The Crucible: A Classic

A Cinemagazine Review

The Crucible Review: 4/5 ⭐️🔮

Bewitching, bewildering, beheading galore, could the Devil himself ever ask for more? Hold onto your bonnets and sugarloafs as we delve into the searing depths of director Nicholas Hytner’s film, 'The Crucible'—a haunting portrayal of the human condition where truth and lies intertwine, and the cost of morality becomes an incandescent inferno that forever lingers on in the townsfolk of the colony.

And lingers on, it does. Paralyzed by paranoia, the American people sought refuge in plays like The Crucible to escape the grueling hysteria present during the Cold War. Decades later, the timeless piece still captivates audiences through a powerful portrayal of the socially corrupt Salem Witch Trials. In its latest adaptation to the big screen, Hytner brings Miller’s haunting narrative to life, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the gripping events of 17th-century Salem. With a talented cast and evocative cinematography, the film shines a spotlight on the chilling resonance of the play's themes in contemporary society.

The film excellently captures the bleakness and oppressive nature of the corrupt Puritan village through indexed color-correction, emphasizing a gray/dark green motif. The intricate weaving of the Pilgrim costumes are an obvious nod to the original play’s award-winning team of designers and flawlessly mirror that of a true Protestant descendant’s clothing.

Wicked performances and cinematography lay the framework for ‘The Crucible’, and the sheer impact of the film makes this fact difficult to hide. Just like John Proctor boldly stated, “Peace [is] a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now.”