All language subtitles for Der scharlachrote Buchstabe - 1995 - eng

[ Panting ]

[ Panting Continues ]

♪♪ [ Men Singing, Drums ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪ [ Man Vocalizing ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

ARTHUR.

♪♪ [ Continues ]

My brother Metacomet, may
the noble spirit of

you father Massasoit...

soar with the eagles.

METACOMET, SIR,
WITHOUT YOUR FATHER’S
FRIENDSHIP,

NONE OF US
COULD HAVE SURVIVED
EVEN OUR FIRST WINTER.

[ Speaking Algonquin ]

MY FATHER SHOULD HAVE
LET YOU...

[ Algonquin Continues ]
DIE.

[ Algonquin ]
YOU ARE...

[ Algonquin ]
THE ONLY ONE...

[ Algonquin ]
WHO COMES TO US...

[ Algonquin ]
WITH AN OPEN HEART.

[ Algonquin ]
BUT YOUR PEOPLE...

[ Algonquin ]
HAVE MURDERED...
MY FATHER...

[ Algonquin ]
WITH THEIR LIES.

[ Woman ]
MY NAME IS PEARL.

THIS IS THE STORY
OF MY MOTHER, HESTER PRYNNE.

IT WAS THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
1666...

WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN THE
MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY...

FILLED WITH HOPE THAT HERE,
AT LAST, IN THIS NEW WORLD,
[ Man Yelling ]

WOULD COME THE FREEDOM
TO WORSHIP WITHOUT FEAR
OR PERSECUTION.

AH, STONEHALL.
[ Laughing ]

MY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE.

THY YEARS OF TOIL
BECOME THEE.

THY FAME PRECEDES THEE,
SIR.
OHH.

GOVERNOR BELLINGHAM,

MAY I PRESENT
THE REVEREND THOMAS CHEEVER.

[ Bellingham ]
WELCOME, SIR.
’TIS A LONG VOYAGE.

[ Cheever ]
THREE MONTHS AT SEA...

WILL EITHER TAKE AWAY
THY FAITH OR HARDEN IT
TO IRON.

GOVERNOR BELLINGHAM, ALLOW ME
TO INTRODUCE A YOUNG WOMAN
WHO’S BEEN TRAVELING WITH US.

MISTRESS HESTER PRYNNE.

OH. I APOLOGIZE
FOR THE COARSENESS
OF MY HANDS, MISTRESS.

BUT HERE IN THE COLONIES,
EVERYONE MUST WORK.

I LOOK FORWARD
TO THE HARD WORK, GOVERNOR.

AS WE READ IN PSALMS 92,
"I WILL TRIUMPH IN THE WORKS
OF THY HANDS."

AH, THOU CANST QUOTE
THE SCRIPTURES.

AYE, REVEREND,
BOTH TESTAMENTS.

MY HUSBAND TAUGHT ME.

YOU MUST REST,
REVEREND CHEEVER,
AND AFTER,

I LOOK FORWARD TO SHOWING YOU
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
THANK YOU.

THEN ’TIS "GOODWIFE PRYNNE."
YES, YES.

BUT I PREFER TO
BE CALLED "HESTER."
WELCOME, HESTER.

I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN IT
WHEN THE FIRST ONES CAME,
WHEN IT WAS WILD AND UNTOUCHED.

MADAM, YOU WOULD
DO WELL HERE...

TO USE LESS LACE
IN YOUR DRESSMAKING.

INDEED, REVEREND.

[ Stonehall ]
MASTER OF US ALL,

WE GIVE THANKS FOR
ANOTHER BOUNTIFUL MEAL...

AND FOR THE NEWLY ARRIVED
DISCIPLES WHO--

WHO SHARE IT WITH US
THIS NIGHT.

AMEN.
[ All ]
AMEN.

SO, GOVERNOR, I, FOR ONE,
AM IMPATIENT TO KNOW...

HOW YOUR MISSION
TO METACOMET FARED.

WELL, METACOMET
IS NOT MASSASOIT,
MAJOR DUNSMUIR.

I BELIEVE THAT IF
WE RESPECT THE AGREEMENTS
WE MADE WITH HIS FATHER,

WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.

LEST WE SHOULD
GROW COMPLACENT,

OUR WISE GOD
SENDS US A SIGN.

GOVERNOR, WHEN WE SAILED,
YOUR LETTERS ASSURED US WE WERE
AT PEACE WITH THE SAVAGE.

WELL, I FEEL THE DAYS
OF THE SO-CALLED PEACE...

WITH THE WAMPANOAGS
ARE AT AN END.

MAJOR, PLEASE, WE’RE--
[ Chuckling ]

WE ARE FcenterENING
OUR NEW ARRIVAL.

[ All Laughing ]

WE, UH-- WE HEAR
MUCH TALK AT HOME...

ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS
WITH THE PRAYING INDIANS.

I MUST SAY, I’M VERY EAGER
TO MEET YOUR REVEREND DIMMESDALE
AND HIS CONVERTS.

[ Dunsmuir ]
THE RUNTS OF THE LITTER.

DIMMESDALE’S
LITTLE TREASURES.

SOME OF US HAVE
OTHER OPINIONS.

MISTRESS PRYNNE,
I HOPE YOU WILL BE
STAYING WITH US HERE...

UNTIL YOUR HUSBAND’S
ARRIVAL.

YOU’RE MOST KIND,
MISTRESS STONEHALL,

BUT I INTEND TO FIND
A HOUSE OF MY OWN
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

- ON THINE OWN ?
- WHY, YES.

’TIS NOT CONSIDERED FITTING
FOR A YOUNG WOMAN
TO LIVE ALONE HERE.

BUT MY HUSBAND HAS SENT ME
ON AHEAD TO PREPARE A PLACE
FOR HIS ARRIVAL,

SO THAT IS WHAT
I INTEND TO DO.

MISTRESS PRYNNE,
THE RULES WE LIVE BY
MIGHT SEEM ARBITRARY...

TO A NEWCOMER,

BUT WE HAVE LEARNT THE HARD WAY
THAT WITHOUT ABSOLUTE ORDER
IN ALL MATTERS,

WE CANNOT HOPE
TO SURVIVE HERE.

RULES, MISTRESS PRYNNE.

ORDER. SURVIVAL.

WOULD YOU HAVE ME
DISOBEY MY HUSBAND ?

- I WOU--
- REVEREND CHEEVER,

YOU MIGHT ENJOY THE COMPANY
OF MY SON, BREWSTER.

HE STUDIED DIVINITY
AT COLLEGE.

HARVARD WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH
FOR HIM,

SO HE CAME BACK HOME
TO MAKE HIS FORTUNE--

A FLOCK OF MINISTERS’ SONS
ALL MOANING THE LORD’S P-PRAYER
IN THEIR SLEEP.

[ Sighs ]
EVERYBODY MUST FIND
HIS OWN NICHE.

MORNING, MISTRESS PRYNNE.
GOOD MORROW.

[ Bleating ]

[ Bell Clanging ]

WHOA.
[ Horse Snorts ]

SO YOU’VE COME AMONG US
INTENT ON SCANDALIZING
THE TOWN, DO YOU ?

GIDDAP.
[ Horse Whinnying ]

GOOD.

[ Brewster ]
I CONFESS, I’M TIRED
OF BEING ALONE...

IN A SEA
OF YEA-SAYERS.

HA ! WHERE SHALL WE
BEGIN OUR SEARCH ?

[ Hester ]
ON THE CLIFFS
BY THE SEA.

NO.
IT’S OUT OF THE QUESTION.

WHY ?
NO ONE’S LIVED
BY THE SEA...

SINCE THE INDIANS WIPED OUT
BALLINGER’S POINT.

I SAY WE START THERE
FIRST.

[ Man Yelling ]
WELL, IF YOU’VE A MIND TO,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

[ Children Chattering,
Birds Calling ]

[ Girls Shouting ]

OH, BREWSTER,
IS THAT IT ?

OH, IT’S BEAUTIFUL !

[ Pearl ]
I STRUGGLE TO IMAGINE
WHAT HER LIFE WAS...

BEFORE SHE CAME
TO THE NEW WORLD.

WHY DID HER HUSBAND
SEND HER ON AHEAD... ALONE ?

WAS IT A TEST OF HER LOYALTY
OR HER SPIRIT ?

OR WAS IT
AN ASPECT OF HIS NATURE
TO SET TRAPS FOR PEOPLE...

IN THE HOPE THAT THEY
WOULD FALL INTO THEM ?

IT’S PERFECT !

WITH A CART AND A GOOD MUSKET,
I COULD HAVE A HOME HERE.

CART, HORSE,
PITCHFORK, PLOW.

I COULD THINK OF
SO MANY BETTER THINGS TO DO
WITH THESE PRETTY HANDS...

THAN GROW CALLUSES
ON THEM.

I’LL NEED INDENTURED LABOR;
AT LEAST TWO MEN.

THE LAND WILL NEED DRAINING--
YOU ARE HEADSTRONG,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

PERHAPS IT RUNS
IN THE BLOOD.

I’M TOLD YOUR FATHER
WAS OF THE SAME TEMPERAMENT.

IS IT TRUE...

HE WAS IN DEBT
T-TO YOUR HUSBAND AND YOU
WERE MADE THE P-PAYMENT ?

AH, I’VE SAID SOMETHING
TO DISTURB YOU.

I’M SORRY.
I’M TRULY SORRY.

GOD, THOU
ART WONDROUS FAIR.

[ Grunting ]

OHH !

THAT HURT !

GOOD. IT WILL REMIND YOU
NOT TO DO THAT AGAIN.

FAITH ! PRUDENCE !

DID YOU HEAR ?
THAT MISTRESS PRYNNE
HAS A BATHING TUB.

WHAT IS SHE, FRENCH ?

[ Man Yelling,
Laughing ]

[ Man ]
TWO. WILL YOU BID
TWO SHILLINGS ?

WILL YOU BID TWO ?
TWO-AND-A-HALF.

COME ON, GENTLEMEN.
WILL YOU BID TWO-AND-A-HALF
SHILLINGS ?

GOING UP TO THREE SHILLINGS.
DO I HAVE A BID
FOR THREE SHILLINGS ?

THREE SHILLINGS,
THREE SHILLINGS !

ANY MORE NOW ?
ANYONE ELSE ?

GOING FOR THREE SHILLINGS.
ANY OTHER BIDS ?

ALL DONE NOW !
SOLD TO THE GENTLEMAN
FOR THREE SHILLINGS.

NEXT WE HAVE
THIS OTHER ONE--
THOSE TWO.

HOW MUCH TIME LEFT
ON THEIR INDENTURE ?
’BOUT THREE YEARS.

BUT, HUH,
SHOULDN’T YOUR HUSBAND
OR YOUR FATHER...

BE DOING BUSINESS
WITH ME HERE, MISTRESS ?

IS MY MONEY NO GOOD
TO YOU, SIR ?

OH, YOUR MONEY’S FINE
AS WINE IN THE SUNSHINE,
MISTRESS.

IF YOU BUY THEM AT A JUST PRICE,
I’LL THROW IN THIS LITTLE GIRL
WITH THE RED KERCHIEF.

SHE’S A SLAVE.

AH, BUT SHE DON’T SPEAK,
IF THAT BE A PROBLEM.
BORN THAT WAY.

[ Horse Whinnies ]
NAME YOUR JUST PRICE.

[ Bird Chirping ]

[ Chirping Continues ]

WE BEST ACCOMPANY YE
IF YOU’RE GOING
INTO THE FOREST, MISSUS.

DON’T WORRY, MR. BOBBIN.
I SHAN’T GO FAR.

OHH !

[ Chirping ]

[ Birds Squawking ]

[ Girls ]
MISTRESS PRYNNE !
MISTRESS PRYNNE !

WHERE ARE YOU ?
MISTRESS PRYNNE,
WHERE ARE YOU ?

I FOUND HER !
I FOUND HER !

