The Crucible

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The Crucible

PG-13

1996

2h 3m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After married man John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) decides to break off his affair with his young lover, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), she leads other local girls in an occult rite to wish death upon his wife, Elizabeth (Joan Allen). When the ritual is discovered, the girls are brought to trial. Accusations begin to fly, and a literal witch hunt gets underway. Before long, Elizabeth is suspected of witchcraft, and John's attempt to defend her only makes matters worse.

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Critics Consensus

This staid adaptation of The Crucible dutifully renders Arthur Miller's landmark play on the screen with handsome production design and sturdy performances, if not with the political anger and thematic depth that earned the drama its reputation.

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Ryan Gilbey

Independent (UK)

12/07/2018

Perhaps understanding the distance that these fictional interpretations have created, The Crucible seems to invite a moral and emotional, rather then political reading.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

05/17/2013

Then there's always Mr. Scofield, bringing an almost unbearable, yet entirely believable, lightness of spirit to his loathsome character. It's a bold stroke by a great actor, making zealotry and evil seem positively beneficent.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

05/17/2013

I recommend Hytner's movie highly, but a part of me resists a work that makes the audience feel as noble in our moral certainty as the characters it invites us to deplore. Some part of its power seems borrowed from the thing it hates.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Apr 10

A

A powerful, vital and compelling adaptation of the great Arthur Miller play.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/02/2024

3/4

The Crucible benefits from an increasingly compelling midsection and second half focused on Day-Lewis’ commanding figure...

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

11/30/2023

Raymond Rouleau’s French-East German coproduction should provide something of a revelation...

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Monty G

@Montyginger Jan 1

Performances are amazing and the movie it self is scarier than any other horror film. It’s quiet and hunting. Winona was so good and is always a pleasure to watch !

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Anthony H.

@Hardy Dec 18

The Crucible, a powerful film that dives into the depths of human nature, revealing the capacity for evil. The performances in this film are nothing short of exceptional. While the narrative may be slow at certain points, the majority of the film is a relentless display of hatred and malevolence. This film left a profound impact on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to gain valuable insights into the human psyche.

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Isla L

@RT06018919 Sep 12

A heart wrenchingly moving film with suspense and a chill across your spine when Winona comes in to the scene. As for Mr Daniel day Lewis all I can say is my man you were born in the wrong era. Most films do not move me to tears but this was like nothing other I’ve ever seen and worth the watch.

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Aug 25

An absolute greatly acted masterpiece of a film that deals with the real life situation of the Salem Witch Trials and the horror of what happened in the year 1692.

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Ben S

@RT80784314 Jul 21

A classic story. The speech at the end is beyond powerful and sticks with you

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2000's Barbie T

@Thedoll 05/15/2025

When first watched The Crucible I must admit that it really did scared me more than the horror movies do. It was both quiet and energetic at the same time that I can’t really find the word to describe it. It’s a minimalist looking movie and really makes you feel like in it. The acting was on its point! It was so good and especially Winona Ryder! She was amazing!!!! The whole cast it self is so good and performances are phenomenal. But I have to warn you it’s a bit stressful and if you haven’t read the play you don’t know what’s coming next.

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Nicholas Hytner

Director

Daniel Day-Lewis

John Proctor

Winona Ryder

Abigail Williams

Paul Scofield

Judge Thomas Danforth

Joan Allen

Elizabeth Proctor

Bruce Davison

Reverend Parris

Nell

60%

64%

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Synopsis

After married man John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) decides to break off his affair with his young lover, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder), she leads other local girls in an occult rite to wish death upon his wife, Elizabeth (Joan Allen). When the ritual is discovered, the girls are brought to trial. Accusations begin to fly, and a literal witch hunt gets underway. Before long, Elizabeth is suspected of witchcraft, and John's attempt to defend her only makes matters worse.

Director: Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Robert A. Miller, David V. Picker
Screenwriter: Arthur Miller
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.3M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Surround