Tag Archives: Salem Witch Trials

Preview: Witches of Salem scares up the historical case on T+E

I can always rely on Blue Ant Media’s T+E to bring me scary stories through Canadian docudrama programs like Haunted Case Files, Scariest Night of My Life and Paranormal Survivor. Now they’re going back in time to bring a frightening story to modern-day.

Produced by Saloon Media in association with Talos Films, Witches of Salem debuts Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT as part of “Creep Month” on the specialty channel. The four-parter recalls the Salem witch trials that occurred in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 were accused and 19 were found guilty. Witches of Salem relies on historical documents and court records to tell the story, with help from sociologists, psychologists and cultural historians.

A group of girls sit in church.What sets this apart from other Salem witch trial programming that I’ve seen before is the legwork done setting the scene. While most, if not all, past programs dive right into the screaming and writhing experienced by Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, Witches of Salem describes what life was like at the time both socially and religiously. That goes a long way to explaining why the trials happened in the first place. I’ve been to Salem and read the court documents surrounding the case, and T+E’s project gets it right factually. And, as well-versed in the case as I am, the show is scary as heck. I credit that to an excellent cast led by Nick Biskupek as the creepy Reverend Samuel Parris, eerie camera work, special effects and downright disturbing soundtrack.

Definitely check this out. Preferably with all of the lights on.

Witches of Salem airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on T+E.

Images courtesy of Blue Ant Media.

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