( low conversations ) Man: QUIET!

QUIET!

( banging ) QUIET IN THIS MEETING PLACE.

WHO HAS BEEN ASSIGNED AS KEEPER OF THE RECORDS?

I HAVE, SIR.

MR. SAMUEL PARRIS.

LET THE RECORD SHOW THEN THAT THE ACCUSED PRISONER WAS APPREHENDED AND PLACED IN THE INGERSOL PUBLIC HOUSE THIS NIGHT PAST.

LET THE RECORD STATE THIS EXAMINATION WAS TO TAKE PLACE AT THAT PUBLIC HOUSE BUT WAS MOVED TO THE SALEM VILLAGE MEETINGHOUSE TO ACCOMMODATE THE PRESSURES OF THE MASSES THAT HAVE ASSEMBLED.

ALSO, THAT MAGISTRATES JONATHAN CORWIN AND I MAGISTRATE JOHN HATHORNE DO SO PRESIDE OVER THESE EXAMINATIONS.

HAVE YOU DULY NOTED?

I HAVE.

BRING IN THE PRISONER.

( murmuring ) MY GOD... DEAR REBECCA.

SHE'S WEAK.

GOD BE WITH HER.

MAGISTRATE CORWIN, PLEASE READ THE COMPLAINT.

THERE BEING A COMPLAINT THIS DAY, MAY THE THIRD AND 20th DAY OF MARCH, 1692 AGAINST REBECCA NURSE THE WIFE OF FRANCIS NURSE OF SALEM VILLAGE FOR SUSPICION OF HAVING COMMITTED ACTS OF WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERIES THEREBY HAVING DONE MUCH HURT AND INJURY TO ANN PUTNAM, THE WIFE OF THOMAS PUTNAM ANN PUTNAM, DAUGHTER OF THOMAS PUTNAM AND ABIGAIL WILLIAMS AND COMPANY.

GOODWIFE NURSE YOU'RE BEFORE THIS ASSEMBLY TO ANSWER ALL CHARGES HELD AGAINST YOU AND TO BE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS CAUSE YOU SHOULD STAND TRIAL FOR CHARGES OF WITCHCRAFT HELD AGAINST YOU.

WHAT BE YOUR REPLY TO THESE CHARGES?

WHY DOESN'T SHE SPEAK?

SHE IS CONFUSED.

SHE CANNOT HEAR.

WHAT WILL COME OF THIS?

AGAIN, HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

INNOCENT... INNOCENT TO THESE CHARGES.

CAN YOU HELP, ISRAEL?

I WILL TRY TO GET TO JOHN HATHORNE, MY WIFE'S BROTHER.

YOU!

ANN PUTNAM JUNIOR WHAT DO YOU SAY?

HAVE YOU BEEN HURT BY THIS WOMAN?

YES.

SHE BEAT ME THIS MORNING.

SHE WAS IN CUSTODY THIS MORNING.

HER SPECTER BEAT ME.

HER SPECTER.

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS.

HAVE YOU BEEN HURT BY THIS WOMAN?

YES.

SHE HAS!

SHE HURTS ALL OF US!

GOODY NURSE THEY SAY YOU HURT THEM.

WHAT SAY YOU?

I SAY BEFORE MY ETERNAL FATHER I AM INNOCENT.

GOD WILL CLEAR MY INNOCENCY.

NO ONE DESIRES THIS MORE THAN I BUT IF YOU BE GUILTY, PRAY GOD DISCOVER YOU.

I NEVER AFFLICTED NO CHILD... NEVER IN MY LIFE.

DID YOU NOT BRING SATAN?

DID YOU NOT BID ME TEMPT GOD?

HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU EATEN TO YOUR OWN DAMNATION?

( screaming ) LORD, HELP ME!

OH, MY ARMS.

SHE BENDS MY ARMS!

THEY BREAK!

( screaming ) I CANNOT BEAR ANYMORE, SAMUEL.

PLEASE, TAKE ME FROM THIS PLACE.

THE YELLOW BIRD!

THE DEVIL'S FAMILIAR.

SEE IT ON HER SHOULDER!

A BLACK MAN WHISPERS INTO HER EAR!

( screaming ) YOU KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE GUILTY OF HAVING FAMILIARITY WITH THE DEVIL.

