Academy Awards, USA 1997
| Nominee Oscar | Best Actress in a Supporting Role Joan Allen |
| Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Arthur Miller |
Twentieth Century-Fox Film
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb Wikipedia
(Blu-ray, Kino Lorber)
Teen girls caught dancing in the forest are accused of witchcraft in the religiously-charged hysteria of 1692 Salem, Massachusetts. They are put on trial, but easily convince their prosecutors that they see large birds or other such nonsense. One of the girls accuses the wife of her ex-lover of witchcraft, leading to her arrest. However, instead of winning back the husband she incurs his wrath. He is eventually arrested as well, convicted for witchcraft and sentenced to death. The executioner offers to spare his life if he will sign a confession, but he refuses and goes to the gallows with other's falsely accused. The crowd eats it up in their religious furor. Rather disappointing adaptation by Arthur Miller of his own play, with Winona Ryder particularly unconvincing in her crucial role. The setting rarely opens up beyond the small town, giving it a stage-bound, un-cinematic feel.
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