YOU DID NOT !
I DID TOO !

YOU DID NOT.
DID TOO.

MISTRESS PRYNNE,

HAS THOU FORGOTTEN
IT IS THE SABBATH ?

OF COURSE NOT.
FORGIVE ME.

WE HAVE COME BY ESPECIALLY
TO BRING YOU TO CHURCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PLEASE, GO ON WITHOUT ME
AND I WILL FOLLOW AT ONCE.

MAKE HASTE.
[ Shouts ]
YES, SIR.

[ Whinnies ]

[ Whinnying ]

ALL RIGHT, GIRL.

COME ON.
[ Whinnying Continues ]

GOODNESS.

BACK UP. BACK UP.
ALL RIGHT, THEN.
COME ON. BACK UP.

[ Hester Grunting ]

[ Panting ]

COME ON.
COME ON, NOW.
BACK UP.

GOOD MORROW.

[ Grunts ]

MAY I BE OF ASSISTANCE ?

NOT FROM UP THERE.

COME ON.

COME ON.
STEADY. STEADY.

CAN’T SEEM TO MAKE
THIS HORSE UNDERSTAND ME.

HERE. LET ME TRY.

COME ON, GIRL.
COME ON.

COME ON. BACK UP !

COME ON ! COME ON.

[ Whinnies ]
COME ON, GIRL.
COME ON.

[ Grunting ]

[ Panting ]

I’M AFRAID
YOU’RE IN TOO DEEP.

SHE’LL NOT MAKE IT.
NOW LET ME TRY THIS.

[ Grunting ]

I DO HOPE
YOU CAN GET IT FREE.

I’M ALREADY LATE FOR
THE SERVICE, AND AS IT IS,
EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT ME.

[ Grunting ]
I’VE BEEN AWAY AND I’M QUITE
BEHIND ON THE LOCAL GOSSIP.

I BOUGHT THE OLD NEWBERRY PLACE
OUT ON BALLINGER’S POINT.

THEN I...
I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY.

I’VE BEEN TRESPASSING.

THERE’S A PLACE AT THE POINT
WHERE I LIKE TO BATHE.

REALLY ?
WELL, I SHAN’T CHARGE
TOO STEEP A TARIFF.

COME ON, GIRL.
BACK UP.

[ Grunting ]
OH, BACK UP.

ONE, TWO--

[ Cart Creaking ]
[ Laughs ]

TWO, THREE.

[ Panting ]

[ Laughing ]

I’M AFRAID THIS CART
WILL BE STUCK HERE
UNTIL SABBATH NEXT...

UNLESS I CAN GATHER
SOME HANDS TO HELP.

WOULD YOU CARE
TO RIDE WITH ME ?

ON YOUR HORSE WITH YOU ?

AYE.
UNLESS YOU CAN RIDE.

I CAN RIDE.

YOU TAKE MY HORSE,
AND I’LL TAKE YOURS.

THERE’S A, A SHORTER CUT
TO THE MEETING HOUSE,
BUT IT’S DIFFICULT GROUND.

I SHALL MANAGE, SIR.

[ Grunts ]
ARE YOU CERTAIN ?

JUST YOU LEAD THE WAY.

[ Laughing ]

[ Hester Laughing ]

[ Dimmesdale ]
COME ON ! COME ON !

[ Dimmesdale ]
HUP ! HUP !

[ Both Laughing ]

COME ON ! COME ON.

WHOA. WHOA.

[ Panting ]

MAY GOD BE WITH YOU.

I’M SURE HE ALREADY IS.

BUT AREN’T YOU COMING
TO THE--

[ Sheep Bleating ]

[ Bell Tolling ]
[ Murmuring ]

GOOD SABBATH
TO YOU ALL.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW VOYAGERS...

IN THE GREATEST
OF ALL DREAMS,

WE HAVE BEEN SINGLED OUT
LIKE ISRAEL OF OLD...

TO SERVE AS A MODEL.

BUT IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED...

IN BUILDING
OUR NEW JERUSALEM,

OUR CITY ON A HILL,

THEN THE POWER OF LOVE,

YEA, HIS DIVINE LOVE,
MUST BIND OUR HEARTS AS ONE.

ENGLISH AND INDIAN,

GENTRY AND INDENTURED,
FREE MAN AND SLAVE.

AND MAKE OF US AN EXAMPLE...

FOR ALL THE WORLD
TO MARVEL AT AND PROCLAIM,

"HERE...

"IS THE MEASURE
OF PERFECTION.

"HERE...

LIVES GOD’S OWN."

BUT WE ARE NOT SUCCEEDING
IN THAT TEST.

WE ARE FAILING
IN THAT TEST.
AND WHY ?

BECAUSE WE COVET, NAY,

WE LUST AFTER
WHAT IS NOT OURS,

BE IT THE RICH LAND
OF OUR INDIAN BROTHERS,

BE IT FOR GLORY,

FOR PROFIT OR FOR REVENGE.

NEED I READ THE SECRETS
OF EVERY HEART ?

YEA, I WILL
IF YOU WANT.

YEA, I WILL IF YOU WANT.
I WILL LAY OPEN
THY SECRETS...

BEFORE THE EYES OF GOD.
I WILL LAY OPEN
THY SECRETS...

BEFORE THE EYES OF GOD !

"WHATSOEVER THOU LUSTETH
AFTER IS MINE ENEMY,"
SAYETH THE LORD GOD,

"FOR ONLY I SHALL CONSUME THEE;
ONLY I SHALL FILL THEE UP.

"IF THOU FAILEST TO HEED
MY COMMANDMENTS,

"THEN MY FIST
SHALL DESCEND ON THEE...

"LIKE A STONE,

"AND MY SWORD SHALL CUT THEE
INTO BLOODY PARTS.

"AND EVEN THY MEMORY
SHALL BE SACRIFICED
TO THE WINDS...

FOR ALL TIME."

MAY GOD BLESS YOU,

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

[ Congregation ]
AMEN.
AMEN.

ARTHUR, ALLOW ME
TO PRESENT A NEWCOMER
TO OUR CONGREGATION,

MISTRESS ROGER PRYNNE.

MISTRESS ROGER--
AYE, HER HUSBAND,
A MOST RENOWNED PHYSICIAN,

WILL BE JOINING HER--
REVEREND DIMMESDALE
AND I HAVE ALREADY--

I HELPED MISTRESS PRYNNE.
HER CART GOT STUCK IN THE WOODS.

I GREATLY ENJOYED
YOUR SERMON.

IT’S RARE FOR A MAN SO YOUNG
TO SPEAK WITH SUCH FORCE
OF PASSION.

WELL, FOR SOME REASON, I--
I FELT MOST INSPIRED TODAY.

WE WELCOME YOU
AND YOUR HUSBAND...
TO OUR CONGREGATION.

[ Girl ]
MOTHER ! FATHER !
CAN WE PLAY ?

[ Woman ]
CERTAINLY NOT.

AH, THERE YOU ARE, HESTER.

MEET MY FRIEND RUNNING MOOSE.
HE’S OUR SCHOOLMASTER.

AND I’M SURE YOU’D LIKE
SOME REFRESHMENT.
WHY, YES.

DO YOU TEACH THE
ENGLISH CHILDREN AS WELL,
MR. RUNNING MOOSE ?

THEY CALL ME JOHN OR JOHNNY
HERE IN TOWN.

WE TRY OUR BEST,
BUT THE ENGLISH ARE
A BIT SLOW-WITTED.

SLOW-WITTED ?
JOHNNY’S A BIT
OF A JESTER,

BUT HE WAS OUR FIRST
PRAYING INDIAN.
AHH.

AH, MY BEST FRIEND
IN THE COLONY.

- ARTHUR, THIS IS MISTRESS--
- YES, WE’VE ALREADY MET.

EXCUSE ME.

[ Laughing, Chattering ]

SO LIKE HOME.

AND YET BEYOND THOSE TREES,
I SUSPECT A SAVAGE LAND...

OF SAVAGE PASSIONS.
[ Man ]
ALL ?

DARK AND UNTAMED.

OH, REVEREND DIMMESDALE,
HAVE YOU MET OUR YOUNG FRIEND ?

YES, WE DID.
YES, MISTRESS PRYNNE AND I
TRAVELLED ON THE SAME SHIP.

I’M GOING TO MARRY HIM
ONE DAY.
NO, YOU’RE NOT !

I’M GOING TO MARRY HIM,
AREN’T I, MISTRESS PRYNNE ?
MARRY WHOM ?

[ Both ]
REV. DIMMESDALE, OF COURSE.
[ Giggling ]

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE
GREAT AND LAST JUDGMENT.
HMM.

OH, WELL.
A PLATFORM FOR
CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

OH, THEY’RE ALL TRACTS.

HMM.

- THE GOOD WIFE’S MANUAL--
- MANUAL FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY.

I BELIEVE
WE’VE ALREADY MET.

UH, YES. I-I’M SORRY.
I-I DIDN’T REALIZE--

NO, NO, NO. I SHOULD’VE
ANNOUNCED MY PRESENCE.

WH-WHAT ARE YOU READING ?

UH, COMUS.
IT’S BY JOHN MIL--
JOHN MILTON.

- YES, I KNOW.
I-I’VE READ IT.
- HAVE YOU ?

WELL, I’M NOT ALL
COUNTERPANES AND COVERLETS.

IN EVERY SPARE MOMENT,
I AM READING SOMETHING.

I’M THE SAME.

I’VE READ
EVERY BOOK IN THIS ROOM,
SOME OF THEM SEVERAL TIMES.

EVEN THE GOOD’S WIFE’S MANUAL
FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY ?

A MOST EXHILARATING READ.

SO... DID YOU
TRULY ENJOY MY SERMON ?

OH, YES. IT WAS MOST SKILLFUL.
CLEARLY YOUR CONGREGATION
REVERENCES YOU.

OBVIOUSLY WE DON’T COME UP
TO YOUR LONDON STANDARDS HERE
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE WORLD.

ON THE CONTRARY,
I WAS MOVED BY YOUR PASSION,
AS I’VE SAID AND--

AND ?

UH, WELL.

WHEN YOUR FIST
STRUCK YOUR HAND...

AND SLICED THROUGH THE AIR
LIKE A SWORD,

I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING...

WHAT MANNER OF PAIN LAY
BENEATH SUCH FORCEFUL ORATORY.

YOUR TONGUE KNOWS NO RULES,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

AND IF IT DID, REVEREND,
WHAT PURPOSE WOULD IT SERVE ?

AND HERE I THOUGHT
COMPREHENDING GOD WAS GOING TO
BE MY GREATEST CHALLENGE.

YES, REVEREND ?

THIS MORNING IN THE FOREST,
WHY DID YOU NOT SAY
THAT YOU WERE MARRIED ?

WHY DID YOU NOT SAY
YOU WERE A MINISTER ?

GOOD DAY,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

GOOD MORROW,
MISTRESS PRYNNE !

GOOD MORROW.
DO YOU CARE FOR
A CUP OF CIDER ?

WE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS,
IT SEEMS.

DID YOU LIKE THE SERMON
THIS MORNING ?

FROM WHERE I SAT,
IT SEEMED IT DID PLEASE THEE.

I LIKED IT VERY MUCH.

- I THOUGHT THE
YOUNG MINISTER VERY--
- HANDSOME ?

[ Chuckles ]
HARRIET HIBBONS.

RUTH ?

HOW DO YOU DO ?

COME AND MEET
SOME OF THE OTHERS
WHO WERE NOT INVITED...

TO THE GOVERNOR’S
LITTLE SHINDIG.

SALLY SHORT,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

HOW DO YOU DO ?
I WAS ON THE DOCK
WHEN YOU ARRIVED.

MARY ROLLINGS.

UH, MARY DON’T LIKE
TO SPEAK TOO MUCH.

SHE’S ONLY BEEN FREE
FROM THE SAVAGES
THIS HALF YEAR.

