As a small nitpick, the book was less of a historical fiction and more just a framework to dissect the McCarthy era red scare insanity, people selling eachother out, using it for personal benefit, the fervor of zealots and lives ruined by one single report by a bad actor, it's an excellent allegory and flew under the radar. It's still got a lingering effect in the states with anything remotely left being demonized as commie while alt right nutters literally attempted a coup haha
I really disagree with your line about McCarthyism. Communism isn't like any political belief. Communism can only be brought about in a violent revolution as Marx calls for in the communist manifesto and goes on to defend in other written works. Terrorism is not a simple belief. Trying to pretend that terrorism is just part of politics is wrong. And people who want to commit large scale murder forfeit their rights.
It was the same in Europe. When the friend of the former governor of western Norway was burned as a witch, large parts of the clergy made strong complaints, claiming the trial was personally and politically motivated. The king even sent an investigator, a close advisor, to find out the truth of the matter. In the end the verdict was upheld, but the local government was heavily critized, and witch trials became less common. A few clergymen were also replaced.
I think the Simpsons summed up the Salem Witch Trials in one exchange. Lisa: If they're really witches, why dont they use their powers to escape? Homer: That sounds like witch talk to me, Lisa. Lisa : Nevermind!
Lisa's question is a reference to Medieval European trials regarding witchcraft. When someone was accused of it but didn't accept the Church's pardon (which involved Church work of some form), the secular King (or court) was responsible with the trial. Since the individual was believed to be a witch, they were placed in dangerous situations that would need the power of witchcraft to evade. Protestants adopted these trials later on during the "witch craze".
@@n4ughty_knightif I remember right the church (at least the Roman Catholic one) itself was far less into witch hunting then the government and the people themselves. The church was far more interested in hunting heretics and Muslims/jews than witches. Sadly the witch trials really got off the ground as a way to blame people for bad things that happened like 30 years war and plague outbreak and more than a few preachers were willing to take advantage of this as well
Glad to see someone FINALLY talk about the effect that King Philipps War had on the Puritan society. It explains a lot of the paranoia that they had. Especially since some of the young girls were survivors of families massacred during the wars.
This was one of the points that was brought up in a history class that was specifically devoted to the witch trials. I feel like it's a period of time that doesn't get talked about enough. I took another class that was on Indian captivity. People living out in these settlements were truly terrified (and sometimes justifiably so) of indigenous tribes coming to raid their areas. Coupling that with religious intolerance, it's a hotbed of paranoia and mistrust.
Last Podcast On The Left did a really good series on the Trials, and they talk fairly extensively on King Phillips War. And Lions Led By Donkeys did an entire series on King Phillips War because of LPOTL!
I was also taught in school that if you were to either deny or confess to witchcraft, your property was seized and was not passed down to your kin if found guilty. So a lot of accusations were from neighbors who wanted more land. This was an important note for Giles Corey who did not plea either guilty or not guilty so his estate was passed to his sons.
Yes, that's precisely what he was aiming for (keeping the land in the family). Dude was old even for now (81) and he decided to take the only way out of a no-win situation.
@@DooblesGoDoobles Even more bad ass since it is said after a few days of the rock torture, Giles was asked to plea and instead of doing so he would only reply "more rocks" until he died. Aside from the reply, he would take the torture in silence.
A few years back, I got to visit Salem. A lot of it has unfortunately become highly touristy, but the Witch Trial memorial was very sobering. Individual markers to each victim, displaying names, dates of execution, and last words. Seeing Giles Corey and his famous "More weight!" was especially moving, he's one of my favorite minor historical figures. A man simply trying to do right by his wife and children, even to the point of death.
for decades Salem has been a notable tourist destination by broadcasting this ordeal Now somehow the town has become Halloween Mecca, with countless people partying there during September & October. Also other spooky events being hosted there through out the year
I found the memorial very sobering and striking as well. I actually was there in October to experience the Halloween-all-Month thing, and they had a huge, 20,000 jack o' lanterns trail on display at the zoo. It ended at the memorial, so it was like, food for thought after all the fun. But the apology to the victims and it saying it was there to remind against the dangers of mass hysteria, it really was striking. So should we all remember.
Are you aware that Giles Corey was a terrible person? He beat a servant to death, for which his punishment was to pay a fine. He was simply a stubborn, unpleasant asshole, not some symbol of heroic defiance and martyrdom.
Not sure if this part was covered in the video: But one of the reasons Corey refused to admit himself a witch is because those who confessed to witchcraft lost all of their lands and property - he claimed that he would rather die than have his family lose their lands.
@@davemccage7918 What a highly ignorant comment. I suppose your interest in history is only cursory at best, and your empathy for people at that time is nonexistent.
I took a college class on New England witchcraft with Prof. Mary Morris. You covered many of the points this class touched on brilliantly. There are so many angles to this story, but they all build upon the context of this particular episode in history. My prof said that she did go up to visit Salem at one point, and during a tour her husband had to physically restrain her because the tour guide kept spouting out historical inaccuracies lol
Yeah they’ve definitely commercialized this story for tourism. It’s a shame and people should know the truth. But I guess the small town has to make money somehow?
26:20 Fun fact about Bridget Bishop: One of her accusers claimed that she and a friend had bewitched him and his brother into doing ungodly acts with them, specifically while Bishop was a wearing a “paragon red bodice.” The two men were only freed of the spell when his wife came home.
We were shown this film in high school, and though the teacher pointed out a lot of inaccuracies, I remember this film absolutely captivating me because of the sheer level of acting skill by the cast.
I remember reading the play in high school and being so enamored that I bought the book for myself so I could read it. I remember the movie being particularly captivating, my teacher didn't point out the inaccuracies but I bet that would have made it more interesting.
My wife was a member of the church that once employed the Reverend Parris. The church was destroyed in a fire, but many of the stained glass windows survived, including the ones with John Proctor's name in it, as well as a plaque in his memory referring to him as a martyr.
I live in Marblehead, which is right next to Salem MA. They really take this seriously, and everything is witch themed, and the entire towns fame is centered around Halloween. There are literally thousands of people that flood the entire town the entire month of October. The sad thing is, is that most people who visit just go for fun, and don’t think twice about 1692. These women that were killed in the trials did not want to be witches, and that scapegoating and groupthink is a dangerous lesson we could all learn from. Most people that visit don’t even think of this unfortunately.
Lmao your comment is silly. "But in reality they did not want to be witches." Yes I imagine when they were innocent and were being hung they thought to themselves... well I didn't want this.
I would argue that most people who visit Salem absolutely consider the innocent people killed there. In fact, it's actually one of the few places in the world that when mentioned immediately invoke images of falsely accused people being sent to death. Also, you have a typo; *Witch* themed. Edit: You're welcome!
I was there two days ago, on Oct. 29th. I was in Reading for something else, figured I'd go to a few nearby national parks after. I hit Saugus Ironworks, and saw the next closest was Salem Maritime. Not considering what Salem would be like Sunday before Halloween, I drove in. It was nuts, and all I could think to myself was, "you all do realize that you're here having fun and making merry at the sight of one of the most massive judicial miscarriages of justice in North American history?" It just felt... unsettling.
@@KrimetTStarKiller I respectfully disagree with you. I understand where you’re coming from, but the world is different - and not for the better. Believe it or not, some younger people (even in my high school) thought it was all a work of fiction, and that it was made-up tale to teach the lesson of blaming and lying for self-gain. I guess that as time goes on, it’s always important to remember how we have changed as human beings, and that if we don’t remember our past we are destined to repeat it.
I greatly appreciate that you point out that this sort of problem can exist anywhere, at any time. This is not just a story from the 1600s, or even the 1950s. The concept of "guilty until proven innocent," or a lack of due process, is a collapse in justice.
The 1950s thing doesn't actually make sense, because while witches generally don't exist, communists do and did all over the place in the 50s. McCarthy was right. This is no longer up for debate.
Umm… then consider the justice system, in my county at least, fully collapsed. I once waited 358 days in jail to only be sentenced to 200 days. I felt like I was presumed guilty for that nearly a year.
