The Crucible Film

The Crucible Film

The Crucible; an intensely emotional and dramatic film based on the

horrific story of the Salem witch trials. The opening and concluding

sequences are of great importance in conjuring the melancholy

atmosphere present throughout the story. The director uses various

different devices to achieve this.

A variety of camera techniques are used throughout the beginning

sequence to enhance the mood and involve the audience. Camera

techniques are harmonized with lighting effects to culminate this

dramatic scene. I will begin by discussing examples of this.

In the village, many close-ups and long shots are used to enhance

facial expression and to set the sombre mood.

Opening on a zoom shot of Abigail's face, an aura of gloom is created

by the cold colour scheme and her shadowed expression. The bleak décor

of the room shown in this scene is used to further emphasize the

gothic theme of the film. The camera tracks then tracks her out into

the village, it's angle showing the village as she would see it;

claustrophobic and dark. This may be used as a visual metaphor

implying the repressive, narrow-minded nature of the Salem society.

A zoom shot is used to show the other village girls simultaneously

rush from their houses after Abigail, towards the grim-looking forest

ahead. This illustrates Abigail as the girls' leader, and the fact

that the film opens on her establishes her as a main character.

As the film changes scene, the camera techniques change likewise.

Panning and tracking conjure a sense of tension and chaos, and this

effect is teamed with austere colour schemes of purple and blue. The

camera is in mid-...

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...characters. The first

sequence is guaranteed to widen an audience's eyes, getting their

heartbeat racing as the tension builds. After the audience is put

through feelings of anxiety, happiness and awe throughout the middle

of the film, the mood is brought back down to a funereal sombreness,

as the "favourite" character is brought to an end. But perhaps this

scene could be made even more powerful if more focus was put on the

battle for John's conscience, instead of the infidelity of the central

character?

Also, I think that an alternative end to the finishing sequence could

be more effective. When John is hung, this could be shown from his

perspective; the onlookers gradually becoming faded as he swung above

them. The audience still left to imagine John's final state, this

gives a more powerful and enduring image.