 |
In the tradition of Arthur Miller's McCarthy-era play The Crucible, this two-part TV dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials was heavily influenced by the present-day political scene. Rev. Parris (Henry Czerny), spiritual leader of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, needs a unifying issue to end the intramural squabbling between the town's Puritans. When the daughters of Ann and Thomas Putnam (Kirstie Alley and Jay O. Sanders) begin behaving in a bizarre, disruptive fashion, Parris knows that he has found something that can be transformed into a target of unilateral hatred for his flock. Before long, the Putnam girls and the family's servant Titubea (Gloria Reuben) have been labeled as witches, and eventually the hysteria spreads throughout the town, with anyone who doesn't agree with the status quo running the risk of public ostracism, and ultimately, execution for witchcraft (the eventual fate of 20 unfortunates). The climax is devoted to the notorious witch trials, staged at the behest of the Massachusetts colony's politically ambitious deputy governor (Peter Ustinov). Shirley MacLaine makes a rare TV appearance as the ill-fated Rebecca Nurse. Salem Witch Trials was presented by CBS on March 2 and 4, 2003. Great movie and long but well worth the price i spent on it a must see.. {Mrs puman}Read full review
I enjoy everything about Salem, MA. I have vacationed there and enjoy it's history. This movie a great interpretation of the time period. As expected the movie is not 100% on the money with the actual event. How can any version be. Non of us were there to experence it first hand. However, this movie does a solid effort to put you in the period and shows the terrieble times of fear and hardship. I reccomend it to everyone interested in the Witch Trials or Salem, MA. Then.... go visit Salem!! There still stands the only House directly related to the Witch Trials....The Salem Witch House which acctually belonged to one of the trial judges and not an accused witch.
This two-part movie is long, but it held my attention from beginning to end. As the horrifying events unfold, my first reaction was incredulity. It seemed incredible that the Puritans could turn on so many former friends and neighbors and believe so strongly that these people were witches. But then, not only did it really happen, but it certainly wasn't the last time in history that it did. How could any sensible, logical person believe that slavery was OK...or that all Jews should be killed...or that half the people in Rwanda in the 1990s should be exterminated because they were members of the "wrong" tribe? Yet all these events are part of history, and THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS demonstrates how fear, overzealous religion, and mob pressure can lead to otherwise-rational people committing atrocities against their fellow humans. A must-see. Kirstie Alley & Shirley MacLaine give memorable performances.Read full review
Great Movie
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I had remembered this movie fom when it was on tv and thought it was a great movie, maybe not the best but great! I usually dont like historical movies because sometimes they arent worth getting but this one is! The historical aspects of it are great and Kirsty Alley did an excellent job in this movie! If you loved The Crucible than youll love this one! Its loaded with great drama and even though this movie is 3 hours and 10 minutes, you will keep your eyes on the movie! The movie will hold your attention and you feel the impact of the Trials of what happened in Salem 1692!
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
