The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope (1972) User Reviews

Helter Skelter - coming down fast in 1692

[lonflexx · 10/10 · 25 April 2011]

A 35 minute short made to supplement high school history class comprehension of the Salem witch trials. Filmed documentary-style on location at Pioneer Village in desolate fall weather. The script is taken from the actual court records of the trials. This may explain some of the plot line lacunae which the previous reviewer is complaining about.

That reviewer is definitely right about the bewitching and hallucinations among the teenage puritans - it must have had students rolling in the aisles. Hilarity not withstanding, this film has solid educational value and could still be used in classrooms today. It's factual, it doesn't condescend and it gives a clear example of why separation between church and state is a desirable thing.

Viewers raised on 70s TV will recognize numerous familiar faces from made-for-TV-movies, cop shows and sit-coms of the era.

Terrible

[aceshigh-76465 · 1/10 · 14 September 2015]

I have seen better acting in a porn flic. I hate to be crude, but it it is true. Please don't flag me. I am not exaggerating. I cannot tell you how dreadfully boring this is, and this is coming from a guy who is both interested in history and documentaries. Don't waste your time watching this--you will learn more and be more entertained by looking it up on Wikipedia. Gah, I had to watch it in class today and it was just terrible. It wasn't even so bad that it was good--it was just plain awful! But it wasn't just that--the camera work was terrible, and often focused on the characters at weird times from weird angles. It had weird transitions, and it looked as if it were created by a bunch of high-schoolers. Don't waste your time on this dreadful nightmare of a film. This movie should be tried and burned at the stake, for it has done more evil than what those "witches" ever did.

Nothing special

[PlanetDune · 3/10 · 13 May 2022]

If you've seen The Crucible, you know the story. The 17th century's version of today's "groomer/pedo" craze had young children and teens seeing "witches" in innocent townspeople and before long people were being jailed and executed.

This was not a feature-length production, nor was it even intended for general viewing. It was an educational feature - and it shows. It isn't horrible, but it is intended to inform rather than entertain.

More dedicated fans of Dark Shadows might recognize John Baragrey, who plays Hale here. Baragrey appeared in three episodes of 'Shadows' as James Blair, a representative of a "New York syndicate" working on behalf of revenge-obsessed Burke Devlin (Mitchell Ryan) to call in demand notes in an effort to take over the Collins properties. Sadly, this would be Bargarey's final acting credit, according to IMDB. He would pass away from a cerebral hemorrhage just three years after his appearance in 'Salem'.

Certainly check this one out if the subject matter really appeals to you, but there isn't much reason to take this one in otherwise.

HIDEOUSLY BAD, WORST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN

[8Syx · 1/10 · 29 September 2003]

This is laughably bad. Nothing makes sense, it lacks cohesion and lighting abilities. HORRIBLE Dialogue and ACTING. HORRIBLE Dialogue and ACTING. I cannot explain this any better. Only watch this if you want to see a movie that is a hilarious train wreck, be my guest. I can't get over how bad this is. There is one scene involving girls making the stupidest pain groans (which are pointless and don't make any sense), it is SO FUNNY.

0/10, and I'm being nice.