If an equivalent of the Salem witch trials were being held today in some community, the charges of the executed would be laughed at. But at the time, the Puritan community felt so threatened by the "devil" (which, invariably can come in any form at any time and force people to falsely testify about a previous testimony that could have or could not have been true, thus making an educated decision concerning the defendant's guilt nearly impossible) that they would kill those they love if there was the slightest chance of his "presence."
Arthur Miller's writing, firstly, is drama in the purest form. There was not one point in the film that I was not immersed in the plot. The cinematography pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting a much more, well, play-like attempt in the film. But I guess the surprise was only mine in my film ignorance.
Daniel Day Lewis was perfect. He displayed Proctor's loyal yet skeptical personality, and, without the audience noticing, moved from being stress-free and resolved of his adultery sin with his wife, in the beginning of the film, to a man ready to do anything to save his wife's life, including kill. I also have to mention the actor who played Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield), for he was my favorite character. An image of justice, he did just the opposite in the play, ironically killing without remorse or hesitation in the name of God.
I am still trying to pick apart this film for all its underlying themes and motifs. But I guess that's what makes a great film; that it stays on your mind for days in everything you see and every decision you make. Read the play, watch the play, watch the film, or do all of these, for you won't regret its impact.
Arthur Miller's writing, firstly, is drama in the purest form. There was not one point in the film that I was not immersed in the plot. The cinematography pleasantly surprised me. I was expecting a much more, well, play-like attempt in the film. But I guess the surprise was only mine in my film ignorance.
Daniel Day Lewis was perfect. He displayed Proctor's loyal yet skeptical personality, and, without the audience noticing, moved from being stress-free and resolved of his adultery sin with his wife, in the beginning of the film, to a man ready to do anything to save his wife's life, including kill. I also have to mention the actor who played Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield), for he was my favorite character. An image of justice, he did just the opposite in the play, ironically killing without remorse or hesitation in the name of God.
I am still trying to pick apart this film for all its underlying themes and motifs. But I guess that's what makes a great film; that it stays on your mind for days in everything you see and every decision you make. Read the play, watch the play, watch the film, or do all of these, for you won't regret its impact.