AND MATONA, SHE DON’T TRUST
THE ENGLISH, DO YOU, DEAR ?

MISTRESS PRYNNE.

THANK YOU, NO.
I NEVER IMBIBE.

I SEE YOU’VE GATHERED
SOME FINE BALM OF GILEAD,

SHEPHERD’S PURSE,
YARROW.

YOU KNOW YOUR SIMPLES ?

OH, I CAN RECITE
CULPEPER BY HEART.

REALLY ?

WHAT SIMPLES WOULD YOU USE
TO HEAL A BAD BURN ?

WELL, I HAVE SEEN SWEET FERN
WORK MIRACLES,

BUT CULPEPER SUGGESTS
BLACKBERRY AND RED CEDAR.

WELL, YOU HEAR THAT ?

WELL, I FEEL
QUITE FORTUNATE.

MY HUSBAND HAS A VERY
LARGE LIBRARY, AND I WAS
ABLE TO SCHOOL MYSELF.

HOW DO YOU LIKE
OUR NEW JERUSALEM ?

SOBER ENOUGH FOR YOU ?

AYE.

SOBER ENOUGH.

WHAT I MISS
IS THE DANCING.

DANCING ?
[ Laughs ]
WHEN FIRST WE CAME,

WE’D DANCE AROUND
THE MAYPOLE.

FEAST DAYS,
WE’D SING BAWDY SONGS.

PEOPLE WEREN’T AFRAID
TO PLAY THE FOOL.

WE’D TEACH THE BEARS
TO DANCE.

NOWADAYS EVERYBODY’S
GETTING MORE SOUR-FACED
AND PONDEROUS.

AND A WHIPPING POST STANDS
WHERE THE MAYPOLE USED TO BE.

WELL, THERE BE A FEW OF US
WHO HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN
HOW TO LAUGH, EH, GIRL ?

- [ Burps ]
- [ All Laughing ]

IT’S BEEN SUCH A PLEASURE
MEETING YOU ALL.
♪♪ [ Women Singing ]

I’M SORRY
I MUST TAKE MY LEAVE,
BUT I BEST BE ON MY WAY.

I WOULD NOT WANT TO
BE STUCK IN THE WILDS
AT NIGHT.

HOW STRANGE THAT SOUNDS
TO ME.

THE WILDS AT NIGHT
ARE MY NATURAL TERRITORY,

PARTICULARLY WHEN
THERE’S A FULL MOON.

DO YOU TRY TO FRIGHTEN ME
WITH THIS WITCH TALK ?

NOT SO, MISTRESS PRYNNE.

BUT I CAN SEE
WHAT OTHERS CANNOT.

IT BE A CURSE,
TO BE SURE,

BUT I KNOW
THE HEARTS OF MEN.

AND WHAT DOES MY HEART
TELL YOU ?

YOU’RE A MOST COMELY WOMAN,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

BUT LET A MAN TREMBLE
WHO WINS THE HAND OF A MAID,

BUT POSSESSES NOT
THE FULL PASSION
OF HER HEART.

MY HUSBAND HAS NOTHING
TO FEAR.

GOOD DAY, MISTRESS HIBBONS.

GOOD DAY,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

[ Men Talking
Quietly ]

OH, GOOD DAY,
GOODY GOTWICK.

I’VE BROUGHT THESE
FOR REV. DIMMESDALE.

THE REVEREND BE OCCUPIED
WITH HIS WORK, MISSUS.

LEAVE THEM BOOKS ON THAT TABLE.
I’LL BE SURE HE GETS THEM.

GOOD MORROW,
REVEREND DIMMESDALE.

OH, GOOD MORROW,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

KNOWING HOW YOU HUNGER
FOR NEW READING,

I’VE BROUGHT YOU SOME BOOKS
FROM MY HUSBAND’S LIBRARY.

HMM.
HOW COURTEOUS OF YOU.

PLEASE.

I MUST APOLOGIZE
FOR MY FORTHRIGHTNESS
ON SABBATH LAST.

I’VE EARNED MORE THAN
A FEW REPRIMANDS IN MY LIFE
FOR SPEAKING TOO BLUNTLY.

WELL, I OWE AN APOLOGY TOO.

UM, I-I CAN’T UNDERSTAND
WHY I TOOK SUCH OFFENSE...

TO SUCH AN INNOCENT COMMENT.

I-I HAVE WONDERED...

HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO, UH,

SEE SO DEEPLY...

INTO MY NATURE.

PERHAPS I’M A WITCH.

[ Chuckles ]

I MUST BE KEEPING YOU
FROM YOUR CHORES.

OH. THERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE BOOKS,
MISTRESS PRYNNE.

GOOD DAY. OH.

I’M SORRY. MY HANDS
ARE COVERED IN INK.

I’VE BEEN, UH,

HOVERED OVER MY TRANSLATIONS
ALL DAY.

- TRANSLATIONS ?
- AYE.

I’M ATTEMPTING TO, UM,

TRANSLATE THE BIBLE
INTO THE LOCAL INDIAN LANGUAGE,
ALGONQUIN.

WHAT AN AMBITIOUS
UNDERTAKING.

BUT I’M TOLD THE INDIANS
DON’T WANT TO BE GUIDED
BY OUR BIBLE,

THAT WAR WITH THEM
IS INEVITABLE.

SOME THINK THAT WAY,
BUT THEY’RE WRONG.

IT’S JUST THAT THE INDIANS,
HAVING BEEN BORN
FROM A CERTAIN LIBERTY,

THEY TAKE NOT EASILY
TO THE BRIDLE AND BIT.

NO MAN SHOULD.

YES.

[ Stifled Laugh ]

[ Laughing ]

WHAT ? WHAT ?
[ Laughing Continues ]

YOU KEEP PUTTING INK
ON YOUR FACE.

I DO ? I’M SOR--
[ Laughing Continues ]

UM.

OH.

THERE YOU ARE.

I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY
THE BOOKS.

UH, D-- THANK YOU.

GOOD DAY.

GOOD DAY.

MITUBA.

’TIS ONLY A BATHING TUB,
NOT A TOY OF SATAN.

[ Sea Gull Calling ]

MISTRESS PRYNNE.

OHH !

REVEREND DIMMESDALE.

YOU FRIGHTENED ME.

UH, I’M SORRY.
I DIDN’T MEAN TO.

NO.
IT’S A WONDERFUL SURPRISE.

IT’S BEAUTIFUL.
AH, YES,
AND FRIGHTENING.

JUST AS EDEN
MUST HAVE BEEN.

SO UNTOUCHED.

DOES IT NOT CRY OUT
WITH ITS PROMISE...

THAT HERE EVERYTHING
CAN BEGIN ANEW ?

I BROUGHT BACK
YOUR BOOKS.

YOU COULDN’T HAVE READ
THEM ALL IN FOUR DAYS.

NO, I DID. I DID.
I READ MOST OF THEM TWICE.

THANK YOU.

YOU’RE WELCOME.

FAREWELL.

HESTER, I-I’M NOT
THE MAN I SEEM.

I’VE LIVED IN THIS TOWNSHIP
MY WHOLE LIFE,

MY PURPOSE CLEAR.

BUT NOW I WOULD RISK
EVERYTHING-- MY LIFE,
MY MINISTRY, MY SOUL--

JUST TO SPEND A FEW MOMENTS
ALONE WITH YOU.

GOD HELP ME, HESTER,
I LOVE THEE.

GOD HELP ME,
I LOVE THEE TOO.

OH, GOD, HAVE WE LOST
OUR WAY ?

NO.

I DREAMED OF THEE
SPEAKING THY HEART.

I HAVE PRAYED FOR IT
EVEN AS I HAVE DREADED IT.

WAS I ALIVE
BEFORE I LAID EYES
ON THEE ?

WHAT SHALL WE DO ?

I KNOW NOT.

SAY SOMETHING TO END IT,
FOR I-- I HAVE NOT THE POWER.

NOR I.

NAY.

WE COULD BE HANGED
FOR THIS.

I-- I’VE PUT YOU
IN TOO MUCH DANGER.

AND I MUST END IT
BY WALKING AWAY NOW AND NEVER
SPEAKING WITH YOU AGAIN.

GO, THEN.

DO AS YOU PROMISED.

[ Sighs ]

[ Sea Gulls Calling ]

[ Cheering ]
♪♪ [ Drums, Flute ]

♪♪

[ Cheering Continues ]

[ Pearl ] THROUGHOUT
THE LONG SUMMER, MISTRESS PRYNNE
AND REVEREND DIMMESDALE...

AVOIDED EACH OTHER
AT ALL COSTS.

MISTRESS PRYNNE
RARELY VENTURED INTO TOWN...

AND THE REVEREND
ESCAPED INTO THE WILDS
WITH ONLY THE INDIANS...

AND THE FAITHFUL
JOHNNY SASSAMON
FOR COMPANY.

[ Cheering ]

AND SO THE COLONY HELD
ITS ANNUAL ELECTION DAY
AS USUAL,

NO ONE THE WISER THAT
THERE EXISTED AMONG THEM...

TWO HEARTS STRUGGLING
AGAINST A LOVE...

THAT GREW STRONGER
WITH EACH PASSING DAY.
[ Man ] COMPANY, HALT !

[ Shouting
In Algonquin ]

JOHNNY SASSAMON, REVEREND,
[ Algonquin Continues ]
...INTREPID.

- WHAT’S HE SAYING,
ARTHUR ?
- [ Sighs ]

THE TARRANTINES ATTACKED
AN ENGLISH SHIP,

THE INTREPID.

ALL WERE MASSACRED.

PRYNNE, ROGER R

PRYNNE.

DR. ROGER PRYNNE.

MISTRESS PRYNNE.

UH, I’M HERE
AS YOUR MINISTER.

COME IN.

THERE WAS AN ATTACK,
AN INDIAN ATTACK,

ON ONE OF OUR SHIPS.

THEY SAY THAT, UH,

[ Clears Throat ]
ALL ABOARD WERE MASSACRED.

I REGRET TO BE THE--
THE ONE TO BRING YOU
THIS SAD NEWS.

I’LL-- I’LL LEAVE YOU
TO YOUR MOURNING.
NO.

ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY
CERTAIN NONE SURVIVED ?

THEY SAY THAT THE TIDE
WASHED AWAY THE BODIES.

OH, GOD FORGIVE ME.

I HAVE PRAYED FOR SO LONG
TO BE SET FREE.
NO.

YOU DID NOT CAUSE
HIS DEATH, HESTER.

GOD TOOK YOUR HUSBAND.

YES, BUT WAS IT
IN ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS ?
DOES HE WORK LIKE THAT ?

[ Sighs ]
PERHAPS.

IF, IN HIS EYES,
THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY
THAT WE COULD BE TOGETHER.

I MUST KNOW
WHAT THE LAW IS.

THE PERIOD OF MOURNING--
HOW LONG MUST ONE WAIT ?

ONE MONTH, SIX MONTHS,
WHAT ?

WELL, IN CASES WHERE THERE’S
NO ABSOLUTE PROOF OF DEATH,

SEVEN YEARS MUST PASS
BEFORE WE ARE FREE
TO BE SEEN IN PUBLIC.

[ Gasps ]
SEVEN YEARS ?

AYE.

[ Loud Thump ]

[ Moaning ]

[ Panting ]

[ Moaning ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Panting ]

[ Panting Continues ]

[ Speaks Algonquin ]

Greetings Metacomet.

We have been enemies.

But now Tarrantine and
Wampanoag must unite

to fight the greedy English

after they push us into the sea.

So we bring you this gift...

...an English Medicine Man.

[ Grunts ]

Let us unite.

What is you answer?

- [ Whooping ]
- RELEASE ME OR THE ARMY
WILL FOLLOW.

[ Whooping Continues ]

[ Women Shouting ]

WERE THE INDIANS
CRUEL TO YOU, MARY ?

