A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Did you know
- TriviaEpilogue: "In January of 1693, Sir William Phips reprieved the sentences of all the remaining witches awaiting execution."
"In all 20 innocent people were killed. Tituba Indian, unable to pay her prison fees, remained in jail until she was sold to a new home."
"The impact of the Salem witch trials was so profound that it brought down an entire way of life, marking the end of puritanism and the beginning of what would eventually become America."
"At the insistence of their descendants, the last five of those accused of witchcraft were officially pardoned by the state of Massachusetts on October 31, 2001."
- GoofsIn reality, Governor Phips was only 41 at the time of the Salem Witch Trials. The film depicts him as obviously much older.
- Quotes
Sarah Good: That is not a Puritan prayer!
Rebecca Nurse: No, it is a prayer of my own.
Sarah Good: That is blasphemy! God will strike you down!
Rebecca Nurse: No, child. 'Tis people who punish, not God.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Chasing Life: Model Behavior (2015)
Featured review
Although this version has a few serious historical flaws, "Salem Witch Trials" is a relatively entertaining story. I agree that Part I was slow but I chalked that up to historical/cultural background that made Part II more believable. Two things that bothered me: (a) the trials appeared to be judged by two men from beginning to end when, in reality, a panel of several men was sent to try the accused, and (b) the scene of Rebecca Nurse in prison asserting New Age philosophy seemed out of character for this pious Puritan woman. Still, the overall story was accurate and believable.
I found this version to be more historically accurate (if less entertaining) than "The Crucible," simply because "The Crucible" relied on the premise of an affair between two major characters that most likely did not happen. (In reality, she was only eleven while he was in his sixties.)
Another thing that bothered me in both versions was the absence of Tituba's husband, John Indian. He played a relatively major role in the original trials.
I found this version to be more historically accurate (if less entertaining) than "The Crucible," simply because "The Crucible" relied on the premise of an affair between two major characters that most likely did not happen. (In reality, she was only eleven while he was in his sixties.)
Another thing that bothered me in both versions was the absence of Tituba's husband, John Indian. He played a relatively major role in the original trials.
- timothylynn
- Mar 8, 2003
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