That scene about the walking sticks always gets to me. It's tragic and infuriating at the same time. True, real world horror. The concept of the devil's mark is absolutely terrifying as well. Who doesn't have a single spot or mole in their entire body? Anyone could be accused of having one!
Also, they said that devil marks appear and disappear, moving to a different part of your body. Basically, if they said that you had a devil's mark, you had one and therefore you die.
Consistent theme in Christian European society was that a disability or deformity was a reflection of a crooked mind. Similar story with mental illness and disability. In some places, they might be seen as changelings or possessed. It's an attitude that still pervades us, albeit more subtly, in the way laws surrounding disability and mental illness work even now.
Near everyone who got a high-school level education in the US has read this book or seen this movie. What a wonderful movie to feature on your channel!
They filmed The Crucible in my hometown Essex, which is about 12 miles northeast of Salem. Much of the colonial Salem you see in the movie was recreated on a small island on the Essex River called Hog Island - Daniel Day-Lewis lived there for a while before production began to get into character.
Fun info if you ever want to visit Salem: As pointed out in the video, the bulk of the trials happened in Salem Village (today, Danvers) not Salem Town (today, Salem). If you ever plan to visit Salem, Mass to see the museum, also try to make your way to Danvers. You can take a tour through Rebecca Nurse's house and the property she lived on. On that same property you can visit the cemetery where members of the Nurse and Putnam families are buried. There is also a replica of the Meeting House that was constructed for a TV Miniseries back in the 80's you can walk through. You can also visit the Salem Village Parsonage where the Parris family lived. Not the house, but the foundation of where the house used to be.
As you probably know, the actual site of the unfortunate executions ( now within present day Salem ) which was lost through history ( actually, once the madness came to an end local people just wanted to forget about it and didn’t want any reminders) has now been authenticated by old maps, historical documentation, and topographical evidence. There is now a historical marker, and I believe, a small memorial at the site which can be visited.
In working on my family tree, I’ve discovered several accused witches on it, all connected by marriage or blood. That really showed me how close-knit Salem and its surrounding region was. John Proctor’s sister Abigail was married to Thomas Varney, and his sister Rachel was my 11th great grandmother. Rachel was also accused, along with several Gloucester women connected to her son-in-law Hugh Rowe (my 10th great grandfather).
Its actually insane that the Simpsons parody of the Witch Trials isnt that far off from what actually happened. Lisa : Doesn't the Bible say "Judge not lest ye be judged?" Chief Wiggum: The Bible says a lot of things, shove her.
A commonly misunderstood phrase. Judge not lest you be judged by the same stone. Meaning you shouldn't judge people of doing something you are guilty of. Not that you shouldn't judge at all
@@christopherhammond9467 Yes. However it's still a pretty good idea not to judge anyone period, cause you never know when you could be wrong. Leave the judgement to the only pure judge, so to speak
@@Dr-Weird That is complete nonsense. There are people doing absolutely insane things and its destroying the western world. An 8 year old can decide to change their gender for life through surgery and drugs but an 18 year old is too immature to google how little their major will pay and then take out a loan they expect others to repay?? And you think I cant judge those people?? Go take a nap. The adults are talking. Shame and social judgement has kept society together for centuries. This 'dont judge anyone period' is empty headed toxic compassion that people blindly assume is enlightenment. Its not.
Cotton Mather also was involved with the trials, but it would come back to haunt him. In the aftermath, a Bostonian cloth merchant named Robert Calef spoke with witnesses and victims who gave their testimonies. He then published these testimonies in his book, “More Wonders of the Invisible World”, which revealed that the trials were of dubious legality, and that the belief in witchcraft was more informed by contemporary superstition, and had nothing to do with scriptural evidence. Within 5 years, the Salem Witch Trials ended all faith in Puritanism. There was another reason, though, that the Puritans suspected witchcraft, because they genuinely believed that North America was the domain of the devil, who was actively working to undermine the New England experiment. There was a sort of cultural continuity in this belief in Satanic wilderness. Most colonists came from East Anglia, which was dominated by fens and marshes. These wild places played host in East Anglian folklore as the domain of boggarts, ghosts and witches.
As a theater major and a lover for history, I gotta thank you for this video. This has to absolutely be one of my favorite plays, since this was the first one I was involved with in my junior college years prior to pursuing theater into university.
Excellent episode, I didn't know Elizabeth was aged up and the adultery plot was a complete invention. I would love a review of the musical 1776. It was one of my favorite movies growing up, but it was based on a play and I now know they took some liberties to make it work onstage (many of the backroom debates were moved onto the floor of Congress to avoid needing to change sets, a ticking clock was added for drama, and they did James Wilson dirty by turning him into a sniveling villain sidekick). Still, it is not only a fun movie experience, but also an important milestone in historiography as it was one of the first pieces of popular media to portray the Founding Fathers as normal people and not semi-divine geniuses.
Not only was Abigail Williams a lot younger in real life than shown in the movie, but John Proctor was also in his late 50''s when he was hanged, while in the movie he's only 30!
I remember when we studied the Puritans in history class and got to the Salem witch trials. There’s a strong theory that historians lean to for why the girls were convulsing and hallucinating, was because that year a horrible rain storm rotted their rye crops, causing them to ferment , which led to horrible side effects when consumed.
Ah yes, the Ergot theory. I'm not a big fan of this one myself, as it really seems like historians are stretching to try and find a way to excuse the behavior of the girls who were accusing everyone else of witchcraft when there's plenty of pretty obvious evidence that the personal disputes and politics played a huge role in that, but I suppose it might have had some small part to play.
@@MidlifeCrisisJoe Actually I think the Ergot theory adds strength to the impact that the personal disputes and politics played. Think about it, let's say that you are in a pretty serious conflict with someone and you suddenly fall ill under mysterious circumstances. Then you hallucinate that the person who you have a conflict with is now appearing before you as an apparition. Now also remember, this is at a time when the medicine had no concept of the causes of illness, such as bacteria, and was also at a time when people believed that magic was a real thing and could have a real impact on a person. Combine the two, and it's actually pretty easy to see how the accusations could have started. Now, I don't think Ergot played a part in every accusation, but I do believe it played a part in some of them.
I am a Puritan. The lies that are told about us are endless. You did not study Puritans or Puritanism, you were most likely fed caricatured lies about the Puritans. The witch trials conducted by Puritans, or involving Puritans in England and in America, were full legal trials. You had every other right as any other person accused of any crime. Many of these trials took months if not years to complete, and most people were found to be innocent and not guilty. During the Salem Witch Trials, over 200 people were accused. Only 30 were found guilty. This was not mass hysteria. This was not wicked misogyny. This was not the patriarchy gone wrong. These were legal trials against criminals, just as we would see today against traitors and spies. And the reason why it bothers me to such an extreme length, is the fact that the Puritans and the Calvinists, were the only ones who actually held proper legal trials for accused witches. In Lutheran Norway, we did see communal hysteria and land grabs. As in Lutheran Norway, the witch trials were done by local rural Sheriffs. Where they indeed would go after the neighbors they did not like, et cetera. And in the Catholic world, they would never offer you any sort of trial, they would torture you to death with a smile on their faces. And yet, the ONE GROUP that actually held proper trials. Collecting evidence. Seeking witnesses. And going through the full legal procedure and system. This ONE GROUP is branded as the evil misogynistic horrid monster evil white male Christians who hate the "free spirited" woman. It's a lie, and a horrid one. You know "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Religion" and "Freedom of the Press"? Those things were given to you by the Puritans. Without us, these things would not exist. Yet, they need to build fake history to brand us as the evil monster-men, so the leftists/socialists/modernists can take what we gave to the world and claim for themselves.
Yeah, there’s not really any evidence for the Ergot theory; and it doesn’t explain the mass hysteria that spread throughout Salem and the neighboring towns.
Thanks Nick! I studied this in school inAustralia, and learnt about the McArthy era but nothing about the historical context between England and New England at the time. Also, I think about the scene in which Daniel Day Lewis despairs for his name as John Proctor a LOT. So good.