AFTER MY
LITTLE ONE DIED,

THEY TREATED ME
REAL FAIR AND SQUARE.

IF TRUTH BE TOLD,

WHAT’S CRUEL IS HOW
YE FOLKS HAVE TREATED ME
SINCE I COME HOME.

I DIDN’T DO NOTHIN’
THAT WASN’T FORCED UPON ME.

JUST THE THOUGHT OF
BEING TAKEN BY A SAVAGE...

MAKES ME SICK
TO MY STOMACH.

WELL, THEY DO IT
ON THE BACKS
OF THEIR HORSES,

RIDING LICKETY-SPLIT
ACROSS THE LAND.

[ Women Laughing,
Chattering ]

HESTER,
YOU ALL RIGHT ?

YES, I’M WELL.
JUST TIRED.

MARY’S RIGHT.

YOU CALL THEM
SAVAGES ?

I COULD TELL YOU
A THING OR TWO ABOUT
YOUR LATE HUSBAND...

BEFORE HE TIED THE KNOT
WITH YOU.
[ Women Gasping ]

YOU STUPID SLUT.

HAROLD WOULD NEVER
HAVE HAD NOTHIN’ TO DO
WITH NO WHORE.

OH, YOU THINK NOT ?

I’VE EVEN SEEN ONE OF
YOUR WINDY MINISTERS...

POKIN’ AN INJUN GIRL.
[ Women Gasping ]

AND STANDIN’ ON A BIBLE
SO HE COULD ROGER HER BETTER.

THEY ALWAYS SAID
THE SCRIPTURES
SHOULD UPLIFT YOU.

[ Laughing ]

I REFUSE TO BE IN
THE SAME ROOM WITH THOSE WHO
WOULD MOCK THE HOLY BOOK.

WELL, WELL.

SHE’LL NOT BE
COMING BACK SOON.
GOOD RIDDANCE TO HER.

WE QUAKERS BELIEVE
THAT THE SCRIPTURES
BE NOT RELIGION IN ITSELF,

BUT ONLY THE CEREMONY
AND HISTORY OF IT.

I AGREE.

FOR ARE NOT THE LAWS OF MEN
BUT THE IMAGINATION
OF MORTALS...

AND OUR INNER SPIRIT
THE TRUE VOICE FROM HEAVEN ?

HESTER, I PRAY
YOU’RE NOT SUGGESTING
YOU TALK DIRECTLY TO--

TO THE DEITY ?

DON’T YOU KNOW THAT ONLY
WELL-PAID BIBLE-THUMPERS
CAN DO THAT ?

[ Women Giggling ]
HAVE A CARE, CHILD,

OR THEY’LL BE
TALKING OF THEE
THE WAY THEY TALK OF ME.

WELL, I KNOW SOME CONSIDER IT
BLASPHEMOUS TO SAY THIS,
BUT I DO TALK TO GOD.

I HAVE SINCE I WAS
A SMALL CHILD.

AND HE ANSWERS ME.

[ Horse Snorts ]

[ Vomits ]

[ Coughs ]

MRS. ROGER PRYNNE.

BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR OF
THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY,

YOU ARE ORDERED TO APPEAR
BEFORE THE ELDERS
AND MAGISTRATES...

AT 8:00 TOMORROW MORN.

DO NOT BE TARDY.

[ Bellingham ] MISTRESS PRYNNE,
THESE GENTLEMEN LAY A CHARGE
OF HERESY AGAINST YOU.

DID YOU TELL THE OTHERS
THAT THE LAWS OF MEN ARE BUT
THE IMAGINATION OF MORTALS ?

[ Hester ]
IT IS THE MEETINGS
YOU CALL HERESY ?

LASCIVIOUS TALK
OF FORNICATION WITH SAVAGES;

FALLEN WOMEN
TELLING BLASPHEMOUS LIES
ABOUT GOOD CITIZENS.

THIS IS WHAT COMES
WHEN THERE IS NO
QUALIFIED MAN PRESENT...

TO GUIDE THESE WOMEN IN
THEIR UNTUTORED CHATTERINGS.

SIR, IF THE DISCOURSE OF WOMEN
IS "UNTUTORED CHATTERINGS,"

WHY THEN DOES THE BIBLE
TELL US THAT WOMEN SHALL
BE THE TEACHERS OF WOMEN ?

HESTER, WE ASK THAT
YOU CEASE THESE MEETINGS.

NO, SIRS, I WILL NOT
STOP THE MEETINGS.
ARTHUR. PLEASE JOIN US.

I’VE JUST RETURNED
FROM FISHING, SIR.

- YOU MAY THANK ME
TO REMAIN WHERE I AM.
- [ Chuckling ]

VERY WELL. BE SEATED.
LET’S CALL
OUR FIRST WITNESS.

[ Bellingham ]
IS IT TRULY OF IMPORT ?

[ Cheever ]
YES. YES, IT IS
OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE.

[ Bellingham ]
VERY WELL.
CALL YOUR WITNESSES.

[ Cheever ]
GOODY GOTWICK.

STAND UP, PLEASE, GOODY.

NOW, YOU REVEALED TO MY WIFE
SOMETHING MOST DISTURBING.

TELL ME,
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN...

A WOMAN...

VOMITS...
IN THE MORNING HOURS,

AND VOMITS ON
MORE THAN ONE OCCASION
IN THE MORNING HOURS ?

I ONLY SAW HER
THE ONE TIME.

YES ? AND ?

[ Clears Throat ]

UM, ’TWAS GOODY MORTIMER
SAW HER GET SICK
IN THE MARKET.

ARE YOU WITH CHILD,
MISTRESS ?

ANSWER YOUR BETTERS,
WOMAN !

DO YOU CARRY A BASTARD CHILD
IN YOUR WOMB ?

YES.

WHO IS THE FATHER ?

YOU ARE AN INNOCENT
NEXT TO THE ONE WHO WOULD
HIDE BEHIND YOUR SKIRTS.

WE WOULD HANG
THAT FORNICATOR
BY THE NECK.

I WILL NOT REVEAL
THE NAME, SIR.

[ Stonehall ]
I WILL TELL YOU HIS NAME.

HIS NAME IS LUCIFER.

HIS NAME IS LUST.

HIS NAME IS LEGION !
[ Pounds Desk ]

GENTLEMEN.

[ Gasps ]
[ Footsteps ]

GENTLEMEN, WHAT DO YOU HOPE
TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS ?

YOU KNOW VERY WELL THERE’S
NO LAW AGAINST PREGNANCY.
BUT THERE IS AGAINST ADULTERY.

IT WOULD ONLY BE ADULTERY
IF HER HUSBAND WOULD PROVE
TO BE ALIVE.

[ Men Murmuring ]

[ Thinking, Echoing ]
"ANSWER YOUR BETTERS, WOMAN !

ARE YOU CARRYING
A BASTARD CHILD ?"
[ Echoing Voices Overlapping ]

WE COULD INCARCERATE HER
UNDER ADULTERY,
AND THE MEETINGS WILL STOP.

GOVERNOR, IF YOU KNEW
THE NAME OF THIS MAN,

WOULD YOU STILL PLACE
HESTER PRYNNE BEHIND BARS ?

- HAS SHE CONFESSED
THE NAME TO YOU ?
- I’VE CONFESSED NOTHING.

HE KNOWS NOTHING OF
MY PERSONAL AFFAIRS !
GIVE US THE TRUTH !

HE SPEAKS AS MY PASTOR
TO SPARE ME YOUR HARSH HAND,

BUT I FEAR NOT
YOUR PUNISHMENTS.

I LOVE AND HONOR THE MAN
WHO HAS FATHERED THIS CHILD.

AND SAY
WHAT YOU WILL,

HE IS MY TRUE
HUSBAND FOR LIFE,

AND I SHALL FURNISH YOU
WITH NO INFORMATION
WHICH MIGHT CAUSE HIM HARM.

VERY WELL, MISTRESS,
YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE.

YOU ARE UNDER ARREST.

[ People Shouting, Talking ]
[ Woman ]
IT’S HESTER !

GOD FORGIVES YOU !

AND THERE’S
YOUR NEW JERUSALEM !

JUST LET ME HAVE
A MOMENT ALONE
WITH THE WOMAN, MAN !

I’M SURE I’D DRAW
THE NAME FROM HER.

VERY WELL, ARTHUR.
YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR CHANCE,
I PROMISE.

GENTLEMEN !

I HAVE CONSIDERED
ALL THE ARGUMENTS
AND I HAVE DECIDED...

THAT ARTHUR MUST BE ALLOWED TO
SPEAK TO MISTRESS PRYNNE ALONE.
NO, NO, NO.

[ Door Unlocking,
Opening ]

HESTER PRYNNE,
PLACE YOUR HAND
ON THE GOOD BOOK...

AND LET US PRAY.

LET US PRAY.

WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME ?

I WAS AFRAID.

I THOUGHT IF I WORKED HARD
I WOULD MISCARRY.

I MUST GO TO BELLINGHAM
WITH THE TRUTH.

NO, YOU MUST NOT. YOU ARE
A SAINT TO THESE PEOPLE;
THEY WILL HANG YOU--

THEN I MUST HANG
THAN TO ALLOW YOU TO
SUFFER IN MY STEAD.

THEY’VE NO CASE AGAINST ME.
WHEN THEY’RE TIRED OF MAKING
THEIR POINT, THEY’LL RELEASE ME.

HESTER, I KNOW STONEHALL.

YOU’VE CHALLENGED HIM,

AND HE WILL NOT RELEASE YOU
UNTIL YOU ARE HUMBLED
AND HAVE RECANTED YOUR SINS.

DO YOU BELIEVE
WE’VE SINNED ?

UH... I KNOW NOT.

WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN US
HAD A CONSECRATION
OF ITS OWN.

WE FELT IT SO.
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ?
I’VE NOT FORGOTTEN !

OH, ARTHUR, I KNOW
YOU WANT TO SPEAK OUT.

EVERYTHING IN YOUR NATURE
CRIES OUT FOR IT.

BUT YOU RISK YOUR OWN RUIN
AND DENY ME MY RIGHT TO
STAND UP TO THIS HYPOCRISY.

[ Bellingham ]
SOLDIER !

IF I NEED YOU TO SPEAK,

I WILL TIE THIS HANDKERCHIEF
FROM THE WINDOW.

I LOVE THEE, WOMAN.

BUT YOUR STRENGTH
FRIGHTENS ME.

I’LL DO WHAT YOU ASK.

[ Cell Door Opens,
Hinges Squeak ]

AMEN.

GOD BE WITH YOU,
HESTER PRYNNE.

I’M SURE
HE ALREADY IS.

[ Dimmesdale ]
GENTLEMEN,
MISTRESS PRYNNE...

HAS BEEN IN THAT PLACE
FOR OVER FIVE MONTHS...

WITHOUT ANY
LEGAL JUSTIFICATION.

EVEN IN BACKWARD PLYMOUTH
THEY REGARD OUR TREATMENT
OF THIS WOMAN AS BARBARIC !

I WOULD LIKE
NOTHING MORE THAN
TO FREE HER, ARTHUR.

AT HOME I RECEIVE
NO PEACE ON THIS ISSUE.

THE PEOPLE HAVE WATCHED US
GO TO HER WEEK AFTER WEEK, CAPS
IN HAND, ONLY TO BE TURNED AWAY.

THE WOMAN IS UNBENDING,
UNREPENTANT.

SHE IS VERY FORTUNATE
WE HAVE NOT HAD HER
BEATEN PUBLICLY.

I’M SURPRISED AT YOU,
REV. CHEEVER; YOU CAME HERE
A MAN OF REASON.

I CAME HERE, SIR,
EXPECTING TO FIND
SOME SEMBLANCE OF ORDER.

INSTEAD I FIND
A DEN OF FACTIOUSNESS.

NOW, SIR, IF YOU DO NOT
STEM THIS DISSENT,

MY WIFE AND I HAVE DECIDED
TO RETURN TO ENGLAND...