THEY SAY THEY SEE THESE FAMILIARS WITH YOU.

IT IS FALSE.

I AM CLEAR, I SAY!

( screams ) IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE, STOP THIS MADNESS!

THERE IS WITCHCRAFT AFOOT.

CAN'T YOU HEAR?

MAKE HER STOP!

SHE PINCHES AND BITES ME!

( screaming ) SET UP GOODY NURSE'S HEAD OR THE MAID'S NECK WILL BE BROKE!

YOU CAN SEE THESE AFFLICTED CHILDREN ARE GENUINE YET YOU CRY OF YOUR INNOCENCY.

HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LED BY TEMPTATIONS?

I HAVE NO ONE TO LOOK TO BUT GOD.

IT IS SAD TO SEE A CHURCH MEMBER ACCUSED OF SUCH A CRIME.

DO YOU THINK THESE AFFLICTED PERSONS ARE BEWITCHED?

I DO THINK THEY ARE...

THEY MUST BE.

REBECCA... NO!

WHEN THIS WITCHCRAFT CAME UPON US THERE WAS NO SUSPICION OF TITUBA.

SHE PROFESSED LOVE TO BETTE PARRIS BUT IT WAS HER APPARITION THAT DID THE MISCHIEF.

WHY NOW SHOULD YOU NOT BE GUILTY FOR YOUR APPARITION ALSO DOES HURT.

WOULD YOU HAVE ME BELIE MYSELF?

MR. PARRIS... DO YOU HAVE A RECORD OF WHAT MRS. THOMAS PUTNAM UTTERED DURING HER FITS PREVIOUSLY?

I HAVE.

"THE CHILDREN... LITTLE BABIES... "DEAD, ALL...

MURDERED... WINDING SHEETS...

MURDERED.

GOODY NURSE.

GOODY NURSE."

Hathorne: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS?

I...

I CANNOT HELP IT.

THE DEVIL MAY APPEAR IN MY SHAPE.

REBECCA!

REBECCA NURSE WE FIND JUST CAUSE THAT YOU GO TO TRIAL FOR PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT.

YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY SENT TO SALEM JAIL PAYING THOSE COSTS YOURSELF.

THERE YOU WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE TRIAL DATE.

YOU WILL BE TRIED BY THE LAW FOR PRACTICING WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY UPON INNOCENT CHILDREN AND NEIGHBORS.

GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL... OR WHAT THERE BE OF IT.

TAKE THE PRISONER AWAY.

IF YOU TOUCH ANYONE BELONGING TO MY HOUSEHOLD WITH YOUR FOUL LIES YOU SHALL ANSWER FOR IT!

I DO NOT LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE IS SOMETHING ODIOUS ABOUT IT.

AND SO MY MOTHER IS TAKEN TO SALEM JAIL.

WE HAVE TRIED TO INFLUENCE THE MAGISTRATES, SAMUEL.

IT FALLS ON DEAF EARS... SOMETHING HAS SWAYED THEM.

SOMETHING, OR SOMEONE?

MR. PARRIS FAITHFULLY SETS DOWN EVERY WORD.

I NEVER THOUGHT TO SEE A SPECTER-- AN APPARITION-- USED AS EVIDENCE TO CONDEMN-- NOT BY ITSELF.

SPECTRAL EVIDENCE.

THESE GIRLS-- THEY UNNERVE ME.

THEY HOLD THAT THE DEVIL CANNOT TAKE THE SHAPE OF AN INNOCENT PERSON SO YOU CAN NEITHER BE CHRISTIAN NOR INNOCENT IF SATAN APPEARS IN YOUR SHAPE.

THIS KIND OF EVIDENCE IN THE WRONG HANDS CAN BE MISUSED.

MY MOTHER'S INDICTMENT IS PROOF.

WE MUST CIRCULATE A PETITION ON MY MOTHER'S BEHALF WORDED IN SUCH A WAY THAT PARRIS HIMSELF WOULD SIGN IT.

PLEASE... WE MUST DRAW ON THE STRENGTH OF YOUR INFLUENCE.

YES.

YES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO TESTING MY INFLUENCE AGAINST MY HALF-BROTHER'S.

I WILL SPEAK TO PETER AND SARAH ABOUT THIS, AS WELL.

BELIEVE ME, I MUST CONFESS I WAS AFRAID TO LOOK UP ABOVE REBECCA.