@@justinyi5731 fair lol; but the inability to not rush to "other" people, or to respect innocent until proven guilty over 300 years later is certainly astounding.
Maybe one day more of us will learn when nearly all of us are properly educated. There's a reason why education systems aren't properly funded & are skewed.
There was an old church book page my grandfather found while visiting his cousins in Germany in the 80's. In it were a list of his ancestors, plus another small paragraph. The pastor at his home Lutheran church translated it, and revealed it was a witch who was executed in 1492 in Oldenburg.
The legendary Paul Scofield played Danforth in this movie. He always killed it in the period features, but playing Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons will always be his masterpiece.
Hey Nick. I just watched Killers of the Flower Moon and really hope you make a video about it. I believe the film was done very well and seems to be historically correct for the most part. A great watch for you and any other History Buffs that see this comment. Love the channel and the squad! 💪🏼
We had to read this in 11th Grade English Class, and then watch the film as a treat for about a week afterwards. To me, the movie felt like a fever dream. Probably down to the fact that my English Class was the first one of the day for me 😂
90% of required reading (it was 9th grade for us, early 00s) was pretty dull, catcher in the rye is overrated, but this was a classic. For me it was tame, I mean I'd loved the thing/predator/evil dead/starship troopers since 4th grade haha, but still good. Especially since it doubled as commentary on the McCarthy red scare which reached religious zealot levels of insanity, gives it two layers of historical significance. It's insane that modern religious whackos try to act like THESE people were the founding fathers, centuries before the real ones who were deists and didn't want this crap anywhere near the institution
Thanks for doing this one. I love this movie that the time period is shrouded in so much uncertainty. I have been to Salem and seen the grave of Rebecca Nurse and the memorial to John Proctor and the others. Very sobering and sad. I don't think we will ever know the real "why" that this happened. I would add that I have stood in the Nurse's front room in their home, one of the only buildings still standing. Very sad to stand there and know she was in that room when the solders came, arrested her and took her to what was ultimately her death. Interesting fact though, Rebecca Nurses grave is the only one that is "kind of" known; it isn't marked but it is believed she and Mr. Nurse are buried together. Ultrasound has been done on the site and two masses are there in what appears to be to bodies. As to the others? No one knows where they are buried or even where the exact hanging site is. Horrible time it was.
As a child living nearby in Beverly, the Witchcraft Hysteria is a core lesson when discussing local history. What is not as much discussed was the effect of the Wars of the Abenaki Confederation (King William's War) refugees from Maine, New Hampshire, and Haverhill.
We'd love to see you cover Greyhound! It's a movie about Tom Hanks as a warship commander during WW2 protecting a merchant convoy! I think it's such an amazing movie we'd love for you to give the HistoryBuffs treatment!
Always had a strange connection to this historical event and the film. My grandmother's maiden name was Proctor and she can trace her family tree directly to John Proctor, so I am a direct descendent of the main character.
This film was my introduction to what a movie could actually do. Every frame is art and meaning. Even the signature song Jamie sings is a Welsh lullaby about being safe with your mother. Suo Gan.
Although your channel is always great, this one was really enjoyable. You strike a great balance between the history and the fiction. As well as pointing out the inaccuracies that there was essentially no need for, you also show fairness to the filmmakers when they need to streamline certain aspects of production or storytelling. I found your channel in the middle of your episodes on Narcos. They're still probably my favourite because of how much I love that show. I hope I've said this before but if I haven't, awesome intro.
Puts tears in my eyes every time. I don't know why everyone puts "My Left Foot" above "The Crucible". It's one of the best performances he's yet given.
@@Annie-xh2dt 'Woman are attracted to intelligence' - has to be the biggest cope ever. They're obviously attracted most of all by power. What man can by them the most powerful vacuum cleaner? The most powerful dishwasher? Only a man with power.
@@Annie-xh2dtalso Marilyn, despite type casting, was very intelligent and just couldn't break this type despite trying to because by then no one would have taken her seriously.
Random fact: Miller first met Marilyn Monroe on the film set of 'As Young as You Feel' in 1951. Monroe was crying because her agent had passed away. When Miller saw her, he declared “You’re the saddest girl I’ve ever met.” Surprisingly, Monroe responded with “You’re the only one who ever said that to me.” Considering the torture that Monroe went through in life, it doesn't surprise me that she'd be drawn to a guy who saw her for who she was rather than what she looked like.
The Salem Witch Trials is the embodiment of the saying: "It's difficult to win an argument against a smart person, but it's impossible to win an argument against idiots"
15:04 😅 completely the opposite. Plymouth women enjoyed extensive property and legal rights and could be signatories on contracts, something that European women would not enjoy legally. They also within puritanism had the unusual belief at the time that women were equal before God as men were. Here's the source: Demos, John (1970). A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony
There's an interesting bit of casting in this movie: Paul Scofield, who plays Danvers here, is probably most famous as Thomas More, in "Man for All Seasons", where More is more or less in John Proctor's place.
This is probably one of my favorite movies and plays. I read it in highschool and we were learning the historical context right along with the reading and I revisit the topic regularly and I learn new things every time. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say
Some context should be thrown in that Henry Miller wrote this in 1953 at the peak of the Red Scare and Joseph McCarthy. He didn't intend it to be a completely historically accurate take on the Salem Witch Trials because he was using it as a modern critique of what he saw happening around him in his present day.
I’m about 20 mins into the video and if the whole video goes without him saying anything I’m going to be so upset because that was the whole reason Miller wrote the play.
@@cgmason7568 yes trust me I know. My family had to escape first the bolsheviks and then the former USSR at the start of World War Two. I’m only the 2nd generation born in the states. Still doesn’t change the fact that Miller wrote the play as an allegory for what what going on at that time
Fantastic video! I’d like to suggest the 1981 movie Ragtime. Although largely a historical fashion, some real life events are portrayed, as well as real life historical figures, taking place in New York City of 1906. It’s also the first movie Samuel L Jackson ever did.
@@Nedchilvs Ironic for you to bring that up. The same people protesting at Columbia would be the same people "cancelled" in the 1950's for communist associations - the very catalyst that inspired Miller to write the Crucible's screenplay in the first place.
@@williamwallace9944 Not quite the same from what I can see, the Marxists and their useful idiots are in the majority, it's the same as as everybody thinking Taylor Swift is something great, it's just fashion, it's just jumping on the band wagon.
Super interesting video as always! If you could, I’d love to see a history buff video about The Courier. I was so deeply impressed by that movie, from its music to it’s portrayal of paranoia in Soviet Russia and the effect that one truly good person can have.
Salem resident here. Thanks for showing the many differences between actual history and Miller's adaptation. The Crucible was filmed here on the North Shore, in Ipswich for the exteriors and interior sets at what was the old United Shoe Machinery building in Beverly (now developed as the Cummings Center). The production company donated a lot of the props used to Pioneer Village in Salem, a re-created part of old Salem. The opening scenes of Hocus Pocus were filmed there in the fall of 1992.
Brother, I have to let you know I have loved your videos for a very long time! I've watched pretty much almost all of them and I just really appreciate how in depth you go and I understand there's a lot of work that goes into what you do! Thank you brother and God bless you!
Great video as always! I live in Connecticut and go to Salem every Halloween season. They put on a ton of festivities and reenactments of the trials. They also provide tours of locations while explaining their significance within that period and it's overall really awesome. I recommend anyone who can should make a trip to Salem, Massachusetts to experience it all and learn some cool things. The cemetery where the "witches" are buried is also really cool!
You should do The Aviator! Howard Hughes was such a fascinating character and there’s so much fantastical stuff in the movie that I’d be interested in seeing whether or not is true.
The ending editorial comments apply to everyone. Whether right, left, center, religious, or irreligious, do not lose sight of how group think and societal pressures can force you to abandon your principles or sanity.