AND TO TAKE ALL
OUR PARISHIONERS WITH US.

IF ONLY SHE WOULD
GIVE US A SMALL SIGN
OF CONTRITION, ARTHUR.

[ Pearl ]
HAD IT BEEN UP TO HIM,
MY FATHER WOULD HAVE ENDED IT...

AND REVEALED
THE TRUTH OF MY ORIGINS.

NO VISITORS !
STAND ASIDE !

BUT, BOUND BY MY MOTHER’S WISH,
HE COULD NOT.
THIS IS AN INNOCENT WOMAN !

NO VISITORS !

THIS IS AN ABOMINATION !
HE WENT EVERY DAY TO SEE HER;
EVERY DAY HE WAS REFUSED.

HIS EYE
EVER ON THAT WINDOW...

FOR HER SIGN THAT IT WAS TIME
FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD
WITH THE TRUTH.

[ Panting ]

[ Groans ]

[ Groaning Intensifies ]

[ Weeping ]

[ Whooping ]
♪♪ [ Drum ]

[ Prynne Whooping ]

[ Whooping Continues ]

[ Pearl ] HAD THERE BEEN
FLASHES OF PRYNNE’S UNSTABLE
NATURE BEFORE IN ENGLAND,

NO ONE KNOWS.

BUT NOW,
FREED FROM PURITAN SOCIETY,

HE WAS WITH
INCREASING REGULARITY SEIZED
BY SPIRITS SO POWERFUL...

THEY WERE TERRIFYING
EVEN TO THE INDIANS.

[ Prynne Whooping ]

He has a ghost in him.

He'll bring us bad luck.

Send him home.

FORGIVE ME, LORD,

FOR I HAVE TURNED FROM THEE,
MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

FORGIVE ME.

BRING ME BACK
TO THY BOSOM.

[ Groaning ]

GOD’S TEETH, CHILD,
HOW COULD THEY
LEAVE YOU THUS ?

OH, HARRIET,
THANK GOD YOU’RE HERE.

SIX MONTHS
AND NOT ONE VISITOR.

NOW, NOW,
SOME OF US CAME, MY DEAR,
BUT WE WERE TURNED AWAY.

THAT SLAVE OF YOURS
CAME EVERY DAY.
HOW QUICK ARE THE PAINS ?

THEY’RE NOT STOPPING.

HERE, NOW.
TAKE A SIP OF THIS.

I WARRANT YOU WON’T REFUSE
MY CIDER THIS TIME.

REV. DIMMESDALE TRIED ALL WAYS
TO GET YOU SET AT LIBERTY.
[ Groans Loudly ]

ANOTHER ?
YES.

ALL RIGHT, MY DEAR.
THERE, NOW, BREATHE DEEP,
BREATHE DEEP.

I’M HERE. HOLD ONTO ME.
GOOD GIRL. EASY, EASY.
[ Straining, Groaning ]

NOW, LET ME SEE.
LET ME SEE.

ALL’S WELL.
ALL’S AS IT SHOULD BE, NOW.
IT’S CLOSE.

IT’S VERY CLOSE.
COME, MY DEAR, IT’S TIME.

UP YOU SIT.
THERE’S A GOOD GIRL.

MOVE DOWN A LITTLE.
GOOD.

NOW THIS CHILD
IS READY TO BE BORN.
WE’VE WORK TO DO.

THERE.
[ Panting ]

I DID NOT THINK THEY’D
KEEP ME HERE SO LONG.

OH.
WELL, I’LL SAY THIS:

YOU MUST HAVE
A WILL OF IRON.

BUT WHEN YOU
TAKE ON THE MEN,
IT BE TO THE DEATH.

[ Groaning ]
OH ! EASY !
ALL RIGHT, MY DEAR.

NOW, NOW, BREATHE DEEP.
CHIN DOWN.

BEAR DOWN HARD.

[ Straining ]
MORE. AND HARDER.
GOOD GIRL !

GOOD GIRL. GOOD.
THAT’S IT, THAT’S IT.

EASY, EASY.
EASY, EASY.
[ Straining Continues ]

GOOD, GOOD.
OHH ! OHHH.

[ Panting ]

[ Grunting ]
ARE YOU SURE
GOD’S NOT PUNISHING ME ?

TO BE SURE,
HE’S PUNISHING YOU, WOMAN.

HE BE GIVING YOU
A CHILD.

IT’S COMING !
[ Grunting ]
NOW, GENTLY, GENTLY.

THE HEAD IS COMING.
I SEE IT.
OHH ! YES ! YES !

THE HEAD IS THROUGH !

[ Breathing Heavily ]
NOW, EASY, EASY.
EASY.

[ Straining Hard ]
WE’VE GOT
THE SHOULDERS !

[ Straining Stops,
Panting ]
OHH !

OHH ! YES ! YES !
SHE’S HERE !

OHH, THANK YOU, GOD.

OHH ! OHH !

[ Laughing ]
[ Hiccup ]

[ Coos ]

OH, YES.
[ Hiccup ]

OH, LITTLE PEARL.
[ Coos ]

YES. YES, MY--

[ Sobbing ]
SHE’S HERE.

OH, SHE’S HERE.

SIT THERE,
MISTRESS.

PROCEED, REVEREND.

I SHALL HAVE THEM
FETCH FRESH CLOTHES
FOR YOU AND THE BABY.

I BRING GOOD NEWS.

I HAVE PREVAILED
UPON THE GOVERNOR.

YOU ARE TO BE FREED.

BUT BY LAW...

YOU WILL BE BROUGHT
TO THE SCAFFOLD...

FOR REPRIMAND.

HESTER,

WHATEVER IS SAID,

PLEASE... BE AS CONTRITE
AS YOUR CONSCIENCE
WILL PERMIT.

IF NOT FOR MY SAKE,
THEN FOR THE BABE’S.

I BEG YOU,
DO NOT ANGER THEM
ANY FURTH--

[ Beadle
Clears Throat ]

I COME TO BAPTIZE
THE BABE.

[ Gurgles ]

I HAVE DIED
NOT SEEING YOU.

I CAME EVERY DAY.

I BAPTIZE THIS CHILD...

PEARL.

PEARL.

IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER...

AND THE SON...

AND THE HOLY GHOST.

[ Water Pouring ]

MAY THE LORD
BLESS THEE...

AND CARE FOR THEE...

AND WATCH OVER THEE.

AMEN.

FREEING THIS WOMAN...

WILL BE AN INVITATION
TO EVERY WIFE
TO DEFY HER HUSBAND;

EVERY CHILD ITS PARENT.

NO, NO,
SHE SHOULD BE RELEASED.

WHAT ?

HORACE, YOU DON’T
PUT HER IN THE PRISON.

YOU PUT THE PRISON
IN HER...

SO THAT EACH TIME
SOMEONE SETS EYES ON HER,

HER SIN WILL BE MARKED
INTO HER SOUL AFRESH.

CUNNINGLY CONTRIVED,
MY DEAR.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Beadle ] MAKE WAY
IN THE KING’S NAME.

OUR BLESSING
ON THE RIGHTEOUS COLONY
OF MASSACHUSETTS...

WHERE INIQUITY IS DRAGGED
INTO THE SUNLIGHT.

KNOW, ALL MEN,
BY THESE PRESENT,

THAT MISTRESS
ROGER PRYNNE...

HAS BEEN ORDERED
TO BEAR PUNISHMENT...

FOR THE CRIMES OF
FORNICATION AND ADULTERY.

[ Man ]
YOU BRING SHAME UPON
THIS GOOD COMMUNITY !

IF IT BE DETERMINED
AT A LATER DATE THAT
HER HUSBAND BE STILL ALIVE,

SHE MAY FACE
A MORE SEVERE PENALTY,

WHICH IS TO BE HANGED
BY THE NECK UNTIL DEAD.
[ Crowd Shouting ]

[ Beadle ]
PRAY, SILENCE...

FOR HIS EXCELLENCY
THE GOVERNOR !

HESTER PRYNNE,

THOUGH YOU SHOW NO MODESTY
IN YOUR APPAREL,

YET YOU HAVE A CHANCE STILL
TO REPENT YOUR SINS.

[ Shouting ]
YES, HESTER,
REPENT !

[ Shouting Continues ]

CHILD, DO YOU NOT BELIEVE
THAT YOU HAVE SINNED ?

I BELIEVE I HAVE SINNED
IN YOUR EYES.

BUT WHO’S TO KNOW
IF GOD SHARES YOUR VIEWS ?

- WOMAN, TRANSGRESS NOT AGAINST
THE LIMITS OF HEAVEN’S MERCY.
- [ Crowd Shouting Continues ]

GOOD MASTER DIMMESDALE,
YOU ARE HER PASTOR.

SPEAK TO HER,
FOR ALL OUR SAKES !

SOFTEN HER, HER HARDNESS,
HER OBSTINACY !

[ Woman ]
SPEAK !
SPEAK !

[ Woman ]
LISTEN TO THE REVEREND !

[ Bellingham ]
SPEAK TO THE WOMAN,
MY BROTHER.

EXHORT HER
TO CONFESS THE TRUTH.

HESTER PRYNNE,

YOU HEAR WHAT
THESE GOOD MEN SAY...

AND YOU CAN SEE
THE ACCOUNTABILITY
UNDER WHICH I LABOR.

FOR YOUR SOUL’S PEACE,

I CHARGE THEE,

SPEAK OUT THE NAME...

OF YOUR FELLOW SINNER.

BE NOT SILENT...

FROM SOME MISTAKEN PITY
OR TENDERNESS FOR HIM.

FOR, BELIEVE ME,
IF HE COULD STEP DOWN
FROM A HIGH PLACE...

AND STAND THERE BESIDE YOU
ON YOUR PEDESTAL OF SHAME,

IT WOULD BE BETTER...

THAN TO CARRY A GUILTY HEART
THROUGH LIFE.

WHAT CAN YOUR SILENCE
DO FOR HIM...

EXCEPT TO TEMPT HIM,

COMPEL HIM, AS IT WERE,

TO ADD HYPOCRISY TO SIN ?

SPEAK.

SHE WILL NOT SPEAK.

[ Woman ] IN THE NAME
OF THE LORD, NAME HIM !
NAME HIM !

[ Shouting, Yelling ]

SPEAK ! SPEAK !
WHAT IS HIS NAME ?

WHO MIGHT HE BE ?

VERY WELL. BEADLE.

[ Cheever ]
MISTRESS, IF YOU DO NOT
SPEAK OUT THE NAME,

YOU MUST WEAR
UPON YOUR BODICE...

THIS SYMBOL OF
YOUR SINFUL FORNICATION.

[ Crowd Shouting,
Applauding ]

[ Cheering,
Shouting Continues ]

[ Stonehall ]
HEED NOT THIS
FINAL WARNING...

AND FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
YOU WILL BE A PARIAH,

CUT OFF, SHUNNED AND REVILED
BY EVERY MAN, WOMAN
AND CHILD IN THIS TOWN.

[ Shouting Continues ]

WHY DO YOU WAIT ?
PUT IT ON.

FOR ’TIS NOT
A BADGE OF MY SHAME,
BUT YOUR OWN.

[ Woman ]
UNREPENTANT WHORE !

[ Shouting Continues ]

[ Shouting, Applauding ]

NOW IS SHE WITHOUT...

[ Stonehall Continues,
Faint ]

[ Whimpering ]

[ Cocks Hammer ]

WHAT DO YOU WANT ?

HAVE I CHANGED
SO MUCH, MY BELOVED,
THAT YOU WOULD SLAY ME...

EVEN AS I RESURRECT MYSELF
FROM THE DEAD ?

ROGER ?

HESTER.

WAS I EVER UNKIND TO YOU ?

DID I NOT LOVE THEE ?

DID I NOT SET THEE
ABOVE ALL WOMANKIND ?

ARE YOU NOT BOUND TO ME
BY SACRED OATH ?