AFRAID... OF SEEING... A YELLOW BIRD MYSELF.

IN FIVE YEARS REBECCA WILL HAVE PAID OFF THE 300 ACRES SHE NOW RENTS RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THOMAS PUTNAM'S DOOR.

HER SONS WILL BECOME POWERFUL LANDOWNERS-- NEW VOTES ON THE VILLAGE COMMITTEE AGAINST THOMAS PUTNAM AND SAMUEL PARRIS.

SHE IS RIGHT, ISRAEL.

Sarah: REBECCA'S FAMILY ACQUIRED TOO MUCH TOQUICKLY.

SO SHE STANDS ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT.

BUT DID YOU NOT SEE AND HEAR THOSE AFFLICTED GIRLS?

WHO COULD CALL THEM LIARS?

THEY WERE BEING USED AS TOOLS-- IMPLEMENTS OF THE MOST VICIOUS VILLAGE POLITICS.

Peter: I VOTED AGAINST THOMAS PUTNAM.

AND MR. PARRIS.

WE BOTH DID.

THEN YOU FEAR FOR SARAH HERSELF?

Sarah: THINK OF YOUR DAUGHTER AND WIFE.

THEIR WOMEN ACCUSE OUR WOMEN.

THEY WOULDN'T DARE.

YOUR DAUGHTER'S MARRIED TO JOSEPH PUTNAM.

THEY WOULD DARE.

Woman: SARAH!

LYDIA, HANA... WE BOTH SIGNED THAT PETITION CIRCULATED BY YOUR HUSBAND AND YOUR NEPHEW ATTESTING TO REBECCA'S GOOD CHARACTER.

OH, BLESS YOU!

DID BOTH YOUR HUSBANDS SIGN IT AS WELL?

OH, YES.

THERE WERE NEARLY 30 NAMES ON IT-- MOSTLY FROM THIS PART OF THE VILLAGE.

@ IMPORTANT NAMES.

WILL IT HELP?

IT MUST.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAY TO GOD TO CHANGE THE EVENTS WHICH I FEAR WILL COME.

YOU'D BEST DO LIKEWISE.

COME WITH US TOMORROW TO THE MEETINGHOUSE.

CAN'T BEAR THE SIGHT OF IT.

I WILL PRAY IN TOPSFIELD.

DO COME, SARAH.

PERHAPS THE REVEREND MR. PARRIS WILLWHY WOULD HE WANT TO?

IF HE DOES SPEAK OF RECONCILIATION YOU'D DO WELL TO BE THERE.

PERHAPS... ( cough ) IN THIS PLACE...

IN THIS TINY HAMLET OF SALEM VILLAGE... A SCOURGE HAS SILENTLY AND MOST PROFOUNDLY FOUND ITS WAY IN.

SATAN IS AMONG US.

YOU CAN SMELL HIS FOULNESS.

YOU CAN HEAR HIS AGONY IN THE VOICES OF CHILDREN.

YOU CAN FEEL HIS VILE ESSENCE AS HE SLIPS FROM HOLLOW TO HOLLOW READY TO TOUCH ANYONE WHO IS WITHOUT FAITH OR SO INCLINED.

IT IS TO THIS, I NAME MY TEXT.

JOHN: CHAPTER SIX, VERSE 70.

"THEN SIMON PETER ANSWERED JESUS: "'LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

"'THOU HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE "'AND WE BELIEVE AND ARE SURE THAT THOU ART THAT CHRIST-- "THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.'

"AND JESUS ANSWERED THEM: "'HAVE NOT I CHOSEN YOU TWELVE AND ONE OF YOU IS A DEVIL?'"

THE LORD CHRIST KNOWS HOW MANY DEVILS THERE ARE HIS CHURCH... AND WHO THEY ARE.

( door slams ) ( screams ) GOODY CLOYCE!

( screams ) I DID NOT THINK TO SEE YOU HERE!

YOU RUN AWAY FROM SACRAMENT SUNDAY!

YOU SCORN TO RECEIVE IT.

WHY?!

( screams ) I COULD HAVE PREDICTED THOSE CRIES.

SATAN WAS INDEED AMONG US.

I DID HEAR HIS AGONY IN THEIR VOICES.

I KNEW THE TRUTH THEN.

