Editorial Review:Description:This is a true story. Nineteen people were hanged and one old man pressed to death, while hundreds of others suffered in jail cells during the 'witch hysteria' of 1692.
Three Sovereigns for Sarah is the most accurate portrayal yet. Each character you will see actually existed, actually spoke many of the words you will hear. Original transcripts of the trials are woven into the dialogue. All of the costumes, locations, buildings and props offer a rare, authentic glimpse of the late 1600's in America. Each viewing will reveal something new, never before seen. Most important, it is a powerful and moving story about three loving sisters who are accused of witchcraft. Academy Award winners Vanessa Redgrave, Kim Hunter and Phyllis Thaxter portray those sisters. The youngest, Sarah Cloyce (Vanessa Redgrave), tried to clear her sisters' names. In real life Sarah died thinking she had failed--but did she?
Amazon.com:This dramatization of a true story deals with one of the most troubling episodes in early American history, the 'witch hysteria' that convulsed the village of Salem, Massachusetts, in the 1690s. Noted actress Vanessa Redgrave plays Sarah Cloyce, who years later, is seeking to clear the names of her sisters who were executed as witches. The historical basis for this drama is the fact that early in the 1700s the colonial government offered to pay reparations to the survivors of those who had been killed, but only if their relatives could somehow prove that the deceased were not in fact witches. Redgrave's character, in telling the story of her sisters' tragedy, shows the difficulties face by the accused, who really had no way to defend themselves against accusations that were, by definition, supernatural. Using actual transcripts of some of the trials as the basis for the dialogue, the production sacrifices some dramatic flair while striving to remain historically accurate, yet seeing how the peculiar madness of the witch hunt developed over time remains fascinating. Redgrave's performance, as might be expected, stands out, and she does a fine job of portraying how literally earthly concerns--paltry disputes over land ownership--eventually snowballed into a frenzy that saw 20 people executed and scores of others jailed on suspicion of witchcraft.
--Robert J. McNamara
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The compelling story of three devout sisters from the Salem Witch Trials
"Three Sovereigns for Sarah" [1985] was part of the American Playhouse series, an anthology television series periodically broadcast by PBS. I have watched most dramatizations of the Salem Witch Trials, be it the History channel's docudrama about the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible [based on Arthur Miller's work], and more recently Salem Witch Trials [2003 CBS mini-series]. Three Sovereigns for Sarah stands as a gripping reenactment of the tragic events that unfolded in Salem village in 1692 and tells the compelling story of the victims, focusing on three sisters accused of witchcraft.
The main star of this production is Vanessa Redgrave who plays Sarah Cloyce, one of the three accused sisters during the Salem Witch Trials. It's been 10 years since the tragic events of 1692 in which 20 innocent people were put to death for witchcraft [19 hanged, one pressed to death]. Sarah is aging and frail in health and is accompanied by her nephew Samuel Nurse [whose mother Rebecca Nurse was one of those hanged] and goes to Boston to see the English magistrates [who are representing the Queen] and seeking vindication for her and her sisters. Sarah tells the magistrates her story in the hopes that they will be convinced of her and her sisters' innocence.
Sarah takes them all via flashback to the year 1692 when all the troubles began - in the Reverend Parris' household [minister of Salem Village] whose house slave Tituba [Sylvia Ann Soares] passes idle time by indulging young Abigail Williams [Parris' niece] and Bette Parris in dangerous pursuits such as palm-reading and crystal gazing. Not long after a couple of the other village girls begin to attend Tituba's sessions such as Ann Putnam Jr whose mother Ann Putnam Sr is an embittered woman who manipulates her own child for her and her husband's advancement in the community.
Eventually, the girls start accusing townspeople of witchcraft, including Sarah Cloyce's devout sister, the aging and ailing Rebecca Nurse [Phyllis Thaxter]. Soon after, Sarah herself is accused followed by her other sister Mary [Maria Todd]. As the beginning of the story already mentions the fact that both of Sarah's sisters are found guilty and hanged, the rest of the story focuses on Sarah's retelling of the events, with the aim of convincing the magistrates of her and her sisters' innocence.