OR HAS THIS NEW LAND
TURNED THEE INTO A HEATHEN ?

LAY DOWN OUR BED,
WILT THOU, WIFE ?

PRAY FOR THY SINS,
HESTER PRYNNE.

BEG THE LORD TO
FORGIVE THY CORRUPTION.

PRAY, AND I WILL WASH THEE
WHITE AS SNOW.

[ Speaks Algonquin ]

WHITE AS SNOW,
MY LOVE.

OH, YES.
WHITE AS SNOW.

[ Whispering
In Algonquin ]

WHITE AS SNOW.

[ Continues
In Algonquin ]

[ Yells ]

[ Shouting In Algonquin ]

ARTHUR !

HESTER !

OH, THANK GOD YOU’RE HERE.
HESTER, WHY ARE YOU
TAKING THIS RISK ?

I HAD TO WARN YOU;
MY HUSBAND--

OH, ARTHUR,
HE’S ALIVE.

OH, DEAR GOD.

ALIVE ?

NOW WE WILL HANG
FOR CERTAIN.

WHY WOULD YOUR HUSBAND SHOW UP
AT THIS VERY MOMENT IF HE WAS
NOT GOD’S DARK MESSENGER...

SENT TO PUNISH US ?

ARTHUR, YOU MUST LEAVE
THIS PLACE WITHOUT US.

PLEASE. I CANNOT BEAR TO
SEE YOU TRAPPED HERE UNDER
HIS WATCHFUL EYE FOREVER.

HESTER, I CANNOT LEAVE.
I MUST STAY AND WATCH OVER
YOU AND PEARL.

NO !
YOU DON’T KNOW HIM.

HE WILL WAIT FOR US
TO BETRAY EACH OTHER...

WITH THE SLIGHTEST GLANCE
OR THE MEREST GESTURE.

PLEASE, YOU MUST GO.

THIS IS GOD’S PUNISHMENT...

BECAUSE WE TRIED TO RUN
FROM HIS WILL.

[ Door Slams ]

[ Sighs ]

I WILL NOT SAY FAREWELL,
HESTER,

FOR GOD
WILL WATCH OVER YOU.

AND SO WILL I.

KISS PEARL FOR ME...

EACH NIGHT.

’TIS EASY TO SEE
THE MOTHER’S PART IN HER.

IS IT BEYOND
THE PHILOSOPHER’S
RESEARCH, I WONDER,

TO ANALYZE HER NATURE...

AND FROM ITS MAKE AND MOLD
TO GIVE A SHREWD GUESS
AS TO THE FATHER ?

WHAT ARE YOUR
EXPECTATIONS, SIR ?

I DO NOT EXPECT YOUR HEART
TO RETURN TO ME QUICKLY,

BUT I HOPE ONE DAY YOU WILL
DRAW ME AGAIN INTO YOUR HEART’S
INNERMOST CHAMBERS.

GOD HELP ME,
LOVE HAS FORCED MY HEART
TO OPEN TO ANOTHER.

WATCH YOUR TONGUE, WOMAN.

IT IS THIS PHANTOM LOVER
WHO PUTS THESE WORDS
INTO YOUR MOUTH.

WHERE IS HE, WOMAN ?
IS HIS KISS STILL WET
ON YOUR LIPS, ON YOUR BREAST ?

I DEMAND TO KNOW !
IF I COULD SPEND SIX MONTHS
IN A COLD JAIL...

AND NOT TELL
THOSE IRON MEN,

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
I WILL TELL YOU NOW ?

I HAVE GROWN STRONG THROUGH
THESE TRIALS, SIR, AND I AM
NOT THE CHILD YOU MARRIED !

WHY NOT
ANNOUNCE YOURSELF OPENLY
AND CAST ME OFF AT ONCE ?

[ Whispers ]
NO. NO.

I SEEK NO VENGEANCE
AGAINST YOU, CHILD.

BUT THE MAN LIVES
WHO HAS WRONGED US BOTH.

HE BEARS NO LETTER OF INFAMY
WROUGHT INTO HIS GARMENT,

BUT I SHALL READ IT...
ON HIS HEART.

BREATHE ONE WORD TO HIM
OF MY TRUE IDENTITY...

AND YOU WILL BOTH HANG.

AND IF YOU’RE FOOLISH ENOUGH
TO ATTEMPT AN ESCAPE,

YOU’LL BE EASILY TRACKED
AND FOUND. EASILY.

FROM THE SAVAGES...

I HAVE LEARNED PATIENCE,
HESTER PRYNNE.

MMM. GOODY GOTWICK,
THANK YOU.

REVEREND DIMMESDALE,
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE
OUR NEWEST BOARDER,

DR. CHILLING--
CHILLINGWORTH.

CHILLINGWORTH.
YES. YES.

GOOD DAY, REVEREND.

GOOD DAY, SIR.
MMM.

WHAT, UH, BRINGS YOU
TO OUR COLONY, DOCTOR ?

I’M A PHYSICIAN, SIR,
THAT WOULD CLEANSE THE ILLS
OF THE COMMUNITY.

HAVE I SAID SOMETHING
STRANGE ?

UH-- UM--

N-NO.
NO, IT’S JUST, UH--

OH, I’M AMAZED.
[ Chuckles ]

WE HAVE PRAYED...

FOR A SKILLED PHYSICIAN.

MMM.

I SEE YOU’RE
TRANSLATING THE BIBLE
INTO ALGONQUIN.

A MOST DIFFICULT TONGUE
TO MASTER.

IF I CAN BE OF HELP,
REVEREND,

I AM QUITE FLUENT
IN ALGONQUIN.

UH, FLUENT ?

OH, YES.
I WAS A PRISONER
OF THE TARRANTINE.

WHEN I SPOKE IMPROPERLY,
I WAS WHIPPED.

TO BE CERTAIN,
I LEARNED QUITE RAPIDLY.

HOW WERE YOU CAPTURED ?

I WAS WORKING MY FARM
IN VIRGINIA.

THEY CAME, THEY KILLED
MY WIFE ELEANOR,
GOD REST HER SOUL,

AND OUR INFANT SON,

AND SOLD ME
INTO CAPTIVITY.

WELL, UH--

WELL, IT’S A WONDER THAT
YOU’RE NOT CONSUMED WITH,
UH, BITTERNESS AND DESPAIR.

NO, NO, NO.
IN TRUTH, SIR, I AM
IN DEBT TO THE INDIANS.

SOME SAY
THEY ARE SAVAGES,

BUT I FIND TRUE SAVAGERY
TO RESIDE...

ELSEWHERE.

MRS. ROGER PRYNNE.

MISTRESS PRYNNE.

DO YOUR DUTY, BOY.

AND WHAT IS
YOUR DUTY, BOY ?

TO FOLLOW YOU AROUND
IN EVERY PUBLIC PLACE,
MISTRESS.

WELL, AT LEAST
THEY’LL MAKE A PATH
FOR ME.

♪♪ [ Drum Roll ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

♪♪ [ Drum:
Mid-Tempo March ]
[ Woman ] WHAT IS IT ?

[ Crowd Talking,
Murmuring ]

[ Man ] WHORE !
[ Woman ]
GOD WILL PUNISH YOU, SINNER !

JEZEBEL !

[ Man ]
YOU’RE NOT WELCOME HERE !

[ Woman ]
BEGONE, HESTER PRYNNE !

[ Man ]
SHE’S A WHORE !

♪♪ [ Continues ]

SOAP, PLEASE.
THREE PIECES.

[ Talking, Laughing ]

[ Pearl ]
ALTHOUGH HE WORE NO OUTWARD
SYMBOL OF HIS SHAME,

MY FATHER BORE
HIS OWN SCARLET LETTER
ON THE VERY BOSOM OF HIS SOUL.

[ Pearl Crying ]

THE PAIN OF THEIR SEPARATION
MUST HAVE AFFECTED US ALL,

FOR I WAS INDEED
A TROUBLESOME CHILD.

[ Crying Continues ]
HIS HEART ACHING
FOR MY MOTHER,

MY FATHER SOUGHT
TO FILL HIS LONELINESS
IN THE WILDS WITH JOHNNY...

[ Men Yelling ]
AS THEY STRUGGLED
TO KEEP ALIVE THEIR DREAM...

OF BUILDING A BRIDGE
BETWEEN THE ENGLISH
AND THE INDIANS.

JOHNNY, WHY ARE THEY
SO CLOSE TO TOWN ?

THEY SAY THAT OUR PEOPLE
HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP,

SO THEY MUST REMAIN
AWAKE FOR ALL OF US.

I’M WORRIED, ARTHUR.

IS WAR COMING ?

THE GREAT EXPERIMENT
IS NOT WORKING, IS IT ?

YES, HE’S RIGHT.

IF THERE IS A WAR,
HOW DO WE STOP
OUR PRAYING INDIANS...

FROM RISING UP
AND SLITTING OUR THROATS
AS WE SLEEP ?

[ Bellingham ]
FAITH, THOMAS, FAITH.

I KNOW WHAT
WILL STOP THEM.

ARTHUR’S FRIENDSHIP
WITH JOHNNY SASSAMON.

JOHNNY WOULD NEVER
BETRAY ARTHUR.

HE WORSHIPS HIM
AS PETER WORSHIPPED JESUS.

GENTLEMEN. DOCTOR.

IF THERE IS A TRUE WAR,
GOD HELP US ALL,

BECAUSE NEITHER WE
NOR THE SAVAGES
WILL SURVIVE IT.

I SEE THE GOVERNOR HAS
LESS OF AN APPRECIATION
FOR SIGNS THAN YE,

HIS GODLY ADVISORS.

IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.

STRANGELY, THE SAME THING
HAPPENED IN VIRGINIA.

BEFORE THE ATTACK,

THERE WERE SIGNS
THAT WENT UNHEEDED.

OH ? AND WHAT MANNER
OF SIGNS ?

THE BAD WINTER;
THE CROP FAILURES;

FAR TOO MANY QUAKERS
AND FOREIGNERS IN THE TOWN;

SOME MINOR ELEMENTS
OF WITCHCRAFT,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

EXACTLY.
EXACTLY.

OUR FIRST SIGN
WAS THAT MATTER
OF HESTER PRYNNE...

AND HER WOMEN’S
MEETINGS.

AND AFTER THAT,
THE SEVERE WINTER,
THE FAILED CROPS.

YOU SEE, SIR,

MY COLLEAGUE HAS FEARED FROM
THE START THAT IN THE MATTER
OF MISTRESS PRYNNE,

WITCHCRAFT
WAS INVOLVED.

MMM. THEN WHY,
IN ALL THIS TIME,

HAVE YOU NOT TAKEN
THE PROPER MEASURES
TO CLEANSE YOUR COLONY ?

WHAT MEASURES
DO YOU SPEAK OF, SIR ?

DID YOU EXAMINE
THE WOMEN PRESENT
AT THOSE MEETINGS ?

HAVE YOU QUERIED
THE MIDWIFE...

OR INSPECTED THE CHILD
FOR THE WITCH’S MARKS ?

"YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE
VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL.

"FOR THOU ART WITH ME;
THY ROD AND THY STAFF,
THEY COMFORT ME.

"THOU PREPAREST A TABLE
BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE
OF MINE ENEMIES.

"THOU ANOINTETH
MY HEAD WITH OIL;
MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.

"SURELY GOODNESS
AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME
ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE
OF THE LORD FOREVER."

[ Crying ]

THE BABE’S CLEAN
AT PRESENT.

MISTRESS, WE SHALL LEAVE
YOUR CHILD WITH YOU
FOR THE PRESENT.

BUT YOU MUST ASSURE US
IT WILL BE RAISED A CHRISTIAN.

[ Continues Crying ]

YES, YES. OOH.

YES. YES.

[ Stops Crying ]
YES.

[ Rattling ]

I’VE BEEN YOUR FRIEND
TODAY, CHILD, BUT IT
CANNOT ALWAYS BE SO.

