The Crucible, a 1996 film based on the homonymous play from the sixties,
provides a clear and useful visual representation of Arthur Miller’s vision for
his play. The Crucible stars Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor, Wynona
Ryder as Abigail Williams, Joan Allen as Elizabeth Proctor, and a slew of other
actors as supporting characters in a small Salem village struck by suspicions
of witchcraft in the late seventeenth century. One interesting aspect of the
movie was the portrayal of John Proctor. John Proctor is purposefully likened
to the physical characteristics of Jesus, as an implication of his martyrdom
and undeserved killing. He wears brown robes and has shoulder-length hair,
center-parted, reminiscent of how Jesus dressed. When he is executed at the end
of the movie, he is placed in the center of the gallows, similar to how Jesus
was crucified. This imagery by the filmmakers is to symbolize the role of John
Proctor as the village martyr and exemplify how he is wrongfully killed.
Yes, I recommend the film for both people who have
and haven't read the Crucible. The film provides a good visual of often-times
confusing language and scene changes when reading the play. For example, in the
beginning of the play, while the writing is focused on one scene only, the
movie allows the viewer to understand events happening in parallel throughout
the village. Additionally, the symbolism in the movie, such as the long table
between John and Elizabeth Proctor, help convey to the viewer the strain in
their relationship, a subtle undercurrent that often goes unnoticed in the
play. Overall, the movie is a fresh view on the Salem witch trials and the
hysteria and suspicion rippling through many communities as a result, and how
the words of others can be stronger than we think.
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