Just perfect...

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Tremendous acting done by actors and a very good cast assembling as well.

The Crucible is a drama and a 1997 film adaptation of Arthur Miller's play of the same name. The play (and the movie, by extension) is set during the Salem Witch Trials and is an allegory for the Red Scare. Being a victim of the Red Scare, it's natural that this story was personal to Miller, and it really shows in how polished and well written the play and movie are. And before you misconceive anything, the movie was actually still written by Arther Miller and he basically adapts it very accurately. The only differences tend to be new scenes added in to update the play and improve it.The first thing I have to talk about is the acting. Everyone here does a fantastic job, especially Winona Ryder, who really owns her character. When they are supposed to be deceptive, they feel deceptive. When they are supposed to feel melancholy, they do. When they are supposed to be happy, they are. This cast really runs the gamut of amazing performances, and as I said, I absolutely love Winona Ryder in this.The characters are all incredibly interesting or likable. Daniel Day-Lewis's John Proctor (arguably the main character) isn't some white bread dude. He's made his mistakes, he's failed, but at the end of the day you can still tell he's a good guy and understand his actions, even if you don't always agree with them. Outside of Abigail Williams and maybe John Proctor, I also adored Giles Cory for his personality and stubbornest. The dialogue fits the time period, making it feel authentic. And it's still wittily written and can get a few laughs here and there.As far as the costumes and sets go, they are wonderfully well done. It all fits the time and looks authentic. It still looks great regardless too, and there is no CGI or any bullshit to ruin the look of this film. The atmosphere is incredibly dark and tense, though I wouldn't say on Deathtrap levels of intensity.The plot is incredibly well written and makes sense from beginning to end. The characters never feel like they're changing just because the plot needs them to. Instead, they evolve and develop rather naturally, and it's really believable when you see some guy who was naive at the beginning to understanding exactly what's going on at the end. I also have to give massive props to the romance in the film. It's not often that I ever praise romance in a film, as I inherently tend to dislike the element as it's not often particularly well done, but the Crucible goes the whole nine yards. While couples like the Proctors undeniably have chemistry between one another, they still fight and they still have to deal with other problems with their relationship the whole way through, and the fact that it never feels forced deserves massive kudos.The musical score isn't amazing, but it's definitely fine. It's your standard, sweeping orchestral soundtrack with nothing really new to spice things up. Surely serviceable, but it's also surely worth mentioning.It's not often that I bother to mention cinematography, but this film is beautifully shot.The Crucible is undeniably one of the greatest drama films I've seen-- it's up there with V for Vendetta, it's that good. I truly have no real criticisms to level at the Crucible. It's just an amazing ride and kept me interested the entire two hours. If you see it around sometime and you like some good drama in your films, definitely check it out. The Crucible gets a 10/10.

"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".

In the reading the reviews and comments here, I find it unfortunate that some of our reviewers seem to think that brilliant has to be exciting. It doesn't, and this movie is a key example of that. The writing is top notch, and the story and dialog show how hysteria and revenge may have been major factors in the incidents leading up to the Salem Witch Trails.The primary roles are extremely well acted. Daniel Day-Lewis is superb as the resident who ultimately gives up his life rather than be cowed by the judges. Winona Ryder...well...difficult to like her character, and I felt that sometimes she was overacting...but overall effective. Paul Scofield excellent as the head judge. Joan Allen good as Day-Lewis' wife, but she's been better in other films. Bruce Davison genuinely unlikable as the local reverend who acts simply to save his position. Rob Campbell, an actor with whom I am not familiar, was quite good as another reverend.There's no question that some will not like this film. It moves slowly, but surely through the plot. The cinematography is well done in the spartan settings. I would class this as a niche film -- the niche here being viewers that like a more realistic view of history through film. I enjoyed the film, but to be honest, I doubt that I will watch it a second time.