MovieChat Forums > The White Queen (2013) Discussion > Witchcraft

Witchcraft

posted 10 years ago by wtfrubbish
4 replies | jump to latest

I assume the witchcraft was true to the source material (the book), but every time I saw Elizabeth, her mother and/or her daughter (Elizabeth) casting a spell, it really detracted from the show for me.

I don't mind other characters accusing Elizabeth of being a witch (that is true to the time), but to watch her actually cast spells was ridiculous.

I wouldn't even mind them showing her cursing her enemies and leaving the outcome nebulous, but in one scene she cursed Richard's sword arm, and in the next scene Richard says "Ouch, my arm hurts." I mean come on!

Otherwise i thought the series was well acted and very true to history.

[–] There_Is_No_Sayid 10 years ago

It's "true to the source material" in the sense that Jaquetta of Luxembourg was really put on trial for witchcraft. Later, as part of his ploy to gain the crown, Richard III claims that Jaquetta and Elizabeth used witchcraft to get Edward to marry her.

The author of the novels takes the position that the witchcraft accusations were true, since that adds a neat little element to the story.

Unless Alpert's covered in bacon grease, I don't think Hugo can track anything.

[–] wolfbynyt 10 years ago

It didn't add a neat little element to the story. It took what could have been a decent piece of historical fiction and made it into a ridiculous fantasy show. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy both types of shows, but this show seemed to languish between trying to take itself seriously as a historical epic but with fantasy elements thrown in. The two don't mix.

[–] honn-1 10 years ago

I finally learned (a little slow sometimes) that movies/series are usually "based on", which means they should not be taken as fact. Documentaries, on the other hand, should rely strictly on fact. Once I drummed that into my own head, I learned to relax and enjoy "based on" shows. If I become interested in the person/event as a result, then I look up the facts.

I still feel, however, if a series or movie is to be made about an actual person or event, it should stay as close to the truth as possible.

[–] njgill 10 years ago

I still feel, however, if a series or movie is to be made about an actual person or event, it should stay as close to the truth as possible.

I think this sentiment (which I share) may be one reason the director of "Selma" was denied an Oscar nod.