Salem Witch Trials (2002) (TV)

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writer (WGA):

Maria Nation (written by)

Release Date:

3 March 2003 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot Keywords:

Prayer | Young Girl | Witch Hunt | Superstition | 17th Century

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Kirstie Alley	...	Ann Putnam
Henry Czerny	...	Rev. Samuel Parris
Gloria Reuben	...	Tituba Indian
Jay O. Sanders	...	Thomas Putnam
Kristin Booth	...	Lizzy Porter
Katie Boland	...	Annie Putnam
Alan Bates	...	Sir William Phips
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Elizabeth Parris
Peter Ustinov	...	William Stroughton
Shirley MacLaine	...	Rebecca Nurse
Susan Coyne	...	Sarah Good
Colin Fox	...	Isreal Porter
Camille Wainwright	...	Sarah Hawthorne
Elana Shilling	...	Betty Parris
Sophie Bennett	...	Abigail Williams

Runtime:

USA:240 min (2 episodes) | Spain:177 min (DVD edition)

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Spain:13 | Finland:K-18

Filming Locations:

Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Movie Connections:

Version of Salem Witch Trials (1992)

Entertaining and contains some historical truth...

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.