Salem Witch Trials (2002)

In the Massachusetts town of Salem in 1692 colonial America, a group of young girls claimed they were afflicted by witchcraft. Thus began one of the darkest periods in American history when mass hysteria took over which resulted in many innocent people accused of witchcraft and 19 executed before the madness was stopped. Directed by Joseph Sargent (TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE), the film's three hour running time allows it to go beyond the mass hysteria but to the other motives behind the accusations like petty revenge and property disputes. It certainly shows the danger of having a religious faith based entity in a governing position rather than an objective legal system. The acting is decent with a few stand outs including Shirley MacLaine as God fearing Puritan who suddenly finds herself accused of being a witch, Rebecca De Mornay as a Reverend's wife who can no longer take the hysteria and Alan Bates as the newly appointed by the crown governor. It's an often upsetting piece as we see rampant ignorance and people so easily swayed by the lies of children, all in the name of God. With Kirstie Alley, Peter Ustinov, Jay O. Sanders, Henry Czerny, Gloria Reuben and Kristin Booth.