Except for the fact that the Puritan witch trials was not "group think" or "mass hysteria". They were legal trials that took months to years to complete, and you had every legal right as with any other criminal accusation. Evidence was gathered, and witnesses were questioned. And close to 90% of people were found not guilty. The modern Atheist just love to use my Religion as some evil phantom make-believe horrid misogynistic religious extremists. Even though it was the Puritans who gave us Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of the Press. But they need to brand us as the evil wicked ones, so they can take these things and claim it for themselves.
@@whaaat3632 If you were forced to confess, then why were nearly 90% of the accused let go? The point and purpose of a trial is to find out the truth. If that truth leads to a confession, then there you have it. We do the exact same thing today. Pressure is obviously put on the accused. Just like we do today. You don't end the trial when the accused says he didn't do it. If that was the case, then we would have zero people in prison, and we would live in a lawless society. There was nothing out of the ordinary with these trials compared to any other accusation and crime.
I remember reading this play in high school and it automatically became my favorite play. I was also in the play Sophomore year in college where I met my roommate. I was Mercy Lewis and she was Elizabeth Proctor. I also love how this play is an allegory for the Red Scare in the 1950’s. The Salem Witch trials and Mccarthyism are both very similar in how normal people were getting accused for something they never did
Fine job of explaining this difficult situation. I've lived in Salem for twenty years and given a few tours and have attended many lectures and exhibits. A few points I'd like to get cleared up. The Crucible is both accurate and wildly off. Miller did a lot to spread the dancing in the woods stuff; the play is one of the most often performed in schools so a LOT of people have seen it and fervently believe that "the girls" did in fact dance in the woods and that Tituba taught them spells. That is the most common misconception about the Trials. Arthur Miller did indeed come to Salem to research the Trials and a lot of the dialogue comes directly from the courtroom transcripts. All the dancing in the woods stuff and the romance stuff is made up. All we really know about the Trials is what was said in court, plus some biographical details of the people involved. I can't emphasize this enough! But still I congratulate you for delving into the Indian wars, the political situation and the tough conditions the Puritans had to face. It was a VERY complicated time. I might add that it seems to me that no one in Salem liked anyone! :)
I see you have used clips from Cromwell. Please can you do an episode on it, the political history surrounding the regicide and interregnum is fascinating.
Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video. Go to sponsr.is/cs_buffs and use code BUFFS to save 25% off on annual subscription today.
Willing to do Black Hawk Down soon?
Hey, do you think you could take a look at Munich? especially what's going on now
As a small nitpick, the book was less of a historical fiction and more just a framework to dissect the McCarthy era red scare insanity, people selling eachother out, using it for personal benefit, the fervor of zealots and lives ruined by one single report by a bad actor, it's an excellent allegory and flew under the radar.
It's still got a lingering effect in the states with anything remotely left being demonized as commie while alt right nutters literally attempted a coup haha
12:07 Let's not forget that Miller wrote his version during the Red Scare.
I really disagree with your line about McCarthyism. Communism isn't like any political belief. Communism can only be brought about in a violent revolution as Marx calls for in the communist manifesto and goes on to defend in other written works. Terrorism is not a simple belief. Trying to pretend that terrorism is just part of politics is wrong. And people who want to commit large scale murder forfeit their rights.
"When it finally did end in 1693, it was only after it started to affect the elites", somethings truly never change.
Yup, the governor's wife was accused after she helped her friends escape.
This could mean two very diferent things.
It was the same in Europe. When the friend of the former governor of western Norway was burned as a witch, large parts of the clergy made strong complaints, claiming the trial was personally and politically motivated. The king even sent an investigator, a close advisor, to find out the truth of the matter. In the end the verdict was upheld, but the local government was heavily critized, and witch trials became less common. A few clergymen were also replaced.
I dont know if this should make me laugh or cry
@@philosotree5876Which are..?
I think the Simpsons summed up the Salem Witch Trials in one exchange.
Lisa: If they're really witches, why dont they use their powers to escape?
Homer: That sounds like witch talk to me, Lisa.
Lisa : Nevermind!
Lisa's question is a reference to Medieval European trials regarding witchcraft. When someone was accused of it but didn't accept the Church's pardon (which involved Church work of some form), the secular King (or court) was responsible with the trial. Since the individual was believed to be a witch, they were placed in dangerous situations that would need the power of witchcraft to evade. Protestants adopted these trials later on during the "witch craze".
Why did History Buffs change their into music?
@@artaxerxeseh30Do you realize that you left this comment as a response to another unrelated comment?
@@artaxerxeseh30 That sounds like witch talk to me, Bob....
@@n4ughty_knightif I remember right the church (at least the Roman Catholic one) itself was far less into witch hunting then the government and the people themselves. The church was far more interested in hunting heretics and Muslims/jews than witches.
Sadly the witch trials really got off the ground as a way to blame people for bad things that happened like 30 years war and plague outbreak and more than a few preachers were willing to take advantage of this as well
Giles Corey saying, “More weight” while being tortured to death is one of the most gangster sentences ever penned.
Because he wanted the pain to end, but still I agree.
“Mo’ weight, less problems”
-Giles Corey
What’s even crazier is that Giles Corey was a real guy who legitimately did this in the 1600s
@@MoOveOver_plz one of the first chads to be born
I am proudly one of his descendants.
Glad to see someone FINALLY talk about the effect that King Philipps War had on the Puritan society. It explains a lot of the paranoia that they had. Especially since some of the young girls were survivors of families massacred during the wars.
This was one of the points that was brought up in a history class that was specifically devoted to the witch trials. I feel like it's a period of time that doesn't get talked about enough. I took another class that was on Indian captivity. People living out in these settlements were truly terrified (and sometimes justifiably so) of indigenous tribes coming to raid their areas. Coupling that with religious intolerance, it's a hotbed of paranoia and mistrust.
Last Podcast On The Left did a really good series on the Trials, and they talk fairly extensively on King Phillips War. And Lions Led By Donkeys did an entire series on King Phillips War because of LPOTL!
You can’t talk about the Salem VVitch Trials without bringing up King Philip’s War
So interesting! Thank you
The paranoia they had was 100% caused by their superstitious beliefs. Stop reinterpreting history in a modern light.
The Devil came up to Salem, and looked around for about 5 minutes. Then the Devil quickly went down to Georgia. Salem was already hell.
Clever!😂
Then he went down to Jamaica😎..........
@@Ron-d2s was he looking to steal a soul or sell some weed
@@kabuto23ful A little something like that.
Nice
I was also taught in school that if you were to either deny or confess to witchcraft, your property was seized and was not passed down to your kin if found guilty. So a lot of accusations were from neighbors who wanted more land. This was an important note for Giles Corey who did not plea either guilty or not guilty so his estate was passed to his sons.
Virgin Witchhunters and land snatchers Vs Giga Chad Giles
Typical government, stealing peoples private property.
Jesus christ what a fucking badass
Yes, that's precisely what he was aiming for (keeping the land in the family). Dude was old even for now (81) and he decided to take the only way out of a no-win situation.
@@DooblesGoDoobles Even more bad ass since it is said after a few days of the rock torture, Giles was asked to plea and instead of doing so he would only reply "more rocks" until he died. Aside from the reply, he would take the torture in silence.
A few years back, I got to visit Salem. A lot of it has unfortunately become highly touristy, but the Witch Trial memorial was very sobering. Individual markers to each victim, displaying names, dates of execution, and last words. Seeing Giles Corey and his famous "More weight!" was especially moving, he's one of my favorite minor historical figures. A man simply trying to do right by his wife and children, even to the point of death.
for decades Salem has been a notable tourist destination by broadcasting this ordeal
Now somehow the town has become Halloween Mecca, with countless people partying there during September & October.
Also other spooky events being hosted there through out the year
Brilliant. The kind of point that only an older, wiser MAN can make.
I found the memorial very sobering and striking as well. I actually was there in October to experience the Halloween-all-Month thing, and they had a huge, 20,000 jack o' lanterns trail on display at the zoo. It ended at the memorial, so it was like, food for thought after all the fun. But the apology to the victims and it saying it was there to remind against the dangers of mass hysteria, it really was striking.
