Salem Witch Trials (2002)

First and foremost, this is a well-told, historically accurate tale, with the title telling the entire plot. This masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch-trials, to spread the witch-fears to surrounding communities, what factor halted these trials, these heinous tortures, these executions, and the shallow, self-righteous politics involved. A remarkable performance by all involved, with Kirstie Alley, as Ann Putnam, leading the way, supported by Peter Ustinov, as Reverend William Stroughton, and Shirley MacLaine, as the pious Rebecca Nurse. Excellent. Nothing more need be said.--footnote-- If you are aware of Salem history, then my above entry contains spoilers, simply because of the accuracy of the film.

I admit that I've never really given much thought to the career of Kirstie Alley ... as I've never really seen her do anything worth making note of ... until today. In the Salem Witch trial, she radiates a truthfulness that I have never seen in any of her past performances. She borders, at times, of overacting ... however, one wonders if this is due to the script, or did someone forget to tell us that she was playing the part of a woman bordering upon insanity? I prefer to think it was a problem with the script.Shirley MacLaine ... OMG ... I have to say that I never ever thought I would see Shirley MacLaine in the all together, the all together as naked as the day that she was born ... and I'm not so sure I shall ever get over the experience! I can't believe that the script would call for her not to cry during this humiliating experience. But it is one heck of a soul baring scene. I do have to say that the prison scene "and I shall find GOD there" was sheer genius, and the acting made all the more memorable.I, obviously, found the scripting to offer so much less than what this most talented cast brought forth out of the depths of their bowels ... EWWW ... sorry, got carried away. Its just that most of the acting in this movie was worthy to be shown in theaters, and not as a TV movie. And i can't believe that I have only just discovered this movie 12 years after it was made.The Salem Witch Trials are true American horror stories that will never be forgotten, especially as it is a true testament to man's inhumanity to man ... for nothing more than the greed of man ... and, even more so, the church! More children of GOD have been tormented, tortured, and murdered, in the name of a false god that I pray I never come face to face with. Oh, that's right ... that god doesn't exist ... THANK GOD!Update ... I have just discovered that the DVD of this movie has a problem to which I have only been watching the last half of the movie! For the first time I am watching the full movie and now it makes sense.

Kirstie Alley and Shirley Maclaine really shine in this Canadian/American telefilm. it has all the qualities of a first-rate Hollywood film, and there isn't one bad acting job in the bunch. Particularly good are the young girls who were doing the accusing. They absolutely were so convincing in their "possession" scenes that they had me believing they were really possessed. I admit I knew little real information about the Salem Trials and I have never seen "The Crucible". The acting and direction here are really top-notch and I found the film to be riveting and ultimately heart-breaking to watch. If you get a chance to see this, please do so. It apparently is available on DVD and I assume that would be the same copy that is circulating on Netflix streaming.

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.