I KNEW WHAT WOULD FOLLOW.

THERE WAS PART OF ME THAT WOULD WELCOME IT.

"THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR..." ( sound of galloping horse ) THE MEETINGHOUSE IS IN TURMOIL.

WHERE'S PETER?

Joseph: BEHIND US-- FIGHTING WITH ISRAEL.

IT WAS MADNESS WHEN WE LEFT.

Samuel: THE GIRLS HAVE NAMED YOU AS A WITCH.

THEY WILL SWEAR A WARRANT OUT FOR YOUR ARRREST ph: , E'SSTILTIME.

THEY CAN'T ISSUE A WARRANT ON THE SABBATH.

TIME FOR WHAT?

I KNOW OF AN ABANDONED MILL WHERE YOU WOULD BE SAFE.

I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MOTHER THERE.

WHAT SAY YOU IF I CHOOSE NOT TO FLEE?

Samuel: AND DO WHAT?

FIGHT THEM.

FIGHT THEM?!

STAND UP TO THEM.

SHOW THE WORLD THEY'RE LYING.

YOU ARE BUT ONE WOMAN!

YES, ONE WOMAN, BUT ONE OF THE LIKE THEY'VE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

I SHALL EXPOSE THEM!

YOU WILL FOLLOW MOTHER.

YES, BUT I'LL BE HEARD, ALL THE SAME.

THERE IS STILL NO CHARTER OF LAWS.

YOU COULD ROT IN SALEM JAIL!

I'LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY.

MY FLEEING WILL TEMPER THEIR WORDS AGAINST US.

IT WILL PROVE THEIR ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ME AND REBECCA.

AUNT SARAH, PLEASE... YOU CANNOT FIGHT THEM.

IT'S NOW OUT OF HAND!

HOW MANY MORE WILL THEY NAME?!

YOU WILL BE SACRIFICED IN VAIN.

NOT IN VAIN NOR ALONE!

I'M A CHRISTIAN WOMAN... A TEMPLE OF GOD.

THIS MINISTER, THIS MR. PARRIS, USES THE SCRIPTURES TO SERVE HIS OWN PURPOSE.

SO SHALL I USE THE WORD OF GOD AS MY DEFENSE.

IT'S HERE.

IT IS HERE.

PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS: "KNOW YE NOT THAT YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD "AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU?

"IF "HIM SHALL@@@@@@ GOD DESTROY.

"FOR THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS HOLY WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE!"

Samuel: THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU.

IT IS NOT "THEY" I SPEAK TO.

I'LL NOT FLEE THESE BLACKHEARTS.

I'LL CHALLENGE THEM WITH THE FORCE OF MY CONVICTIONS, AND REBECCA'S AND THIS GOOD BOOK.

REBECCA SAID, "WE'RE AS CLEAR AS THE CHILD UNBORN.

LET THEM COME!"

LET THEM COME.

LET THEM!

I WAS ARRESTED ON THE 10th OF APRIL AND THUS BEGAN MY ORDEAL.

WHAT IS IT WE LOOK FOR?

DEVIL'S MARKS-- A WART OR A THIRD NIPPLE WHERE THE DEVIL OR HIS FAMILIARS WILL DRINK HER BLOOD TO FEED ON HER SOUL.

ANY MARK?

YES.

NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR MEANINGLESS.

THE WITCH'S TIT COULD BE ANYWHERE SO LEAVE NO PLACE UNSEARCHED.

NOTHING.

( horse whinnies ) ( general conversation ) ( whisper: ) THERE SHE IS!

THIS IS NOT A TRIAL.

IT IS AN EXAMINATION...

I'M FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SPEECH.

READ THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS PERSON, MR. CORWIN.

IT IS SO CHARGED THAT SARAH CLOYCE UPON THE FOURTH DAY OF APRIL IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1692 HATH USED AND PRACTICED CERTAIN DETESTABLE ARTS CALLED WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY UPON THE TORMENTED BODIES OF ONE ABIGAIL WILLIAMS AND ONE MERCY LEWIS IN THE PLACE OF SALEM VILLAGE.

I ADVISED PETER NOT TO COME.

IT IS NOT SAFE FOR YOU EITHER, SAMUEL.

HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

INNOCENT.

INNOCENT AS THE CHILD UNBORN.