So should we all remember.
Are you aware that Giles Corey was a terrible person? He beat a servant to death, for which his punishment was to pay a fine. He was simply a stubborn, unpleasant asshole, not some symbol of heroic defiance and martyrdom.
@@kaylew108I would hardly call him wise. He was a murderer.
Not sure if this part was covered in the video: But one of the reasons Corey refused to admit himself a witch is because those who confessed to witchcraft lost all of their lands and property - he claimed that he would rather die than have his family lose their lands.
One more stone
He refused to make any plea.
His family would rather keep their house than keep him alive? And I thought my family were jerks.
@@davemccage7918 What a highly ignorant comment. I suppose your interest in history is only cursory at best, and your empathy for people at that time is nonexistent.
@@davemccage7918they would likely die of starvation or exposure if they had been seen as tainted by witchcraft esp through the father
I took a college class on New England witchcraft with Prof. Mary Morris. You covered many of the points this class touched on brilliantly. There are so many angles to this story, but they all build upon the context of this particular episode in history. My prof said that she did go up to visit Salem at one point, and during a tour her husband had to physically restrain her because the tour guide kept spouting out historical inaccuracies lol
Yeah they’ve definitely commercialized this story for tourism. It’s a shame and people should know the truth. But I guess the small town has to make money somehow?
26:20
Fun fact about Bridget Bishop: One of her accusers claimed that she and a friend had bewitched him and his brother into doing ungodly acts with them, specifically while Bishop was a wearing a “paragon red bodice.” The two men were only freed of the spell when his wife came home.
"She made me call her my Giantess of Lannister..."
We were shown this film in high school, and though the teacher pointed out a lot of inaccuracies, I remember this film absolutely captivating me because of the sheer level of acting skill by the cast.
I was bored to death.
I remember reading the play in high school and being so enamored that I bought the book for myself so I could read it. I remember the movie being particularly captivating, my teacher didn't point out the inaccuracies but I bet that would have made it more interesting.
“Leave me my name!” Always gives me chills. I read the play before seeing it and it’s also incredible.
I only paid attention because of Winona ryders fine ahh
If you discussed this at school and the history your teacher was talking about was 17th Century Witch trials your teacher was incompetent.
My wife was a member of the church that once employed the Reverend Parris. The church was destroyed in a fire, but many of the stained glass windows survived, including the ones with John Proctor's name in it, as well as a plaque in his memory referring to him as a martyr.
I live in Marblehead, which is right next to Salem MA. They really take this seriously, and everything is witch themed, and the entire towns fame is centered around Halloween. There are literally thousands of people that flood the entire town the entire month of October.
The sad thing is, is that most people who visit just go for fun, and don’t think twice about 1692. These women that were killed in the trials did not want to be witches, and that scapegoating and groupthink is a dangerous lesson we could all learn from. Most people that visit don’t even think of this unfortunately.
Lmao your comment is silly. "But in reality they did not want to be witches." Yes I imagine when they were innocent and were being hung they thought to themselves... well I didn't want this.
I would argue that most people who visit Salem absolutely consider the innocent people killed there.
In fact, it's actually one of the few places in the world that when mentioned immediately invoke images of falsely accused people being sent to death.
Also, you have a typo; *Witch* themed.
Edit: You're welcome!
I was there two days ago, on Oct. 29th. I was in Reading for something else, figured I'd go to a few nearby national parks after. I hit Saugus Ironworks, and saw the next closest was Salem Maritime. Not considering what Salem would be like Sunday before Halloween, I drove in. It was nuts, and all I could think to myself was, "you all do realize that you're here having fun and making merry at the sight of one of the most massive judicial miscarriages of justice in North American history?" It just felt... unsettling.
@@KrimetTStarKiller I respectfully disagree with you. I understand where you’re coming from, but the world is different - and not for the better. Believe it or not, some younger people (even in my high school) thought it was all a work of fiction, and that it was made-up tale to teach the lesson of blaming and lying for self-gain.
I guess that as time goes on, it’s always important to remember how we have changed as human beings, and that if we don’t remember our past we are destined to repeat it.
"These women that were killed"
*women and men
I greatly appreciate that you point out that this sort of problem can exist anywhere, at any time. This is not just a story from the 1600s, or even the 1950s. The concept of "guilty until proven innocent," or a lack of due process, is a collapse in justice.
The 1950s thing doesn't actually make sense, because while witches generally don't exist, communists do and did all over the place in the 50s. McCarthy was right. This is no longer up for debate.
Umm… then consider the justice system, in my county at least, fully collapsed. I once waited 358 days in jail to only be sentenced to 200 days. I felt like I was presumed guilty for that nearly a year.
The only difference, McCarthy was right.
When we read this book in school, immediately after, we learned about McCarthyism.
That scene of Daniel day Lewis tearing up the paper is one of my most favorite acting scenes. It gives me Goosebumps and makes me choke up. So good
That scene about the walking sticks always gets to me. It's tragic and infuriating at the same time. True, real world horror.
The concept of the devil's mark is absolutely terrifying as well. Who doesn't have a single spot or mole in their entire body? Anyone could be accused of having one!
Also, they said that devil marks appear and disappear, moving to a different part of your body. Basically, if they said that you had a devil's mark, you had one and therefore you die.
Consistent theme in Christian European society was that a disability or deformity was a reflection of a crooked mind. Similar story with mental illness and disability. In some places, they might be seen as changelings or possessed. It's an attitude that still pervades us, albeit more subtly, in the way laws surrounding disability and mental illness work even now.
I don't have a single spot or mole on my entire body atm.
@@Arkantos117 looks like evil witch deception to me 🤨
@@Arkantos117WITCH!
Near everyone who got a high-school level education in the US has read this book or seen this movie. What a wonderful movie to feature on your channel!
And yet the same old witch trials pop up decade after decade!
@@AndyJarman the unfortunate truth
I've never read it or seen the movie.
I don’t remember this one I’m not sure when it was made but I graduated in 2001.
No me…
They filmed The Crucible in my hometown Essex, which is about 12 miles northeast of Salem. Much of the colonial Salem you see in the movie was recreated on a small island on the Essex River called Hog Island - Daniel Day-Lewis lived there for a while before production began to get into character.
Classic Day-Lewis
That's also where he met his wife; Arthur Miller's daughter, Rebecca.
Winona Ryder is so brilliant in that movie! She's almost scary.
It is Scary because she was acting like girls do nowadays. Willing to Lie & let Innocent people die because of Egotism
@kingarthur3978 bro get over yourself, people have always been people. Not just girls.
@@kingarthur3978you men will always be ten times worse than us
Fun info if you ever want to visit Salem: As pointed out in the video, the bulk of the trials happened in Salem Village (today, Danvers) not Salem Town (today, Salem). If you ever plan to visit Salem, Mass to see the museum, also try to make your way to Danvers. You can take a tour through Rebecca Nurse's house and the property she lived on. On that same property you can visit the cemetery where members of the Nurse and Putnam families are buried. There is also a replica of the Meeting House that was constructed for a TV Miniseries back in the 80's you can walk through. You can also visit the Salem Village Parsonage where the Parris family lived. Not the house, but the foundation of where the house used to be.
I bet the Putnam headstones get a lot of spit.
As you probably know, the actual site of the unfortunate executions ( now within present day Salem ) which was lost through history ( actually, once the madness came to an end local people just wanted to forget about it and didn’t want any reminders) has now been authenticated by old maps, historical documentation, and topographical evidence. There is now a historical marker, and I believe, a small memorial at the site which can be visited.
In working on my family tree, I’ve discovered several accused witches on it, all connected by marriage or blood. That really showed me how close-knit Salem and its surrounding region was. John Proctor’s sister Abigail was married to Thomas Varney, and his sister Rachel was my 11th great grandmother. Rachel was also accused, along with several Gloucester women connected to her son-in-law Hugh Rowe (my 10th great grandfather).
My 8th great grandmother was Elizabeth Howe.
