In the film "the crucible" directed by Nicholas Hynter is based on the play by Arthur Miller set in Salem 1692. It is a relentlessly suspenseful drama of collective evil and personal conscience. At its centre is an emotionally moving story of guilt, love and redemption. Arthur Miller was struck by the incredible similarity between the hysteria in Salem in 1692 and the life in America society after World War 2. The fear of communism or the "red threat" viewed as a sinister obstacle to the goal of world peace. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his house committee conducted a `witch hunt' to expose those suspected of being communist. Innocent people were unjustly persecuted for their views resulting in the end of their careers and damage of their reputation.

The film explores the mystery of the handing over of conscience and Miller uses the Salem witch trials to address his problem and...