As Bruxas de Salem

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.

First.... I can't believe this is a made for TV movie... seems too well acted, too many great actors, and set design/period too well done, for a "made for TV stamp" to be on this movie.

I never thought much about Shirley MacLaine.... just as a has-been sex symbol, and fluff actress (like early Natalie Wood). But when I saw this movie....WOW... she sheds all vanity and modesty, and delivers a powerful performance worthy of an (other??) Oscar. Piousness, Humbleness, sympathetic...all the qualities I thought this actress was not (didn't she do a Las Vegas show recently??)... she played all this, so movingly.

Peter Ustinov was at his best, too, playing a villain, yet showing his character as more complex, who feels sorrow at what he does, but still metes out his brand of misplaced judgment.

As high a drama as this was, I noted much of the movie as historically accurate enough, making this a great movie. On par with "Judgment at Nuremburg" (another star-clogged movie, that ended up being a great success).

I was pleased to finally see Hollywood come out with a more realistic portrayal of the events surrounding one of the darkest periods in American history. The acting is excellent and the events are about as close to reality as you will ever get out of our American movie industry, which is usually incapable of portraying such historical facts without garbaging things up with special effects and their two cents worth of fiction thrown in for the purpose of maintaining the interest of those with IQ's that parallel the range of springtime temperatures. I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in this period of our history.

i think that maybe you just can't handle the history side of the movie. Maybe thats why you found it so boring because you are so used to watching movies jam packed with crap. This was a very factual and exciting movie. Having been in a history class and doing my project on it I found the movie very helpful. The movie was practically all fact. A few minor mistakes but overall well done. Maybe you just can't appreciate the history behind things and you should be watching things like Not another Teen Movie. Sry!

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.