Turns out we are related then 😅 I am also related to rachel
Its actually insane that the Simpsons parody of the Witch Trials isnt that far off from what actually happened.
Lisa : Doesn't the Bible say "Judge not lest ye be judged?"
Chief Wiggum: The Bible says a lot of things, shove her.
A commonly misunderstood phrase. Judge not lest you be judged by the same stone. Meaning you shouldn't judge people of doing something you are guilty of. Not that you shouldn't judge at all
@@christopherhammond9467 Yes. However it's still a pretty good idea not to judge anyone period, cause you never know when you could be wrong. Leave the judgement to the only pure judge, so to speak
@@Dr-Weird That is complete nonsense. There are people doing absolutely insane things and its destroying the western world. An 8 year old can decide to change their gender for life through surgery and drugs but an 18 year old is too immature to google how little their major will pay and then take out a loan they expect others to repay?? And you think I cant judge those people?? Go take a nap. The adults are talking. Shame and social judgement has kept society together for centuries. This 'dont judge anyone period' is empty headed toxic compassion that people blindly assume is enlightenment. Its not.
@@Dr-Weird Why are you judging that person's comment?
@@n4ughty_knight why are you judging my comment?
Cotton Mather also was involved with the trials, but it would come back to haunt him. In the aftermath, a Bostonian cloth merchant named Robert Calef spoke with witnesses and victims who gave their testimonies. He then published these testimonies in his book, “More Wonders of the Invisible World”, which revealed that the trials were of dubious legality, and that the belief in witchcraft was more informed by contemporary superstition, and had nothing to do with scriptural evidence. Within 5 years, the Salem Witch Trials ended all faith in Puritanism.
There was another reason, though, that the Puritans suspected witchcraft, because they genuinely believed that North America was the domain of the devil, who was actively working to undermine the New England experiment. There was a sort of cultural continuity in this belief in Satanic wilderness. Most colonists came from East Anglia, which was dominated by fens and marshes. These wild places played host in East Anglian folklore as the domain of boggarts, ghosts and witches.
As a theater major and a lover for history, I gotta thank you for this video. This has to absolutely be one of my favorite plays, since this was the first one I was involved with in my junior college years prior to pursuing theater into university.
Excellent episode, I didn't know Elizabeth was aged up and the adultery plot was a complete invention.
I would love a review of the musical 1776. It was one of my favorite movies growing up, but it was based on a play and I now know they took some liberties to make it work onstage (many of the backroom debates were moved onto the floor of Congress to avoid needing to change sets, a ticking clock was added for drama, and they did James Wilson dirty by turning him into a sniveling villain sidekick). Still, it is not only a fun movie experience, but also an important milestone in historiography as it was one of the first pieces of popular media to portray the Founding Fathers as normal people and not semi-divine geniuses.
Not only was Abigail Williams a lot younger in real life than shown in the movie, but John Proctor was also in his late 50''s when he was hanged, while in the movie he's only 30!
When I saw footage from “Cromwell” I instantly felt you should do a historical review on the movie. Great movie!
I am thinking the same
I remember when we studied the Puritans in history class and got to the Salem witch trials. There’s a strong theory that historians lean to for why the girls were convulsing and hallucinating, was because that year a horrible rain storm rotted their rye crops, causing them to ferment , which led to horrible side effects when consumed.
Ergotism has been used as a theory for so many manic periods in history but the thing is it sometimes does fit!
Ah yes, the Ergot theory. I'm not a big fan of this one myself, as it really seems like historians are stretching to try and find a way to excuse the behavior of the girls who were accusing everyone else of witchcraft when there's plenty of pretty obvious evidence that the personal disputes and politics played a huge role in that, but I suppose it might have had some small part to play.
@@MidlifeCrisisJoe Actually I think the Ergot theory adds strength to the impact that the personal disputes and politics played. Think about it, let's say that you are in a pretty serious conflict with someone and you suddenly fall ill under mysterious circumstances. Then you hallucinate that the person who you have a conflict with is now appearing before you as an apparition. Now also remember, this is at a time when the medicine had no concept of the causes of illness, such as bacteria, and was also at a time when people believed that magic was a real thing and could have a real impact on a person. Combine the two, and it's actually pretty easy to see how the accusations could have started. Now, I don't think Ergot played a part in every accusation, but I do believe it played a part in some of them.
I am a Puritan. The lies that are told about us are endless. You did not study Puritans or Puritanism, you were most likely fed caricatured lies about the Puritans.
The witch trials conducted by Puritans, or involving Puritans in England and in America, were full legal trials. You had every other right as any other person accused of any crime.
Many of these trials took months if not years to complete, and most people were found to be innocent and not guilty.
During the Salem Witch Trials, over 200 people were accused.
Only 30 were found guilty.
This was not mass hysteria.
This was not wicked misogyny.
This was not the patriarchy gone wrong.
These were legal trials against criminals, just as we would see today against traitors and spies.
And the reason why it bothers me to such an extreme length, is the fact that the Puritans and the Calvinists, were the only ones who actually held proper legal trials for accused witches.
In Lutheran Norway, we did see communal hysteria and land grabs.
As in Lutheran Norway, the witch trials were done by local rural Sheriffs. Where they indeed would go after the neighbors they did not like, et cetera.
And in the Catholic world, they would never offer you any sort of trial, they would torture you to death with a smile on their faces.
And yet, the ONE GROUP that actually held proper trials.
Collecting evidence.
Seeking witnesses.
And going through the full legal procedure and system.
This ONE GROUP is branded as the evil misogynistic horrid monster evil white male Christians who hate the "free spirited" woman.
It's a lie, and a horrid one.
You know "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Religion" and "Freedom of the Press"?
Those things were given to you by the Puritans.
Without us, these things would not exist.
Yet, they need to build fake history to brand us as the evil monster-men, so the leftists/socialists/modernists can take what we gave to the world and claim for themselves.
Yeah, there’s not really any evidence for the Ergot theory; and it doesn’t explain the mass hysteria that spread throughout Salem and the neighboring towns.
Thanks Nick!
I studied this in school inAustralia, and learnt about the McArthy era but nothing about the historical context between England and New England at the time.
Also, I think about the scene in which Daniel Day Lewis despairs for his name as John Proctor a LOT. So good.
The real tragedy about the Salem witch trials is that it seems that we never learn.
Really? I thought it was the hangings
@@justinyi5731 fair lol; but the inability to not rush to "other" people, or to respect innocent until proven guilty over 300 years later is certainly astounding.
@@justinyi5731 That was like what Patton Oswalt and Norm Macdonald said about the Bill Cosbey cases lol
@@Skyumi-Vk yes!! Haha glad you picked up on it!
Maybe one day more of us will learn when nearly all of us are properly educated. There's a reason why education systems aren't properly funded & are skewed.
There was an old church book page my grandfather found while visiting his cousins in Germany in the 80's. In it were a list of his ancestors, plus another small paragraph. The pastor at his home Lutheran church translated it, and revealed it was a witch who was executed in 1492 in Oldenburg.
I love how you added the reformation for Reformation Day. Great way to tie Halloween and Reformation day together.
As a Lutheran, I completely agree.
The legendary Paul Scofield played Danforth in this movie. He always killed it in the period features, but playing Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons will always be his masterpiece.
Such a good movie. And a great portrayal of Henry VIII by Robert Shaw.
... but for Wales
“Lets get to the bottom of this swamp”
“Do you deny every scrap and heap of this?”
“In my eyes only”
The whole fear of speaking out sounds like today. History repeating itself time and time again.
Yeah, because human nature doesn't change.
Hey Nick. I just watched Killers of the Flower Moon and really hope you make a video about it. I believe the film was done very well and seems to be historically correct for the most part. A great watch for you and any other History Buffs that see this comment. Love the channel and the squad! 💪🏼
Ooh! and while you’re at it, you should also review the new Napoleon movie when it comes out!
After Oppenheimer of course
@@SgtScorpious that too! 💣
Watch Bones of Crows instead. Unlike KOTFM, it was made by Indigenous filmmakers telling their stories from Indigenous perspectives.