I liked this production particularly for its historical accuracy. Actual transcripts of the trials were used in the production which added to its' authenticity. What elevated the show for me though was Vanessa Redgrave's compelling portrayal of the wronged and anguished Sarah Cloyce. Be it in her narration of the events [her voice manages to evoke all the pain and horror of the times] or in her acting, she is truly magnificent and ably carries the production. The other adult actors did a credible job too, especially Shay Duffin as Judge Hathorne, the only judge who never repented of his actions and who also happens to be the ancestor of author Nathaniel Hawthorne [of Scarlet Letter and House of the Seven Gables].
The child actors though left much to be desired. I felt they were not very convincing in their roles as the 'afflicted' victims of witchcraft and more annoying than menacing in their expressions of malice.
The production values seemed rather cheap compared to the 2003 CBS mini-series which is to be expected, but what truly annoyed me was the background music. The banging drums in particular seemed really out of place and were played at the most inopportune times.
But those small gripes aside, Vanessa Redgrave's narration and acting truly makes this production a must-see, and it's historical accuracy makes Three Sovereigns for Sarah a compelling and authentic retelling of the Salem Witch Trials. Highly recommended!
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Salem: A Lesson We Still Need To Learn
Three Sovereigns for Sarah is, without doubt, the best dramatic presentation of the horrific events of 1692. Without melodrama and remaining true to history this captivating DVD shows how politics mixed with fear leads to persecution and the public sanction of the suspension of civil rights. A poignant message and warning.
"Yes, the devil is here, have no doubt. But it is those accused that are his victims." (Paraphrasing Sarah Good - victim of the Salem Witch Trials)
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Three Sovereigns For Sarah
This is a true story of a most astounding woman that survived the Salem
witch trials. You learn the truth as to why people mainly women were hanged
as witches. It's an old tale that rings true today.
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Three Sovereigns for Sarah is an excellent film
I have watched Three Sovereigns for Sarah because Vanessa Redgrave one of my favorite actress is in it. I also was curious about the Salem Witch Trials. The only thing I knew about it was from the play The Crucible. The film was very realistic and it really showed the victims as people and the impact their executions had on their families. This movie is an excellent case why religion and the law do not mix and should be kept seperate and also how bad blood and land disputes can escalate into an unimaginable horror. I think the film really showed how the adults instead of stopping the children helped encourage them for their own gain and feed into what they were doing. Sarah Cloyce played by Vanessa Redgrave was an amazing, courageous woman. She fought for her sisters, and herself, and did not back down. I thought what she did in clearing her sisters name was so courageous and moving. Through it all she never sunk to the accuser's level and showed such courage- that to me really stood out. So, I would recommend this movie to anyone for the excellent acting and for the lessons it teaches us. But fair warning it is graphic in that they show the victims being executed and one man that is pressed to death.
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"3 Sovereigns" way beyond 5 star entertainment! A MUST-SEE!
Lord,have mercy on us all!!
This film came recommended by a friend and I am writing this review angry,incensed,upset,sad and still in disbelief at what I just saw in American Playhouse's PBS DVD release of the 1985 "Three Sovereigns for Sarah." Not only is this story totally true,based from the original transcripts of the horrific Salem Witch Trials of 1692,but the acting done by legends Vanessa Redgrave,Kim Hunter and Phyllis Thatcher as the three accused sisters, is one of the most impressive bits of female ensemble acting I have ever seen!
If you are familiar with the famous play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller concerning the havoc that little girls played in 1692 Salem,Massachusetts that resulted in the senseless and unjust death of twenty people accused of witchcraft, then this story will feel quite uncomfortably familiar.I say uncomfortably because Miller's work,though extremely compelling and was made into a successful film,The Crucible starring Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood),was historical fiction."Three Sovereigns" IS NOT! You will be accurately transported to 1692 Salem and you will see and hear the accused and their accusers in a way that Miller could only hint at.
I would love right now to type a ton of SPOILERS, but I won't.I must say, that anyone who feels that religion and politics should be mingled,I would challenge them to view this film to see WHY the two don't mix, no matter HOW strong your belief system is."Three Sovereigns for Sarah" shows us the terrible plight of people living in a Theocratic Rule in Colonial America as Massachusetts was in 1692.This film is not without hope, though, and certain restitutions eventually are made.RENT THIS,BUY THIS,BORROW THIS or STEAL IT (no not really!) in order to see this.
I would also suggest viewing the 2006 documentary Jesus Camp and Deliver Us from Evil to see other films that will boil your blood.Ugh-I'm spent!