The PBS Masterpiece series "Witch Hunt" is a gripping and thought-provoking drama that delves into the dark and unsettling world of the Salem witch trials. Set in the 17th-century Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts, the series explores the mass hysteria, paranoia, and unjust persecution that occurred during this infamous period in history. The show follows an ensemble cast of characters, ranging from accused witches to religious leaders and townspeople, all grappling with their own inner demons and conflicting beliefs. The central narrative revolves around a group of teenage girls who mysteriously fall into fits and accuse various citizens of witchcraft. As the accusations spiral out of control, the town becomes divided, with lives and reputations hanging in the balance. What makes "Witch Hunt" so compelling is its stark depiction of the power dynamics and systemic injustices that fueled the witch trials.
What makes "Witch Hunt" so compelling is its stark depiction of the power dynamics and systemic injustices that fueled the witch trials. The show does not shy away from exploring the underlying misogyny, political rivalries, and religious fanaticism that played a role in the mass hysteria. It raises profound questions about the nature of human fear, vulnerability, and the dangers of groupthink.
Norwegian crime show Witch Hunt comes to Walter Presents
This October, Channel 4 and Walter Presents will be welcoming you to settle in and enjoy the intrigue offered by Witch Hunt, an award-winning corporate crime drama from Norway. The programme originally aired in its homeland last year, but from the revised time of midnight on Monday 15 November, you’ll be able to watch it on Channel 4 in the UK, or stream the box set on Walter Presents.
The key figure in the story is Ida Waage, played by Ingrid Bolsø Berdal. She’s the chief financial officer in a successful Oslo law firm called Biermann and Gude. Ida is a by-the-book operator, and the firm’s senior partners are principled enough to recognise that something shifty is going on when a witness in a case against one of their clients goes missing.
Ida’s problems begin when an invoice from an untraceable consultancy lands on her desk. It’s for €450,000, so it’s not peanuts. She asks Jan Gunnar Askeland (Preben Hodneland), the litigator who works on the Peer Eggen account, to supply the supporting paperwork. At first he’s evasive, then aggressive, then apologetic, but eventually he waves a document in front of her which seems enough to sign off the invoice.
Ida’s career is on the line but she can’t turn a blind eye to financial crime.Still, things don’t add up. When Ida talks to a junior solicitor on the account, he doesn’t know anything about the company being paid on behalf of the client, Peer Eggen. She begins to suspect that her normally respectable firm is laundering money for Eggen and that Jan Gunnar is the bad apple. It would certainly appear to be so. We see Jan Gunnar try to force himself onto another woman lawyer at a company function, and he has various threats to throw at Ida. After all, she has signed off the first invoice and is therefore complicit in the money laundering.
But there is a wider backdrop of events taking place. Peer Eggen is the client who has just had a fraud case against him dropped because a witness failed to testify, and an Oslo fraud cop called Eirik Bråthen (Fridtjov Såheim) knows in his bones that Eggen has been breaking the law. The justice minister Katinka Bakke Nilsen (Janne Heltberg) wants to introduce legislation giving the government more insight into the financial dealings of Norway’s big companies. And journalist Aida Salim (Sara Khorami) is digging for stories on Eggen.
Jan Gunnar and Birgitte. He’s losing his grip.We know from the the very first scenes of episode one that Jan Gunnar is in Eggen’s pocket, and that Eggen has plans to purchase the state energy company through a deal that might not be strictly legal.
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. Ingrid Bolsø Berdal won best actress at Norway’s Golden Screen awards for her role as Ida and it’s easy to see why. There are good performances across the cast.
As the series progresses, Ida’s compromised position means she has tough choices to make. The same goes for some of the other characters, who feel under pressure to keep their jobs while at the same time wanting to do the right thing. Of course, the moral choices and sacrifices made by a whistleblower aren’t quite as gripping or terrifying as you’d get, for example, with a serial killer story. However, as the series progresses we move from highly irritating corporate crime to bigger things – including murder. We’d be interested to know your thoughts in the comments below.
Witch Hunt comprises eight, 45-minute episodes. It’s a while since we’ve seen a Norwegian corporate crime show – try Acquitted from a few years back. The Danish programme Follow the Money is also an excellent example of financial crime that turns deadly. We’ll never forget the hitman dubbed The Swede, for example.
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The performances in "Witch Hunt" are stellar, with each actor bringing depth and complexity to their characters. The series excels at portraying the psychological torment and moral dilemmas faced by both the accusers and the accused. Viewers are left questioning who to believe and where the line between truth and deception truly lies. Visually, "Witch Hunt" captures the bleakness and claustrophobia of Puritan society, immersing viewers in a world of dimly lit interiors and austere costumes. The atmospheric cinematography adds to the tension and unease, underscoring the paranoia and fear gripping the town. While the Salem witch trials took place centuries ago, the themes explored in "Witch Hunt" are startlingly relevant today. The series serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of mob mentality, prejudice, and the scapegoating of those perceived as different or threatening. In conclusion, "Witch Hunt" is a compelling and haunting series that shines a light on one of history's darkest chapters. Its exploration of the Salem witch trials is both a gripping historical drama and a reflection on the human capacity for fear and injustice. Through its powerful performances, atmospheric visuals, and thought-provoking narrative, "Witch Hunt" captivates viewers and prompts them to ponder the timeless lessons of this tragic period..
Reviews for "The Lessons Learned and Forgotten in Witch Hunt on PBS Masterpiece"
1. Jane - 1/5 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Witch hunt pbs masterpiece". The storyline was confusing and it felt like the show was trying to tackle too many themes at once without any clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The pacing was incredibly slow and it felt like nothing significant was happening for the majority of the series. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Witch hunt pbs masterpiece" to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted show.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars -
I had high hopes for "Witch hunt pbs masterpiece" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The acting was mediocre at best, with most of the cast delivering wooden performances. The plot was convoluted and lacked cohesiveness, leaving me confused and disengaged throughout the entire series. The show also had pacing issues, with certain episodes dragging on while others felt rushed. While the concept had potential, the execution was lacking, making it difficult for me to fully invest in the story.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars -
"Witch hunt pbs masterpiece" was a major letdown for me. The dialogue was poorly written and felt forced, making it hard to take the characters and their interactions seriously. The show also suffered from inconsistent storytelling, often introducing intriguing plot lines only to abandon them without resolution. Additionally, the costumes and set designs left much to be desired, lacking the attention to detail that one would expect from a period piece. Overall, I found "Witch hunt pbs masterpiece" to be a subpar series that failed to live up to its potential.