We had to read this in 11th Grade English Class, and then watch the film as a treat for about a week afterwards. To me, the movie felt like a fever dream. Probably down to the fact that my English Class was the first one of the day for me 😂
I remember watching it as well in 11th grade
I was gonna type mostly the same thing. A whole week of this was exhausting
I read this in 11th Grade English also. I wonder if we all had the same curriculum.
90% of required reading (it was 9th grade for us, early 00s) was pretty dull, catcher in the rye is overrated, but this was a classic. For me it was tame, I mean I'd loved the thing/predator/evil dead/starship troopers since 4th grade haha, but still good.
Especially since it doubled as commentary on the McCarthy red scare which reached religious zealot levels of insanity, gives it two layers of historical significance.
It's insane that modern religious whackos try to act like THESE people were the founding fathers, centuries before the real ones who were deists and didn't want this crap anywhere near the institution
I can't remember if I saw it in eighth or ninth grade
Thanks for doing this one. I love this movie that the time period is shrouded in so much uncertainty. I have been to Salem and seen the grave of Rebecca Nurse and the memorial to John Proctor and the others. Very sobering and sad. I don't think we will ever know the real "why" that this happened.
I would add that I have stood in the Nurse's front room in their home, one of the only buildings still standing. Very sad to stand there and know she was in that room when the solders came, arrested her and took her to what was ultimately her death.
Interesting fact though, Rebecca Nurses grave is the only one that is "kind of" known; it isn't marked but it is believed she and Mr. Nurse are buried together. Ultrasound has been done on the site and two masses are there in what appears to be to bodies. As to the others? No one knows where they are buried or even where the exact hanging site is. Horrible time it was.
As a child living nearby in Beverly, the Witchcraft Hysteria is a core lesson when discussing local history. What is not as much discussed was the effect of the Wars of the Abenaki Confederation (King William's War) refugees from Maine, New Hampshire, and Haverhill.
We'd love to see you cover Greyhound! It's a movie about Tom Hanks as a warship commander during WW2 protecting a merchant convoy! I think it's such an amazing movie we'd love for you to give the HistoryBuffs treatment!
Always had a strange connection to this historical event and the film. My grandmother's maiden name was Proctor and she can trace her family tree directly to John Proctor, so I am a direct descendent of the main character.
You and everyone else
@@SportyMabamba I have the records but ok lol
He lived centuries ago, by now he would have a crap ton of descendants. @@MaliciousMallard
That’s fascinating.
And a girl I went to grade school with had the last name Lincoln, so therefore she’s Abraham Lincoln…
Coming out with a video on Halloween?! Nick has been working his butt off this year. Nice job and thank you!
I would love to see an episode on Empire of the Sun, Spielbergs overlooked classic.
This film was my introduction to what a movie could actually do. Every frame is art and meaning. Even the signature song Jamie sings is a Welsh lullaby about being safe with your mother. Suo Gan.
Although your channel is always great, this one was really enjoyable. You strike a great balance between the history and the fiction. As well as pointing out the inaccuracies that there was essentially no need for, you also show fairness to the filmmakers when they need to streamline certain aspects of production or storytelling. I found your channel in the middle of your episodes on Narcos. They're still probably my favourite because of how much I love that show. I hope I've said this before but if I haven't, awesome intro.
I'm so happy you're back to creating content, you truly have a gift my friend. Thank you
Probably my favorite Daniel Day Lewis project. That ending utterly destroys and inspires.
Puts tears in my eyes every time. I don't know why everyone puts "My Left Foot" above "The Crucible". It's one of the best performances he's yet given.
I agree. I also love The Last of the Mohicans!
@@twinkletoes6290 beautiful film, beautiful choice, friend
@@JimmySteller tbf damn near every performance by that man is flawless its hard to choose a favourite
The fact that Arthur Miller was married to Marilyn Monroe is the most unbelievable thing about all of this.
On top of that, according to my English teacher, the two remained friends until her death even after they divorced.
@@Annie-xh2dt 'Woman are attracted to intelligence' - has to be the biggest cope ever.
They're obviously attracted most of all by power. What man can by them the most powerful vacuum cleaner? The most powerful dishwasher? Only a man with power.
@@Annie-xh2dtalso Marilyn, despite type casting, was very intelligent and just couldn't break this type despite trying to because by then no one would have taken her seriously.
I always thought the feckless Abigail paralleled Miller's view of Marilyn.
Random fact: Miller first met Marilyn Monroe on the film set of 'As Young as You Feel' in 1951. Monroe was crying because her agent had passed away. When Miller saw her, he declared “You’re the saddest girl I’ve ever met.” Surprisingly, Monroe responded with “You’re the only one who ever said that to me.” Considering the torture that Monroe went through in life, it doesn't surprise me that she'd be drawn to a guy who saw her for who she was rather than what she looked like.
I will never forget my English teacher describing the “witch ceremony” as a “naked twerk dance party” in the woods. Love you to this day mister bane 😂
His name was seriously Mr.Bane? That's awesome.
@@imyourdaddy5822 100% true story. One of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Took a subject I didn’t like and made me love it
Naked dance twerk party lol
_YOU MERELY ADOPTED THE SUBJECT_
A history buffs Halloween episode!? Christmas came early boys!
The Salem Witch Trials is the embodiment of the saying: "It's difficult to win an argument against a smart person, but it's impossible to win an argument against idiots"
15:04 😅 completely the opposite. Plymouth women enjoyed extensive property and legal rights and could be signatories on contracts, something that European women would not enjoy legally. They also within puritanism had the unusual belief at the time that women were equal before God as men were. Here's the source:
Demos, John (1970). A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony
He throws a lot of the old cliches around in this one, doesn't he?
There's an interesting bit of casting in this movie: Paul Scofield, who plays Danvers here, is probably most famous as Thomas More, in "Man for All Seasons", where More is more or less in John Proctor's place.
I’m so excited for @HistoryBuffs to review Napoleon after it comes out. I’m soooooo excited!
Looking forward to listening to the Crucible!
Villager: “She turned me into a Newt!”
Knight: “… A Newt?”
Villager: “… I got better…”
John Cleese: “And now for something completely different…”
Actually the scene continues with King Arthur and Sir Bedaviere
My step father was an extra in this movie and the stories he had from this was so interesting
That would be something super interesting to listen to!!
Not London. Not now.
Giles Corey was such a boss. When being pressed to death, he was repeatedly asked to confess and instead, he told them, "More weight!"
I've never seen this. But seeing that Daniel Day Lewis is in it, now it's a must watch. He is such a phenomenal actor. Excellent video!
"BECAUSE IT IS MY NAME BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER IN MY LIFE!!!!" the scene alone is worth the watch
Are those used to produce actors like Daniel Day Lewis?
This is probably one of my favorite movies and plays. I read it in highschool and we were learning the historical context right along with the reading and I revisit the topic regularly and I learn new things every time. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say
Some context should be thrown in that Henry Miller wrote this in 1953 at the peak of the Red Scare and Joseph McCarthy. He didn't intend it to be a completely historically accurate take on the Salem Witch Trials because he was using it as a modern critique of what he saw happening around him in his present day.
Except communists actually existed in Hollywood so the comparison falls flat
I’m about 20 mins into the video and if the whole video goes without him saying anything I’m going to be so upset because that was the whole reason Miller wrote the play.
@@kandikidzora except communists do exist
@@cgmason7568 yes trust me I know. My family had to escape first the bolsheviks and then the former USSR at the start of World War Two. I’m only the 2nd generation born in the states. Still doesn’t change the fact that Miller wrote the play as an allegory for what what going on at that time
Don't you mean Arthur Miller?
I'm really glad you are putting out more content! You are an excellent content creator, historian, and entertainer.
The fact they believe the Devil wasn’t already in Salem is the greatest trick the devil ever did.
Fantastic video! I’d like to suggest the 1981 movie Ragtime. Although largely a historical fashion, some real life events are portrayed, as well as real life historical figures, taking place in New York City of 1906. It’s also the first movie Samuel L Jackson ever did.
