The witch is a commonly known figure in New England folktales. These tales depict witches as mysterious and powerful individuals who practice dark arts and cast spells. They are said to have the ability to shapeshift, fly on broomsticks, and communicate with spirits. The witch is often portrayed as an old woman with a crooked nose, warts, and a black pointed hat. One famous New England folktale is that of the Salem witch trials. In 1692, a series of witchcraft accusations and trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts.
Overall, the historical aspects of this film may be considered historically accurate. In broad terms, it highlights many of the major, commonly known themes of 17th century New England, including witchcraft, religious hysteria, and parental authority. Robert Eggers also put great effort into making the film’s details as true to the time period as well, such as only using natural and/or candlelight while filming.
The Witch clearly portrays the Puritan family as vile sinners, easily succumbing to the sins of the flesh, constantly harassed by Satan and his agents. In discussing gender roles and norms in The Witch , it is important to note that this movie primarily follows only one family and not necessarily generalizable to the rest of the population.
In 1692, a series of witchcraft accusations and trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts. Many people, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and were put on trial. Some were found guilty and executed.
Warning: "The Witch: A New England Folktale"
I’d been dying to see Robert Eggers’ first major film, The Witch (or The VVitch), since its debut in 2016; it looked like the kind of dark, slow-burn thriller I always love. So, protected by my cat and quilt one gloomy Saturday night, my friend Laura and I hunkered down to watch it.
The Witch follows a devout Puritan family in colonial New England, recently exiled from their village for social views that conflicted with those of the village leaders’. Paranoia and despair sets in when the couple’s infant, Samuel, goes missing under the watch of their oldest daughter, Thomasin (see Anya Taylor-Joy’s picture at the top). As their crops fail and their second son, Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), also goes missing, dissident, jarring instrumentals and a hauntingly bleak set accompany the unraveling of a panic-ridden plot. The couple is convinced there’s a witch in their family, and they’re convinced it’s one of their children.
As the viewer, we know within the first fifteen minutes that there is in fact a “witch of the wood,” and the kidnapper of Samuel and Caleb is not Thomasin nor other two children. After Samuel goes suddenly and tracelessly missing in one of the first few scenes, we see a red-coated figure limping frantically through the woods, holding a bundle that looks remarkably similar to that of suddenly-disappeared Samuel.
From then on, the plot develops in a blur of hysteria and dismay, and, in turn, the viewer is thrown into the terror of a colonial witch-scare. Robert Eggers accomplished in The Witch what many directors have attempted and failed at for the past several decades — he has made a very traditional, overdone Halloween monster truly terrifying again.
We only actually see the witch or what she’s up to in the ominous woods a handful of times. We see flashes of an old, nude woman lathering herself with entrails or a crow pecking at the nipple of a woman who believes she’s breastfeeding her child, but we never get the whole story. Eggers never lets you see the gory details in full, but rather gives you fleeting shots that leave your mind to its own devices, which is arguably worse and unarguably disturbing.
Eggers’ set and script choices make for another undeniable triumph. From the first scene in the courthouse as the family’s exile is announced, the viewer is completely immersed in Eggers’ desolate vision of 1630s New England. An array of muted blue and gray tones and a perpetually cloudy sky literally made me shiver — though there was no snow in the movie, you could sense the bitter cold. In a video featured on The New York Times, Eggers describes how he and his team would search the set everyday before shooting and pick all the flowers off of the brush surrounding the farm. He scaled the traditional colonial-style windows up 33% so he could use almost solely natural lighting. He even trained his crew to learn era-appropriate farming techniques in case the farm needed to become fully-operational.
To further darken the already-gloomy setting, Eggers’ script is one of the most chilling facets of the movie. After five years of research, The Witch’s script is almost a complete collection of quotes from court recordings and journals of the time period. An entire speech from a possessed Caleb is an excerpt of a diary entry by John Winthrop, one of the leading figures of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the second New England settlement after Plymouth.
“O my Lord, my love, how wholly delectable thou art! Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for his love is sweeter than wine: How lovely is thy countenance! How pleasant are thy embraces! My heart leaps for joy when I hear the voice of thee my Lord, my love, when thou sayest to my soul, thou art her salvation. O my God, my king, what am I but dust! A worm, a rebel, and thine enemy was I, wallowing in the blood and filth of my sins, when thou didst cast the light of Countenance upon me, when thou spread over me the lap of thy love, and saidest that I should live.”
After decidedly one of the most insane final scenes I’ve ever witnessed (complete with cackling and nude bonfire-dancing), Laura and I lay silently in my bed. Eggers succeeded brilliantly in immersing his audience in his haunting version of witch-paranoid New England.
“You have to close the door,” I demanded, “I’m not about to get killed by that damn witch.”
This is a film review of The Witch: A New England Folk Tale (2016), directed by Robert Eggers.
This event has become a significant part of American history and serves as a reminder of the dangers of hysteria and the persecution of innocent individuals. Another well-known folktale is the story of the Bell Witch. This legend originates from Tennessee in the early 19th century. It revolves around a family, the Bell Family, who claimed to be haunted by a witch-like entity. The witch, known as the Bell Witch, tormented the family with its invisible presence, including physical attacks and eerie noises. This haunting lasted for several years, and even after the death of John Bell, the patriarch of the family, the witch continued to cause disturbances. Witchcraft and witches have always been subjects of intrigue and fear in New England folklore. They are portrayed as both evil and powerful, capable of bringing harm or protecting those who can earn their favor. These tales have been passed down through generations and continue to captivate readers and listeners alike..
Reviews for "Lost Ghost Stories: Hauntings by New England's Forgotten Witches"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I have to say, I was extremely disappointed with "The Witch: A New England Folktale". The movie had so much potential, with its intriguing premise and historical setting, but it failed to deliver in almost every aspect. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the entire film. The dialogue was also convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me confused about the motives and actions of the characters. Additionally, the ending felt anticlimactic and left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I found "The Witch" to be a tedious and frustrating viewing experience.
2. Emily Smith - 2.5 stars - I really wanted to like "The Witch: A New England Folktale" because I'm a fan of horror movies and period dramas. However, the movie fell short on both fronts. The horror aspect was lacking, with minimal scares and a reliance on atmospheric tension that failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. The period setting felt authentic, but the story itself was slow-moving and lacked a compelling narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and difficult to connect with, which made it hard for me to care about their fate. Overall, "The Witch" had potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver a truly captivating and thrilling cinematic experience.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1 star - I couldn't stand "The Witch: A New England Folktale". The movie was a complete waste of time and money. It failed to provide any real scares or suspense, and I found myself getting bored within the first 30 minutes. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence, leaving me scratching my head and questioning the purpose of certain scenes. The characters were uninteresting and their actions made little sense. Furthermore, the ending was unsatisfying and left me feeling like I had wasted my time. I would not recommend "The Witch" to anyone looking for a quality horror film.