---
title: "The Crucible: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-crucible/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-crucible"
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Crucible (1996): what the critics said

Critics' score 62 from 7 reviews: 3 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative.

The reviews lean positive but not strongly, and the split is wide. Most critics agree that the film is a faithful, serious piece of work and that Paul Scofield is its chief reason to watch: his judge is named as the standout even by the critics who dislike the film around him. Winona Ryder draws praise from more than one quarter, and Daniel Day-Lewis, Joan Allen and the cinematography are singled out by those who rate it highest.

Where the critics part is over what the move from stage to screen has cost. Even the warmest notice, from Empire, concedes that opening the play out loses some of its claustrophobia. Variety goes further, finding the adaptation stirring in places but unconvincing at its climax, and the Los Angeles Times finds it too frantic and schematic to involve, reserving its approval for the quieter scenes with Scofield. The spread runs from near-rave to outright dismissal, with little settled in the middle.

## Empire — Phil Thomas

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

The critic calls it an almost perfect adaptation, though opening up the play loses some of its claustrophobia. They single out Paul Scofield’s mesmerizing performance as the film’s standout.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crucible-review/)

## Radio Times — Jason Caro

Rating 4/5. 

Caro says the play is brilliantly brought to the screen. He singles out Winona Ryder’s performance and Paul Scofield’s commanding presence as the film’s dramatic highlights.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-m4xljt/the-crucible/)

## Total Film — Total Film

Rating 4/5. 21 February 1997. 

The review calls the film an enthralling, fine drama and a superb adaptation, though it may not appeal to everyone. It praises the performances, especially Winona Ryder, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Joan Allen, as well as the cinematography.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-crucible-review/)

## RogerEbert.com

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The page did not load, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No praise or complaint from the review is available.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-crucible-1996)

## Time Out — GA

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The page identifies this as a review, but the review text is unavailable. Its verdict and any specific praise or criticism cannot be determined.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-crucible)

## Variety — Todd McCarthy

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 1996. 

McCarthy finds the adaptation emotionally stirring but diminished in impact and ultimately unconvincing. He singles out Paul Scofield’s commanding performance as the standout, while criticizing the film’s failure to make its climactic spiritual transformation persuasive.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-crucible-1200447867/)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 1996. 

Turan finds the film too frantic and schematic to be involving, despite its powerful credentials. He singles out Paul Scofield’s dignified performance and the quieter scenes with him for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-13-ca-8506-story.html)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md