist groups against nationalists, independence movements and left-wing governments, most of whom had no connections to the Soviet Union, never enters the conversation. The more illegal and/or unsavoury actions of the US government at home (projects like COINTELPRO, MINARET and nowadays ECHELON, MUSCULAR etc), are likewise ignored. This is perhaps because McCarthyism also functioned as a big distraction. It kept paranoid and crushed dissidents at home, whilst providing a convenient ideological framework in which conservatives and reactionaries could define and promote muscular "American values" at home and abroad. Politics aside, "The Crucible" is an entertaining film. Daniel Day-Lewis plays well a role that sixty years ago would have gone to a Henry Fonda or Jimmy Stewart - the likable, enlightened "everyman" - and Winona Ryder is good in a role which would make a fool of most other actresses. Despite its subject matter, Hytner maintains a comedic touch, recognising the absurdity underlying his horrific subject matter. 8/10 – See "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold", "The Front" and "Citizenfour".

Written by Arthur Miller & based on his play of the same name, 'The Crucible' offers Great Performances by its terrific cast. While as a film, it engages in parts. 'The Crucible' Synopsis: A salem women accuses her ex lover's wife of witchcraft. 'The Crucible' is masterfully shot by Andrew Dunn & honestly Written by Miller. The Writing appeals in parts, although the slow-pace does hamper its overall impact. Nicholas Hytner's Direction is passable. 'The Crucible' is rich when it comes to performances. Joan Allen is fantastic, while Daniel Day-Lewis is persuasive. Winona Ryder is remarkably credible. Paul Scofield is effortless & classy. Bruce Davison is in brilliant form. Jeffrey Jones & Rob Campbell are fabulous. Peter Vaughan is highly competent. On the whole, 'The Crucible' has its share of pluses & minuses.