THEN YOU'D BEST BE PREPAREDVI MY PROOF IS WHO I AM.

I'M A CHRISTIAN WOMAN.

FIRST CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER THREE, VERSE 16: "KNOW YE NOT THAT YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD "AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU?

"IF ANY MAN DEFILE THE TEMPLE OF GOD "HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY.

FOR THE TEMPLE OF GOD IS HOLY, WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE."

WHO SPEAKS AGAINST THIS WOMAN?

Hathorne: ABIGAIL WILLIAMS-- YOU ACCUSED THIS WOMAN.

WHAT SAY YOU?

Man: I CHARGE, YOUR HONORS.

AND WHO ARE YOU?

JOHN INDIAN, SLAVE MAN TO MR. SAMUEL PARRIS.

SPEAK THEN.

I WAS HURT.

WHO HURT YOU?

GOODY CLOYCE...

THERE.

SHE CHOKED ME, AND BROUGHT THE BOOK-- THE DEVIL BOOK.

SHE BIT ME TILL THE BLOOD CAME.

WHEN DID I HURT YOU?

A GREAT MANY TIMES.

YOU ARE A MOST GRIEVOUS LIAR!

GOODY CLOYCE ATTACKED US WITH A KNIFE.

SEE...

IT BROKE.

THAT IS A PIECE OF MY KNIFE.

I BROKE IT YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS USING IT.

GIVE ME THE BROKEN PIECE.

YOU THERE... MINISTER!

NOW NAME YOUR TEXT!

( screaming ) I'M BEING CHOKED!

OH!

GO AWAY!

DO NOT HURT ME SO!

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, WHO TORMENTS YOU?

GOODY CLOYCE.

SHE BITES ME.

OH, SHE PUNCHES ME, OH!

( screams ) SEE THE BIRD?

SEE THE YELLOW BIRD ABOVE HER HEAD?!

( screams ) ( screaming ) ( commotion ) SHE BITES ME!

SHE BITES ME!

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS-- DID YOU SEE A COMPANY OF WITCHES AT MR. PARRIS'S HOUSE, EATING AND DRINKING?

YES, AND GOODY CLOYCE AND GOODY NURSE WERE THEIR DEACONS.

THEY WERE DRINKING OUR BLOOD.

THAT'S A LIE.

( screams ) NO!

NO!

I AM FAINT.

CAN I SIT DOWN?

( Abigail screaming ) PLEASE, CAN I HAVE SOME WATER?

OBSERVE, THE AFFLICTED CHILD IS CURED.

TOMFOOLERY.

Corwin: THIS IS A TEST OF GUILT OF SORCERY.

WHEN AN AF BY A WITCH THE DIABOLIC FLUID PASSES BACK INTO THE WITCH'S BODY.

NONSENSE!

THE CHILD IS PLAYACTING!

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS WAS PURGED OF HER AFFLICTION SARAH TO(CH.

Hathorne: HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

FROM TEXT.

PSALM 120, VERSE TWO: "DELIVER MY SOUL, O LORD "FROM LYING LIPS AND FROM A DECEITFUL TONGUE."

( commotion ) YOU USE THE SCRIPTURE TO HIDE ALLEGIANCE TO SATAN.

Y WOULD SATAN USE THE HOLY SCRIPTURE?

YOU ARE CLEVER...

CLEVER AS THE DEVIL HIMSELF!

I AM A CHRISTIAN WOMAN-- A TEMPLE OF GOD.

IF SATAN BE IN SALEM VILLAGE IT IS ONLY TO MAKE SURE THIS MADNESS GOES ON.

YOU ADMIT THAT SATAN IS HERE?

OH, YES, HE'S HERE.

BE CERTAIN OF IT.

ONLY THE ACCUSED ARE HIS VICTIMS NOT THE AFFLICTED.

WILL YOU HAVE US BELIEVE THAT THE AFFLICTED ARE NOT TRULY TORMENTED?

Sarah: THEY POSSESS THEMSELVES... AS MAIDENS.

IT'S NOT SATAN'S WORK-- ONLY THE WORK OF THE MISGUIDED.

AND THOSE WHO USE THEM FOR THEIR REVENGE!

( commotion ) THEY SEEMED TO BE SWAYED TO HER.