NO.

FOR INSIDE ME, I GROW
MORE WRETCHED BY THE DAY.

I YEARN SO MUCH
FOR THEE.

AND I FEAR I MIGHT
DESTROY THE WHOLE WORLD
TO WIN THEE BACK.

COME NOW
AND TELL OLD HARRIET
WHAT’S TROUBLING YOU.

I NEVER IMAGINED...

HOW CRUEL AND CUNNING
THEIR PUNISHMENT COULD BE.

[ Sighs ]

STONEHALL AND CHEEVER
STOPPING TO PREACH AT ME
ON THE STREETS.

THE PEOPLE POINTING
AND SHOUTING,

EVEN THE CHILDREN.

AND THAT HORRIBLE DRUMMER BOY
FOLLOWING ME EVERYWHERE.

PERHAPS IT WAS
ALL FOR NAUGHT.

I WONDER
IF EXISTENCE AS A WOMAN
IS WORTHWHILE AT ALL,

EVEN FOR THE HAPPIEST
OF WOMEN.

COURAGE, CHILD.

TAKE HEART.
AT LEAST YOU’VE KNOWN
WHAT IT IS TO LOVE.

BUT WHAT IF
I’VE REPAID THAT LOVE
BY DESTROYING HIM ?

WHAT IF...

EVERYTHING I BELIEVED
SO STRONGLY WAS A LIE,

VAIN AND SELFISH ?

[ Animal Calling ]

[ Pearl ]
PRYNNE’S PUNISHMENTS WERE
SUCCEEDING IN THEIR CRUEL WORK.

THE SEASONS RAN THEIR COURSE.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM
WAS IMPASSABLE.

MY MOTHER TOOK THE TERRIBLE RISK
OF WRITING TO MY FATHER,

REMINDING HIM TO
HOLD STEADFAST IN THEIR LOVE
AND KEEP HIS SILENCE,

AWARE THAT PRYNNE’S SUBTLE
BUT CONSTANT PRESENCE...

WAS CAUSING AN INNER TORMENT
THAT THREATENED MY FATHER’S
VERY SOUL.

AS FOR PRYNNE,
HIS LUST FOR REVENGE
BEGAN TO FEED ON ITSELF,

SO THAT HE HUNGERED FOR MORE.

GOOD MORROW, MITUBA.

WHAT A PLEASANT DAY
FOR A RIDE.

OH, MITUBA.

YOU’RE RENOWNED IN TOWN FOR
YOUR LOYALTY TO YOUR MISTRESS,
AND NOW I SEE WHY.

WAS YOUR DRY LUNCH
A COMMUNICATION
FROM HER LOVER ?

HMM ?

YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE POWER
TO ARREST YOU AS AN ACCOMPLICE
TO ADULTERY...

AND BRING YOU
BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES
FOR QUESTIONING.

AND SINCE YOU ARE A SLAVE,
THEY MIGHT WELL
WHIP YOU TO DEATH.

[ Grunting ]
EASY ! EASY ! EASY !

I ONLY WANT TO HELP
THE WOMAN WE BOTH LOVE...

TO FREE HERSELF
FROM THE GRASP OF A FIEND.

OH, DEAR LORD,
THIS IS IT !

HE MADE YOU STRIP NAKED
BEFORE HIM, HMM ?

[ Gasps ]
TOTALLY NAKED ?

[ Whimpering ]
WAS THERE A PRESENCE
IN THE ROOM ?

NOW, THINK, THINK !
[ Whimpering Continues ]

HE MIGHT HAVE COME
IN ONE OF HIS MANY DISGUISES.

DID HE COME
AS A BIRD ?
[ Mituba Whimpering ]

AH, A BLACKBIRD !

WAS THE BIRD BLACK ?

[ Mituba Crying ]
OH, GOD,

I FEEL THE PRESENCE
OF LUCIFER !

SAVE YOURSELF, CHILD,
BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !
GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

PLEASE, GENTLEMEN, PLEASE !
ENOUGH. ENOUGH.

ENOUGH.

GO HOME, MITUBA.

YOU’VE BEEN
A WONDROUS HELP.
[ Sniffling ]

COMMEND US
TO YOUR MISTRESS.

GO HOME.

[ Kisses ]

SO THERE IS A MALIGNANCY
TO BE CUT OUT HERE.

BUT WHAT KIND OF WITNESS
WILL A SLAVE BE IN COURT ?

[ Stonehall ]
THE BIRD, OBVIOUSLY,
IS HARRIET HIBBONS.

WHAT IS IT, PEARL ?

[ Gasps ]
FORGIVE ME, HESTER.

HARRIET !
YOURS WAS THE FIRST PLACE
I THOUGHT OF TO HIDE.

WHAT IS IT ?

TH-THE MILITIA,
THEY’VE BROKEN
INTO MY HOUSE.

THEY’RE LOOKING FOR ME
IN THE WOODS.

[ Dogs Barking ]

I’VE BEEN NAMED...

AS A WITCH.
[ Dogs Barking ]

[ Gasps ]
IN THE NAME OF GOD.

[ Barking
Grows Louder ]
WHAT ?

HOLD HERE.
YES, SIR !

WHAT’S THE MEANING
OF THIS INTRUSION,
MAJOR ?

STAND ASIDE, WOMAN.
WE KNOW THE WITCH
IS IN HERE.

THERE’S NO ONE INSIDE
BUT MYSELF, MY CHILD
AND MISTRESS MITUBA.

SO, UNLESS YOU HAVE A WARRANT,
BE GONE.

REVEREND DIMMESDALE.

WHAT’S HAPPENING,
MAJOR ?

IT APPEARS
THAT WE’VE CORNERED
OURSELVES A WITCH.

HMM ? HERE IN
HESTER PRYNNE’S COTTAGE.

WELL, IF THERE IS A WITCH
INSIDE THE HOUSE, MAJOR,

I’M SURE I’LL FIND HER.

AYE.

FRONT AND BACK.
ONE AT THE DOOR.
MAGISTRATE ?

SIR. HUP !

PEARL’S GROWN TALL.

SHE IS AN ELF.
WILLFUL.

DEAR GOD, HESTER.

IT’S BEEN SO LONG.

YOU’RE THIN.

ARE YOU HIDING SOMEONE,
HESTER ?

WHY DO YOU--

WHY ARE YOU RISKING...

FURTHER ANGER
FROM THE ELDERS ?

BECAUSE MISTRESS HIBBONS
IS NO WITCH...

AND SHE’S COMMITTED NO CRIME
BEYOND SPEAKING HER MIND.

WELL, IF SHE IS INNOCENT,

I ASSURE YOU
NO HARM WILL BEFALL HER.

ARTHUR.

AFTER ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED,
HOW CAN YOU STILL TRUST
THESE IRON MEN ?

DO YOU NOT SEE
WHAT IS HAPPENING ?

LAST MONTH
THEY BROUGHT SALLY SHORT
IN FOR QUESTIONING.

THEY HELD HER FOR TWO DAYS.
LAST WEEK IT WAS MARY ROLLINGS.

[ Dimmesdale ]
THEY WERE JUST
QUESTIONING THEM !

- WHAT IS THE CRIME IN THAT ?
- THE CRIME IS
THEY HAD DONE NOTHING !

DO YOU NOT SEE
THAT THIS IS ALL PART
OF SOME MALEVOLENCE ?

WHAT HAS BECOME OF YOU ?

GOD, WOMAN !

[ Door Slams ]

BY ORDER OF YOUR DEMANDS,
I’VE GIVEN UP EVERYTHING
I HOLD SACRED.

I’M IN HELL !

IN THE EYE OF THE ENEMY,
YOUR HUSBAND, WHO LECTURES
AT MY SIDE DAY AND NIGHT...

AND IN THE EYE OF EVERY
PARISHIONER WHO COMES TO ME
TO UNBURDEN THEIR SOUL,

I’M A POLLUTION, WOMAN !
I’M A LIE !

NAY.

THEY ARE THE POLLUTION.
THEY ARE THE LIE.

BUT YOU ARE ALLOWING THEM
TO DESTROY EVERYTHING
THAT IS GOOD IN YOU !

OH, WHAT HAS HAPPENED
TO THE MAN I LOVE ?

DOES HE NOT STILL
LIVE INSIDE THEE ?

OUR LOVE, WOMAN,
WAS A FOLLY.

AND THE VOICE THAT WE HEARD
WAS A FALSE ONE...

AND WE HAVE
BEEN JUSTLY PUNISHED
FOR LISTENING TO IT !

COWARD, BESTOW YOURSELF
WITH COURAGE !

[ Dogs Barking ]

[ Yells ]
HOLD, WOMAN !

[ Man ]
THEY’RE AWAITING
YOUR TRIAL !

[ Man ]
TAKE THE WITCH AWAY.

INTO THE CAGE !
[ Dogs Barking ]

WHAT HAVE I BECOME ?

[ Wind Howls ]

[ Pearl ] TO HAVE BETRAYED
THE ONLY PERSON ON EARTH
WHO HAD SHOWN HER KINDNESS--

WHAT COULD FEEL WORSE
THAN THAT ?
MITUBA.

POOR MUTE MITUBA.

WHEN PRYNNE SUMMONED HER,
SHE WANTED ONLY TO
UNDO THE HARM...

SHE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED
HER MISTRESS.

[ Gavel Banging ]
[ Man ]
PEACE IN THIS HOUSE !

PEACE, I SAY.
PEACE !

YOU FIND THESE PROCEEDINGS
HUMOROUS, MISTRESS HIBBONS ?

DO YOU EXPECT ME
TO TAKE ’EM SERIOUSLY ?

SEEING A BUNCH
OF GROWN MEN POKING
AROUND MY PRIVATE PARTS,

LOOKING FOR WITCH’S MARKS ?
[ Crowd Gasping ]

[ Crowd Murmuring ]

[ Bellingham ]
THE SLAVE MITUBA--
PEACE, I SAY ! PEACE !

I’M AFRAID A WITNESS,
THE SLAVE MITUBA,

HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD.

[ Woman ]
WHAT ?
[ Crowd Murmuring ]

[ Woman ]
GOVERNOR, YOU SEE ?
I TOLD YOU SHE WAS A WITCH !

MISTRESS HIBBONS
IS A WITCH !

[ Man ]
SHE IS A WITCH !
WITCH ! WITCH !

[ Crowd Shouting ]

[ Gavel Pounding ]

HAVE YOU LOST ALL REASON ?
[ Man ] WHO GAVE HER
THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ?

THERE IS NO
WITCHCRAFT HERE !
THIS IS MURDER !

- [ Bellingham ] GUARDS,
RESTRAIN THIS WOMAN !
- [ Man ] HANG THE WITCH !

SATAN IS NOT AT WORK HERE
AMONG THE WOMEN !

BUT IF HE IS HERE,
THEN PERHAPS HE IS
AT WORK HERE AMONG YOU MEN.

HEAR SATAN SPEAK.

[ Gavel Pounding ]
[ Prynne ]
GOVERNOR ! GOVERNOR !

GOVERNOR, I HAVE EVIDENCE
TO RENDER.

AS YOU KNOW,
MISTRESS HIBBONS...

MIDWIVED
MISTRESS PRYNNE’S...

BABY PEARL.

[ Crowd Murmuring ]

- WANT A SWEET, PEARL ?
- BASTARD !

- NO !
- YES, MY PEARL.

HOW I WISH
YOU WERE MY GIRL.

POOR FATHERLESS CHILD.

NOW, WOULD YOU LIKE
TO LEARN A GAME ?

NOW, YES.
NOW, DO WHAT I DO.

IF I PINCH MY NOSE,

YOU TOO--
VERY GOOD.

VERY GOOD.
NOW.

I PULL UP MY SHIRT
AND SHOW MY TUMMY-TUM-TUM.

NOW YOU SHOW ME
YOUR TUMMY-TUM-TUM.