You know what would be great, another Daniel Day-Lewis history bluffs! Like "Gangs of New York" and the real Five Points' lifestyle and gangs
Yeah, two thumbs up from me for this idea. And speaking of DDL and Scorsese collaborations: The Age of Innocence would be another good idea.
Lol history bluffs....I mean buffs*
@@redcrabdue1787 never seen that one, I'll have to check it out especially if it has DDL
LINCOLN
I was sure this one had been created but I was thinking of another fav channel wierd history. Check out their gangs of new York video to tie ya over
Sweet a new History Buffs upload AND on Halloween!? Sweet! What more could you ask for! 😊
35:00 “he’ll come for her, and not in the way she wants.” 😂😂😂
Never underestimate the dangers of sanctimonious idiots in large numbers.
Just look at Columbia Uni
@@Nedchilvs Ironic for you to bring that up. The same people protesting at Columbia would be the same people "cancelled" in the 1950's for communist associations - the very catalyst that inspired Miller to write the Crucible's screenplay in the first place.
@@williamwallace9944 Not quite the same from what I can see, the Marxists and their useful idiots are in the majority, it's the same as as everybody thinking Taylor Swift is something great, it's just fashion, it's just jumping on the band wagon.
This movie isnt the most accurate but man its REALLY GOOD! Just another example of why Daniel Day Lewis is arguably the best actor of all time
I half expected Robert Eggers The VVitch for a Halloween timed History Buffs episode but The Crucible does have plenty of real life horror
Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?
That movie isn't based off a piece of history its just a time period. Not really anything to talk about.
@@musstakrakish
But he did a video on Apocalypo which is also a fake story set in a historical setting, so VVITCH should be fine
This channel never fails to make high quality entertaining informational videos
Thank you so much for all the work you do dude. I absolutely love it.
Super interesting video as always! If you could, I’d love to see a history buff video about The Courier. I was so deeply impressed by that movie, from its music to it’s portrayal of paranoia in Soviet Russia and the effect that one truly good person can have.
Nick Hodges, you made my Halloween so much better.
I love this channel cuz it always gives great movie recommendations.
Oh yeah! Salem Witch Trial video on Halloween 🎃
I hope you have the time & opportunity to do The Last Emperor.
Salem resident here. Thanks for showing the many differences between actual history and Miller's adaptation. The Crucible was filmed here on the North Shore, in Ipswich for the exteriors and interior sets at what was the old United Shoe Machinery building in Beverly (now developed as the Cummings Center). The production company donated a lot of the props used to Pioneer Village in Salem, a re-created part of old Salem. The opening scenes of Hocus Pocus were filmed there in the fall of 1992.
Brother, I have to let you know I have loved your videos for a very long time! I've watched pretty much almost all of them and I just really appreciate how in depth you go and I understand there's a lot of work that goes into what you do! Thank you brother and God bless you!
I was going to ask if you could do a video on this!!! I’m so happy! I love studying the Salem witch trials!!!
Great video as always! I live in Connecticut and go to Salem every Halloween season. They put on a ton of festivities and reenactments of the trials. They also provide tours of locations while explaining their significance within that period and it's overall really awesome. I recommend anyone who can should make a trip to Salem, Massachusetts to experience it all and learn some cool things. The cemetery where the "witches" are buried is also really cool!
Thank you for this one. “Witch hunt” has been thrown around a lot and people need to be reminded what it means.
It's a turn of phrase. Butthurt? Blame folks before us all.
A theme demoCRACKS have taken up 😮
I thought Miller also used The Crucible as a criticism of Mccarthyism.
Yup.
@@bleakautomaton4808You're right. He did.
You should do The Aviator! Howard Hughes was such a fascinating character and there’s so much fantastical stuff in the movie that I’d be interested in seeing whether or not is true.
I really can't wait for you to do Napoleon: The Braveheart of this generation. Also, apologies in advnace for what you're about to experience
I like Ridley Scott, but skipped Napoleon because of the reviews. Sounds like I made the right choice 😂
Covered the play and this film in my high school English class and I absolutely loved it. Still a must watch every October.
By far the best RUclips channel. How has no television network pick you up Nick?!
I have asked myself the same question..
The ending editorial comments apply to everyone. Whether right, left, center, religious, or irreligious, do not lose sight of how group think and societal pressures can force you to abandon your principles or sanity.
Except for the fact that the Puritan witch trials was not "group think" or "mass hysteria".
They were legal trials that took months to years to complete, and you had every legal right as with any other criminal accusation. Evidence was gathered, and witnesses were questioned.
And close to 90% of people were found not guilty.
The modern Atheist just love to use my Religion as some evil phantom make-believe horrid misogynistic religious extremists.
Even though it was the Puritans who gave us Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of the Press.
But they need to brand us as the evil wicked ones, so they can take these things and claim it for themselves.
@@HugebullLegal trials where you had to confess to live whether or not you are guilty? Legal......maybe.... Just? Nope!
@@whaaat3632 If you were forced to confess, then why were nearly 90% of the accused let go?
The point and purpose of a trial is to find out the truth. If that truth leads to a confession, then there you have it. We do the exact same thing today.
Pressure is obviously put on the accused. Just like we do today.
You don't end the trial when the accused says he didn't do it. If that was the case, then we would have zero people in prison, and we would live in a lawless society.
There was nothing out of the ordinary with these trials compared to any other accusation and crime.
Great video as always. Would you have any interest in covering the dramatization of the Scopes Monkey Trial "Inherit the Wind"?
The Crucible movie was SO good. Daniel Day Lewis, Wynona Rider and Paul Scoffeld were the highlights for me.
" Because it is my name!! "
Stunning work as always! Please consider doing Andersonville some time!
I don’t know the actor’s name but he plays Judge Danforth exactly as I pictured a 17 century Puritan judge. Daniels Day Lewis was brilliant as always.
Paul Scofield. He starred in a wonderful historical movie called A Man for All Seasons.
I remember reading this play in high school and it automatically became my favorite play. I was also in the play Sophomore year in college where I met my roommate. I was Mercy Lewis and she was Elizabeth Proctor. I also love how this play is an allegory for the Red Scare in the 1950’s. The Salem Witch trials and Mccarthyism are both very similar in how normal people were getting accused for something they never did
I love your videos Nick and I've watched every single one. I'm glad your back!!!
Nice to see Nick on a more regular upload schedule.
This is awesome! I just finished reading this book for my literature class! Love your videos dude!
Happy Halloween HistoryBuffs and To All Boys and Girls ❤🎉
Fine job of explaining this difficult situation. I've lived in Salem for twenty years and given a few tours and have attended many lectures and exhibits. A few points I'd like to get cleared up. The Crucible is both accurate and wildly off. Miller did a lot to spread the dancing in the woods stuff; the play is one of the most often performed in schools so a LOT of people have seen it and fervently believe that "the girls" did in fact dance in the woods and that Tituba taught them spells. That is the most common misconception about the Trials. Arthur Miller did indeed come to Salem to research the Trials and a lot of the dialogue comes directly from the courtroom transcripts. All the dancing in the woods stuff and the romance stuff is made up. All we really know about the Trials is what was said in court, plus some biographical details of the people involved. I can't emphasize this enough!
But still I congratulate you for delving into the Indian wars, the political situation and the tough conditions the Puritans had to face. It was a VERY complicated time. I might add that it seems to me that no one in Salem liked anyone! :)
So glad to see this guy is back and making new videos.
I see you have used clips from Cromwell. Please can you do an episode on it, the political history surrounding the regicide and interregnum is fascinating.
The girls start to gain power. Next... start to slap other girls.
"The circle is complete"
The real lesson to be learned 😅
The perfect timing! My long weekend starts with a fresh History Buff Video and a bowl of hot soup on my lap :D
sounds great, enjoy your long weekend!!
Its Tuesday, how long is this weekend?
@@frenchg0rilla there's a national holiday today in austria and I also took two days off, so yeah 😅👍
Danke! Always enjoy your content man. Really appreciated.