IF SHE CLEARS HERSELF, IT COULD ALL END HERE.

Hathorne: THERE IS ONE FINAL TEST OF YOUR GUILT OR INNOCENCE.

YOU WILL REPEAT THE LORD'S PRAYER...

WITHOUT ERROR.

WHAT?

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

IT IS KNOWN THAT NO ONE POSSESSED BY SATAN CAN REPEAT IT WITHOUT MAKING AN ERROR.

THE DEVIL WILL NOT ALLOW IT.

WHAT NONSENSE!

YOU REFUSE?

YOU, A CHRISTIAN WOMAN?

"OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN "HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

"THY KINGDOM COME.

"THY WILL BE DONE "IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

"GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.

"AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS "AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.

"AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION "BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

"FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM "AND THE POWER "AND THE GLORY "FOREVER.

AMEN."

THERE!

BE YOU SATISFIED?

( Ann Putnam screams ) DO YOU NOT SEE?

A BLACK MAN WHISPERED IN HER EAR.

LOOK!

HE IS THERE!

( screaming ) GO AWAY!

DON'T TOUCH ME!

LEAVE ME ALONE!

I WON'T... OH!

YOU WITCH!

SHE IS A WITCH!

WITCH!

LIARS ALL!

TAKE HER AWAY.

SHE GOES TO TAL.

GODS KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE, HATHORNE... AND WILL DENY YOU ETERNAL REST!

THERE@IS NO STOPPING IT NOW.

WE HAD BEST LEAVE AND GATHER FORCES QUICKLY.

REBECCA?

OH, SARAH.

OH, SARAH.

YOU, TOO.

I COU LEAVE YOU.

WHO'S THIS?

LITTLE DORCY... DORCY GOODE.

HER MOTHER IS THERE-- HEAVY WITH CHILD.

IT SHOULD COME ANY DAY NOW.

SHE'S PAST DUE.

SHE WAS THE FIRST TO BE ACCUSED.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

MERCIFUL GOD.

HER MOTHER AND SARAH OSBORNE WERE BROUGHT IN TOGETHER.

SHE LIES OVER THERE DESPERATELY ILL.

I FEAR FOR HER HEALTH.

SHE BARELY MOVES.

TO THINK WE PLAYED TOGETHER AS CHILDREN OURSELVES.

AND WHAT OF YOUR HEALTH?

GOD IS WITH ME.

HE BROUGHT ME A LITTLE ANGEL.

WE GIVE EACH OTHER STRENGTH DO WE NOT, CHILD?

DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED.

THIS IS MY SISTER... MY SISTER... OH... REBECCA.

OH, REBECCA.

LET US GO OVER TO THE FAR CORNER.

I CANNOT.

Sarah: YOUR LEGS!

I CANNOT BEND THEM.

DO TRUST ME.

I AM WELL WHERE I REST.

I AM WELL.

HANA!

HANA!

WHAT ARE THEY DOING PLYING STONES ON GILES CORY.

Joseph: IT HAS BEEN THREE DAYS.

Sarah: CORY'S ONLY CRIME WAS THAT HE REFUSED TO ENTER A PLEA OF GUILTY OR INNOCENT.

THERE COULD BE NO TRIAL WITHOUT A PLEA.

HE DEFIED THEM WITH HIS LIFE.

@ LET IT BE, SAMUEL.

@@@@ YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS HERE.

YOU MUST STOP THIS.

MUST I?

( Cory groans ) YOUR PLEA... IS IT ON YOUR LIPS?

( Cory groans ) WHAT?

WHAT SAY YOU?

MORE...

WEIGHT.

( groans ) YOU, TITUBA...

YOUR HUSBAND, JOHN INDIAN ACCUSED ME OF WITCHCRAFT.

HE'S NOT MY HUSBAND.

AND I AM NO WITCH.

ARE YOU WHAT YOU CLAIM TO BE?

I AM A SLAVE.

YOU CONFESSED.

I WAS BEATEN FOR SAYING I BE NO WITCH-- BEATEN SO BAD.

LOOK.

BUT WHEN I SAY I BE A WITCH THEY STOP.

THEY WERE AFRAID TO BEAT ME AGAIN.

DID YOUR MASTER DO THIS?

HIM... AND THE OTHERS.

SO, NOW I AM A WITCH.