LIFT UP YOUR SHIRT.

BEHOLD,
[ Clicks Tongue ]
THE WITCH’S MARK.

[ Crowd Gasps ]
NO ! NO !

BEHOLD THE DEVIL’S
OWN CHILD !

[ Crowd Shouting ]

NO !

NO !
[ Screams ]

THE DEVIL’S OWN CHILD !
GET THEE BEHIND ME, SATAN !

[ Screaming ]

THE DEVIL’S OWN CHILD !

NO !

GIVE ME THAT CHILD !

HANG HER !

[ Man ]
DAMN YOUR CHILD !

[ Man ]
REVEREND, DO SOMETHING !

[ Dimmesdale ]
HIBBONS IS INNOCENT.

WE CANNOT LET THIS
INNOCENT WOMAN HANG.
INNOCENT ?

SINCE YOU FIRST SPOKE TO ME
ABOUT THAT PRYNNE WOMAN,

EVERYTHING WE’VE DREAMED
AND TOILED FOR IN THE NAME OF
THE LORD HAS BEEN THREATENED !

I’VE HEARD ENOUGH !
DID YOU LISTEN IN THERE ?

FACTION, ARGUMENT,
DISSENT.

THAT IS THE WORK
OF SATAN.

[ Pearl ]
THE TOWN WAS IN AN UPROAR,

AND SO MY FATHER
RISKED ONE LAST MEETING
WITH MY MOTHER,

CONVINCED THAT IF THEY
WERE GOING TO HANG HARRIET,

IT WOULD NOT BE LONG
BEFORE MY MOTHER AND I
WOULD BE SEIZED...

AND HUNG IN OUR TURN.

I HAD TO SPEAK OUT.
I COULDN’T STOP MYSELF.

[ Scoffs ]

DAMN YOUR HUSBAND,
HESTER.

YOU AND PEARL MUST GO
INTO HIDING... TONIGHT.

I CANNOT.
I CANNOT RUN.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING ?

FORGIVE ME.

WHATEVER HAPPENS,
PROMISE ME YOU WILL
ALWAYS LOOK AFTER PEARL.

OH, GOD, WOMAN.
HOW MUCH FURTHER
MUST YOU TAKE THIS ?

AS FAR AS MY STRENGTH
WILL TAKE ME.

IF HARRIET IS TO HANG,
THEN I MUST HANG WITH HER.

I WILL ASK THE OTHER WOMEN
TO STAND WITH US.

THEY CANNOT HANG US ALL.

HESTER, ARE WE NEVER
TO KNOW A LIFE TOGETHER ?

I LOVE THEE.

GOD HELP ME, I LOVE THEE
AND I ALWAYS WILL.

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THEE.

[ Exhales ]
LORD GOD,

WE STOOD BEFORE THEE
NAKED ONCE...

AND NOW WE STAND
BEFORE THEE NAKED AGAIN
AS A FAMILY.

GOD, THOU HAST GIVEN ME
THIS AS A GIFT,

AND I WILL NOT,
NOT GIVE IT UP !

NOT WHILE I HAVE
THE STRENGTH !

[ Animal Crying ]

ARTHUR ?

[ Animal Cries ]

ARTHUR ?

ARTHUR ?

[ Crash ]

EVENING,
MISTRESS P-PRYNNE.

EXPECTING SOMEONE ELSE ?
NO, UH--

DID YOU NOT CALL OUT
FOR ARTHUR ? THE ONLY
ARTHUR I KNOW IS DIMMESDALE.

YOU MISUNDERSTOOD ME.
I SAID, ARE THERE...
PERSONS THERE ?

I SHOULD’VE GUESSED
LONG AGO.

YOU NAUGHTY GIRL.
[ Panting ]

SO YOU FUCKED
A MINISTER, HUH ?

OH, GOD,
HOW MY FATHER WILL SAVOR
THAT PRICELESS MORSEL !

[ Grunting ]
OOPS-A-DAISY.

[ Grunts ]
WHAT’D HE DO
TO YOU, HUH ?

DID HE SUCK
YOUR BREASTS ?

DID HE LICK YOU ?
[ Grunting Continues ]

WHERE DID HE LICK YOU,
HESTER ?

SHOW ME !

GOD, HOW I’VE WANTED
TO POKE YOU !

OHH !

[ Grunts ]

[ Grunting ]
ALL THE NIGHTS
YOU CAME INTO MY DREAMS...

TO BEWITCH ME,
AND ALL THE WHILE...

GIVING IT TO ANOTHER--

[ Grunting ]

[ Grunts Loudly ]

AAH !

DAMN YOU, WITCH !
GET OUT !

[ Hammer Clicks ]

DO UP YOUR BRITCHES
AND GET OUT.

YOU BASTARD, GET OUT !

I SHALL ENJOY WATCHING YOU
AND YOUR MINISTER HANG !

[ Door Slams ]
[ Panting ]

OPEN UP, DOCTOR !

THERE ARE MATTERS
BETWEEN US THAT WE MUST
DISCUSS IMMEDIATELY !

[ Grunting ]

SO, ARTHUR DIMMESDALE.
[ Screams ]

THY WILL BE BLINDLY DONE.
THY WILL BE BLINDLY DONE.

[ Whooping ]

[ Whooping Continues ]

[ Woman Screaming ]

[ Man ]
HE’S BEEN MURDERED !

CALL OUT THE MILITIA.
CALL OUT THE GUARDS.

[ Woman ]
IT’S A SIGN ! THE LORD
HAS SENT US A SIGN !

GET THE PRAYING INDIANS !
LOCK ’EM UP !
WE HAVE STRAYED !

[ Man ]
SEE HOW HE PUNISHES US !

IT’S BREWSTER !
THE SAVAGES HAVE
KILLED HIM !

MY SON ! MY SON !

[ Man ]
THEY’VE CUT HIM INTO PIECES,
THE HEATHEN BASTARDS !

LOCK UP THE
PRAYING INDIANS...

BEFORE THEY MURDER US
IN OUR BEDS !

GET THE PRAYING INDIANS !

NO !
GET INTO YOUR COMPOUND,
YOU SAVAGES !

PRAYING INDIANS
INTO THE COMPOUND !
GET IN WITH YA !

COME ON !
[ Shouting ]

WE ARE LOYAL TO YOU !
[ Grunting ]

[ Man Shouting ]

[ Man ] HAVE THEM LOCKED UP !
[ Woman ] PROTECT THE CHILDREN
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE !

MISTRESS PRYNNE,
BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR OF
MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY,

YOU ARE HEREBY
PLACED UNDER ARREST
FOR THE ACTS OF HERESY--

[ Screaming, Yelling ]

STOP THIS ! IT WAS
ONE OF US KILLED BREWSTER !

[ Shouting ]

IT WAS ONE OF US !
I HAVE PROOF !

[ Grunts ]

[ Woman Screams ]
BASTARDS !

JOHNNY, RUN !
METACOMET’S BRAVES BY THE RIVER.
I’VE SEEN THEM.

TELL METACOMET TO COME
AND SAVE HIS PEOPLE !
RUN, MAN !

[ Man ]
HERE COME THE WITCHES.

STAND GUARD !
DON’T LOOK IN THEIR EYES !

OPEN THE CELLS !

THE GATES NOW.

NEVER MIND THE CHILD.
PEARL !

GET IN !
GET IN, WOMAN !
PEARL !

WORRY NOT, MISTRESS PRYNNE.
I’LL SEE SHE’S RAISED UP
TO FEAR THE LORD.

[ Hester ]
PEARL !

LET IT BE
FOR THE HIGHEST COURT.

WE HUMBLY SUBMIT
TO THY WILL.

OPEN UP, MURDERER !

[ Crowd Shouting,
Jeering ]

[ Man ]
IT IS GOD’S WILL
THAT THEY SHOULD HANG !

[ Dimmesdale ]
PEOPLE OF NEW ENGLAND !

[ Woman ]
SAY YOUR PRAYERS !

PEOPLE OF NEW ENGLAND !

THERE IS NO
WITCHCRAFT HERE !

BURN IN HELL !

IF WE HANG THESE WOMEN,

THEN WHAT HAVE WE BECOME ?

WHO ARE WE TO CONDEMN...

ON GOD’S BEHALF ?

I LOVE...

THIS WOMAN !

I AM... THE FATHER
OF HER CHILD !

AND IN GOD’S EYES,

I AM HER HUSBAND.

[ Kisses ]

[ Shouting ]
HANG HER !

NOW, IF YOU MUST...

HANG SOMEONE...

TO APPEASE YOUR--
YOUR ANGER...

AND YOUR FEAR,

THEN HANG ME !

[ Man ]
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

[ People Joining In ]
HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

[ Chanting ]
HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

HANG HIM ! HANG HIM !
HANG HIM !

[ Women Screaming ]

[ Gagging ]
[ Whooping ]

[ Gunshot ]

BASTARDS !

[ Grunts ]

WHERE’S PEARL ?
SHE’S IN THE ARMORY.

[ Whooping ]

[ Gunshot ]

HERE.

[ Yelling ]

[ Whooping Continues ]

HESTER !

[ Gunshot ]

[ Screams ]
WHERE’S MY CHILD ?

[ Harriet ] SHE’S
IN THE MEETING HOUSE.
COME ON !

- [ People Screaming ]
- [ Grunting ]

[ Yelling ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Whooping ]

[ Shouting In Algonquin ]

YOU ARE FREE,
MY PEOPLE !

GO BACK TO METACOMET !
GO BACK TO THE FOREST !

[ Pearl Screaming ]

[ Crying ]

[ Whooping ]

[ Women Screaming ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Shouting In Algonquin ]

[ Algonquin ]
[ Whooping ]

BELLINGHAM WILL DO ANYTHING
TO CONCEAL THIS MADNESS
FROM ENGLAND.

HE HAS SWORN TO ME
THAT HE WILL REMOVE
THE LETTER...

AND MAKE THEE
A PUBLIC APOLOGY.

[ Hester ]
HOW CLOSE THEY ARE,
LOVE AND HATE.

WE ARE NO LESS BOUND
BY ONE THAN THE OTHER.

REST IN PEACE,
ROGER PRYNNE.

THIS LETTER
HAS SERVED A PURPOSE,

THOUGH NOT THE ONE
THEY HAD INTENDED.

SO WHY WOULD I STAY HERE ?

TO BE ACCEPTED BY THEM ?
TO BE TAMED BY THEM ?

THERE’S NO PERFECT WORLD,
HESTER.
NO, NOT PERFECT.

BUT WE CAME HERE
TO MAKE A NEW ONE.

AND FOR PEARL’S SAKE,

I MUST DO JUST THAT.

HESTER.

COME ALONG.

HESTER !

LOOK AT ME.

IF I LOOK AT YOU,
I WON’T BE ABLE TO LEAVE.

THEN LEAVE.

BRAVE THE WILDS.

BUT, HESTER,
I’LL NOT LET YOU,

IN GOD’S NAME,
GO WITHOUT ME.

THEY’RE WATCHING US.

[ Pearl ]
IN THE FARAWAY CAROLINAS,

MY PARENTS WERE, AT LAST,
TO FIND A MEASURE
OF THE HAPPINESS...

THAT HAD BEEN DENIED THEM
FOR SO LONG.

MY FATHER DIED
BEFORE I REACHED MY TEENS.

SOME SAY THAT
WAS A PUNISHMENT.

MY MOTHER NEVER REMARRIED
NOR LOVED ANOTHER.

SOME SAY THAT
WAS A PUNISHMENT.

AS FOR ME,

I DO NOT SEE IT THAT WAY.

MY PARENTS SHARED A LOVE
LIKE NO OTHER.

I KNOW THE SPIRIT OF THAT LOVE
LIVES WITHIN ME...

AND WILL LIVE
WITHIN MY CHILDREN FOREVER.

WHO IS TO SAY WHAT IS A SIN
IN GOD’S EYES ?