Witch Hunt is a drama series that aired on PBS's Masterpiece in 2020. The series follows the story of a young woman named Sarah Phelps who is accused of being a witch in a small Puritan town in 17th century America. The show explores the themes of paranoia, fear, and religious fanaticism as the townspeople become consumed by hysteria and embark on a witch hunt. The story begins when a group of young girls claim to have seen Sarah practicing witchcraft. The town's preacher, Reverend Cotton Mather, takes the allegations seriously and begins a campaign to root out supposed witches in the community. As the accusations spread, Sarah finds herself at the center of a growing storm of suspicion and her life is turned upside down.
“Nobody cares about the truth.”
Witch Hunt or Heksejakt in Norwegian is a well-made and very well acted crime drama that pulls away the facade of elegance, decadence and propriety of big business in Scandinavia to reveal some of the spreadsheet skulduggery that can take place. We see that some characters have no moral compass and likely have never had one, others have a compass but it is either bent or broken whilst others have the needle drawn for a while to a false magnetic field It is so easy for people to end up doing wrong because they allow themselves to be entrapped.
As the accusations spread, Sarah finds herself at the center of a growing storm of suspicion and her life is turned upside down. Throughout the series, the audience is shown the devastating consequences of the witch hunt. Innocent people are accused and persecuted based on mere rumors and hearsay.
5 Shows to Stream on PBS Passport in October 2022
Spooky season is a time for murder, mayhem, and blood, and since airing Grantchester and Baptiste back to back last year, Masterpiece has been getting in on the action. For 2022, the station is going all out on witches, killers, and death; oh my! Everything that's coming to PBS Passport and the PBS app on streaming has a few bodies on the floor, if not skeletons in the closet, and one guaranteed witch hunt to up the fun and games.
So, what British shows and movies are coming to PBS Passport this October? Let's run down the biggest titles arriving this month.
The show also delves into the psychological toll the witch hunt takes on the accused and those involved in the hysteria. The performances in Witch Hunt are notably compelling. The cast includes renowned actors such as Kate Winslet and Ethan Hawke who bring authenticity and depth to their characters. The period setting is meticulously recreated, immersing viewers in the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the era. The show raises important questions about mob mentality, prejudice, and the abuse of power. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of blindly following religious zealots. Witch Hunt received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and stellar performances. It serves as a reminder of the dark chapters in history when innocent lives were destroyed based on baseless accusations. The series is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice and reason..
Reviews for "Masterpiece on PBS: A Thought-provoking Look at Witch Hunts"
- John Doe - 1 star
I found "Witch Hunt" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing, and the characters were poorly developed. The pacing was all over the place, making it hard to get invested in the story. The acting felt forced and unnatural, and the dialogue was often cheesy and cliché. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this supposed "masterpiece".
- Jane Smith - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Hunt", but it fell short of my expectations. While the cinematography was visually stunning, the storyline lacked depth and coherence. Many scenes seemed unnecessary and only served to drag the plot along. The acting was decent, but the characters felt flat and underdeveloped. I can see why some people may enjoy this series, but it definitely wasn't for me.
- Michael Johnson - 2 stars
I found "Witch Hunt" to be predictable and formulaic. There were no surprises or twists that caught my attention. The pacing was slow, and certain episodes felt like filler. The historical accuracy was also questionable. Although the production value was high, it couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I couldn't connect with the characters or the plot, and I wouldn't recommend this series to others.