THEY LISTEN TO ME WITH FEAR.

I MAKE THEM LISTEN.

IT'S A LIE.

WHAT IS A LIE TO A SLAVE?

IF THEY TELL YOU A LIE BE TRUTH THEN IT BE TRUTH.

SO I AM A WITCH.

YOU COULD HAVE EXPOSED THEM.

YOU COULD HAVE MADE THEM LISTEN TO THE TRUTH.

I WEAR THE TRUTH ON MY BACK.

YOU ARE NOT A SLAVE; YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

A LIE WILL NOT MAKE YOU FREE.

FREE, ME?

FROM WHAT TO WHAT?

I AM ALIVE... THAT IS WHAT I KNOW HOW TO DO.

YOU ASK YOURSELF, WHERE IS JOHN INDIAN AND WHERE ARE YOU?

Sarah Goode: LISTEN.

SHE IS NO FOOL.

I WAS NEARLY HANGED WHEN I ACCUSED THE AFFLICTED OF BEING WITCHES THEMSELVES.

Sarah Goode: AND WHAT DO THEY SAY?

MY CHILD THERE-- DORCY.

THEY SAID SHE WAS THE DEVIL'S FAMILIAR; THAT SHE TURNS INTO A DOG AND FOAMS AT THE MOUTH.

LITTLE DORCY...

THEY ARE CURSED SCUM, LIARS... ( cries out ) HERE.

ARE THE PAINS COMING OFTEN?

MY SECOND HUSBAND RAN OFF.

WE LIVED IN SHEDS AND OTHER PEOPLE'S CELLARS.

ONCE WE WERE LIKE THEM THAT'S GOT.

BETTER, IN FACT.

WHAT WAS OUR CRIME BUT TO FALL FROM GRACE?

CALM YOURSELF.

THINK OF YOUR CONDITION.

WHAT WILL BECOME OF MY CHILDREN?

WHO WILL COMFORT THEM?

WHO WILL MOTHER THEM AFTER I'M HANGED?

I TOLD THE JUDGES TO BURN IN HELL.

WE ARE NOT ONE OF THEM.

AND BECAUSE OF IT, WE ARE DOOMED.

NOT DOOMED... NEVER DOOMED.

WHEN OUR TRIALS COME, WE WILL HANG BECAUSE WE DENY THEIR SUPERSTITIONS-- ALL OF US, EXCEPT THE SLAVE.

ONLY SHE CONFESSES.

SHE WILL REPENT BEFORE GOD AND PROVE THEIR POWER OVER SATAN.

SHE WILL LIVE.

WOULD YOU SAVE YOURSELF LIKEWISE?

NO.

NOT MYSELF.

IT IS TOO LATE FOR ME.

I SWORE MY INNOCENCE AND I WILL NOT NOW GIVE THEM SATISFACTION.

I HAVE NOTHING LEFT BUT MY SOUL AND THEY SHALL NOT HAVE IT.

BESIDES, I BE NO WITCH.

YES, I WILL LIVE.

I WILL SURVIVE THEM.

OH!

I BREACH!

Sarah: GUARD!

GUARD, COME QUICKLY!

DORCY!

DORCY!

COME HERE, CHILD.

LISTEN TO YOUR MAMA.

IF THEY TAKE ME AWAY IF I DON'T COME BACK YOU TELL THEM... TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE A WITCH.

AND THAT YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A WITCH.

CAN YOU SAY THAT?

SHE CANNOT!

SHE MUST!

SHE WILL SURVIVE!

SHE'S ONLY A BABY!

I WILL NOT GIVE THEM MY BABY!

YOUR MAMA IS A WITCH, AND SO ARE YOU.

TELL THEM IT IS SO.

Sergeant: TAKE HER TO THE BACK CHAMBER.

CALL THE MIDWIFE FOR THE WITCH.

PROMISE ME, CHILD.

PROMISE ME!

Sarah: NO, SARAH-- SHE CANNOT, FOR HER SOUL!

Sarah Goode: MY BABY WILL NOT HANG!

Dorcy: MAMA!

Sarah Goode: MY BABY!

Tituba: THE CHILD IS A WITCH LIKE YOUR MOTHER AND LIKE TITUBA.

Sarah: NO!

AS A WITCH THEY WILL LET HER LIVE.

Sergeant: THIS ONE'S DEAD.

