The Crucible (DVD)

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 ...
...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 ... more

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 

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