The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 remain one of the most well-known and horrific examples of mass hysteria in American history. However, many people are not aware that there was a second wave of witch trials that occurred in Salem in 2002. These modern-day trials, while not as severe or deadly as their 17th-century counterparts, still cast a shadow over the small town and served as a reminder of the power of fear and ignorance. The Salem Witch Trials of 2002 were sparked by a series of bizarre and unexplained events that shook the community. Teenagers from Salem High School began experiencing strange symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and bouts of uncontrollable screaming. Many people in the town, including parents and community members, quickly attributed these symptoms to witchcraft and believed that the affected teenagers were being possessed by evil spirits.
Many people in the town, including parents and community members, quickly attributed these symptoms to witchcraft and believed that the affected teenagers were being possessed by evil spirits. The panic and hysteria that ensued closely mirrored the events of the original Salem Witch Trials. Authorities were quick to investigate and find someone to blame for these supernatural occurrences.
Salem Witch Trials
A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, "Salem Witch Trials" is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Plus IconLaura Fries
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A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, “Salem Witch Trials” is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Director Joseph Sargent makes the confounding decision to begin the mini at the zenith of accusations of witchcraft as young girls, overcome with fear, face the accused who suddenly morph into screeching, green-faced demons.
In the ensuing four hours, however, it is obvious that scribe Maria Nation went to great pains to instill a sense of historical accuracy, weaving in subplots about community infighting, sexual politics and religious oppression in 1691 Salem, Mass. For the most part, her script offers many possible theories as to why a group of young girls would willingly play a part in 19 gruesome deaths without spoon-feeding viewers the answer. So why make with the “Scooby-Doo”-like antics?
As the mini flashes back to impetus of panic in the colony, the mini regains credibility. Night one introduces viewers to the dire circumstances of the time and place. There is no charter from England, so basically there is no written law. The oppressive Puritan religion is used to shame and scare its parishioners into good behavior. Indians, starvation and exposure are also a daily threat.
Even under such harsh conditions, a pall is cast on the community one particular winter. Ann Putnam (Kirstie Alley) gives birth to a third stillborn child. A neighbor’s barn is destroyed by fire and Ann’s husband Thomas (Jay O. Sanders) has lost a good deal of his wealth and standing in the community to some forward thinking businessmen.
With his job and reputation on the line, Rev. Parris (Henry Czerny) seizes on the notion that dark forces are abound in Salem and gets the rapt attention of his congregation. As his sermons become more stern and condemning, all of this fear, shame and stress is absorbed by the children of the town, in particular Annie Putnam (Katie Boland).
Annie, deeply disturbed by the death of her baby brother, senses the tension between her parents and the town. Her father shows more affection to the dog than to his own children, and the more Annie acts out, the more attention is granted to her.
Before long, a whole group of girls, frightened and confused by the mixed messages they receive from the adults, start behaving oddly. The accusations of witchcraft start flying, and with them come a sense of power for the girls.
In night two, panic grabs hold of the town. At first, the girls accuse the women with the lowest social standing in town, including Tituba (Gloria Reuben), beloved servant to the Parris children. Then it becomes anyone who speaks out against the trials. Rev. Parris gains new power with one of the leading roles in the witch trials, even if it further alienates him from his sickly wife, Elizabeth (Rebecca De Mornay).
New Massachusetts Gov. Sir William Phips (Alan Bates) sends his Deputy Governor William Stoughton (Peter Ustinov), a rigid Puritan, to preside over the hearings, but instead of bringing the town back to its senses, he calls for more hangings.
Soon the town is purged of Thomas Putnam’s enemies, as well as formerly respected community elders such as Rebecca Nurse (Shirley MacLaine). It isn’t until Ann, racked with guilt over these deaths, draws Phips back to Salem that order is restored.
Nation should be credited with creating a provocative account of such a shameful and confounding event in history — visual witchcapades notwithstanding. And for the most part, Sargent actualizes her story by creating a plausible climate and inducing believable performances from his actors.
Alley gets top billing as she’s given the biggest and most dramatic role; if this indeed marks a comeback, it’s a worthy start. MacLaine gives a surprisingly restrained effort for most of the movie but really shines when she becomes one of the accused. De Mornay also offers a strong turn as a voice of reason as does Bates as the showy William Phips.
While historically interesting and thought-provoking, the ugly hallucinations and difficult subject matter restrict the mini’s use as any sort of educational entertainment. Technically, the production is very well done. Nancey Pankiw’s sets reflect the cold and foreboding realities of the times while costumes offer viewers a glimpse of Puritan life beyond the big white collars and sacklike black dresses.
This search for a scapegoat led to a number of individuals being accused of witchcraft, including fellow students, teachers, and even some parents. The accused were subjected to intense interrogations and trials, complete with modern-day versions of the infamous "witch tests" used in the 17th century, such as the touch test and the water test. As news of the trials spread, media attention descended upon Salem, causing the situation to escalate even further. The trials became a spectacle, with reporters and camera crews documenting every aspect of the proceedings. This influx of attention only served to fuel the hysteria, as the accused were portrayed as villains and threats to the community. Eventually, the trials came to an end when it became clear that there was no evidence of witchcraft. The symptoms experienced by the teenagers were later determined to be the result of mass psychogenic illness, a phenomenon in which physical symptoms are caused by psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety. This conclusion, however, came too late for the accused, many of whom had endured public humiliation and lost their jobs or reputations as a result of the trials. The Salem Witch Trials of 2002 serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of fear and ignorance. They remind us of the importance of critical thinking, rationality, and the need for empathy and understanding in times of crisis. While not as deadly as their historical predecessors, these modern witch trials left a lasting impact on the community of Salem and serve as a reminder of the power of human emotions and the potential for history to repeat itself..
Reviews for "Witchcraft in the Modern Age: The Selam Witch Trials 2002"
1. John - 2/5
I found "Selam witch trialz 2002" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was weak and lacked coherence. The pacing was off, making the movie seem slow and unexciting. The acting was subpar, with most of the characters feeling one-dimensional and unconvincing. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed, which took away from the overall viewing experience. Overall, I would not recommend "Selam witch trialz 2002" to anyone looking for a quality film.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"Selam witch trialz 2002" was a complete waste of time for me. I've never been so bored while watching a movie. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were uninteresting and poorly developed. The film lacked any suspense or tension that is expected from a witch trial-themed movie. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further hindering my ability to connect with the story. Overall, I regret spending my time on this film and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Mike - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Selam witch trialz 2002," but sadly, it failed to deliver. The movie meandered without a clear direction, leaving me disinterested and uninvested in the characters or their struggles. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the film. The cinematography was lackluster, and the special effects were unconvincing, taking away from any potential visual appeal. In the end, "Selam witch trialz 2002" left me feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.
4. Emily - 1/5
"Selam witch trialz 2002" was an absolute disaster. The story was poorly written, lacking depth and coherence. The characters were dull and unlikeable, making it difficult to care about their fates. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, further adding to the disappointment. The whole film felt rushed and poorly executed, with no attention to detail or proper development. I would not recommend wasting your time on this unimpressive movie.