Rebecca: SARAH, WHERE ARE YOU?

DORCY GOODE WAS ONLY FOUR...

SO FRAGILE, SO EASILY BRUISED... HOW IT HURTS TO REMEMBER.

ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE FIRST ACCUSED WERE THOSE NO ONE CARED ABOUT... EXPENDABLE.

ALL MAINTAINED THEIR INNOCENCY TO THE END.

SArahvON AF(E$ TITUS@ATINFESSED... SHE@K ESCAPE OK U$ A(S... ONLY PROFESSED INNOCENTS AND CHRISTIANS WERE HANGED.

NO CONFESSED WITCH OR PERSON OF HIGH STATION WAS EVER HANGED... NONE!

TITUBA WAS OF THE LOWEST STATUS SO SHE CONFESSED.

WHY DID ALL OTHERS NOT USE THIS DEVICE?

SOME DID.

BUT NO TRUE CHRISTIAN WOULD EVER CLAIM ALLEGIANCE TO SATAN.

WHY WOULD THEY SAVE THEIR LIVES ONLY TO LOSE THEIR SOULS?

Sarah: TITUBA WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN.

SHE WAS A CONFESSED WITCH.

SO SHE SURVIVED.

WHAT OF THIS ANN PUTNAM?

LEM@VIL IF (HERWA' AEVIL'S MILS@MOSTCU.

IT WAS ANN PUTNAM.

SHE WAS THE AFFLICTED ADULT IN THE COMPANY OF CHILDREN.

Sarah: SHE GAVE NAMES TO THE AFFLICTED.

BU'E@E$E@M Y FAVORABLE TO SAMUEL PARRIS'S CAUSE.

IF THEY WERE NO LONGER THERE TO OPPOSE...

THEY WERE NAMES THAT COULD SERVE AS REVENGE AGAINST PAST ENEMIES OF HER HUSBAND.

I MUST WARN YOU, GOODY CLOYCE THAT YOU'RE MOVING CLOSE TO BEING SLANDEROUS.

I ADVISE YOU NOT TO TREAD IN AREAS ILL-SUITED TO YOUR DEFENSE.

THESE STATEMENTS MUST HAVE PROOF.

AND YOU SHALL HAVE IT...

YOUR HONOR.

I'LL GIVE YOU MORE THAN "SPECTRAL" EVIDENCE.

THEY USED SPECTERS AND INTANGIBLES AS THE ONLY EVIDENCE AGAINST US.

MY SISTERS WERE TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD ON SPECTRAL EVIDENCE... ALONE!

PRAY, CONTINUE... Sarah: IN SALEM JAIL NEWLY ACCUSED NEIGHBORS WERE COMING ALMOST DAILY.

WE WOULD HAVE JOYOUSLY WELCOM THE COLD BITE OF THE DAMP SEA AIR AT STOLE THE HEAT FROM OUR BODIES ONLY TO LEAVE AN ACHING IN OUR BONES.

Rebecca: WHAT IS IT YOU DO?

Man: NEW GOVERNOR'S EDICT.

PRISONERS WILL BE KEPT IN IRONS.

Sarah: WHY?

QUIET!

Sergeant: NO ONE TALKS OR THEY SHALL BE LASHED.

LISTEN CLOSELY: "IN THE NAME OF WILLIAM PHIPS "GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS "EVERY PRISONER ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT "WILL BE BOUND HAND AND FOOT "TO EASE THE TORMENT OF THE AFFLICTED.

"THEY SHALL REMAIN IN SUCH A CONDITION UNTIL THEIR TRIALS "WHICH ARE TO BE SET AND DETERMINED BY A SPECIAL COURT.

"THE COURT SHALL DECIDE THE FATE OF THE ACCUSED "IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR PEERS.

"SO IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY WILLIAM PHIPS AND THE KING AND QUEEN OF ENGLAND."

( crying ) LET US BE GONE.

BETTY PARRIS, THE MINISTER'S YOUNG DAUGHTER, WAS SENT AWAY TO LIVE WITH KIN.

SHE SOON RECOVERED FULLY FROM HER REAL OR IMAGINED TORMENT.

ONE MUST WONDER WHY THE GOOD MINISTER CHOSE NOT TO SEND HIS NIECE, ABIGAIL, AS WELL.