Witches: Truth Behind The...

©National Geographic
Witches: Truth Behind The...

Synopsis

The Salem witch trials are famous, but throughout history thousands were executed for the impossible crime of witchcraft. Most suspects were poor women, elderly, indigenous people or disabled, unable to defend themselves. Cinematic recreations and expert interviews reveal the truth behind six terrifying true stories of witch trials in Germany, Scotland, England, America, Sweden and Ireland.

Episodes

Season 1
  • Germany: The Witch Hunts Begin

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    Why are witches mainly women and why were they hunted and tried for an impossible crime? The story of Europe’s early witch trials in Trier.

  • Scotland: The King and the Witches

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    The story of the first major witch trials in Scotland and new expert analysis of King James VI of Scotland’s obsession with witchcraft.

  • England: The Witchfinders' Cruel Crusade

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    Two self-appointed witch-hunters investigate and torture so-called witches in exchange for money during the turmoil of England’s Civil War.

  • Sweden: The Legend of Blåkulla

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    An event in Sweden in the 17th Century creates a hysteria driven by terrified parents convinced witches are abducting their children.

  • America: Salem's Hunts and Hysteria

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    Cinematic reconstructions, new analysis and expert interviews shed fresh light on the most famous witch trials of them all in Salem, Massachusetts.

  • Ireland: Possessed By the Devil

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    Cinematic reconstruction, analysis and expert interviews tell the story of demonic possession, witch trials, and punishment 18th century Ireland.