The Crucible Confessions

It is possible to obscure fact and fiction when there are so few prospects for expression. In this instance, the epilogue of the movie stated that the reckoning died out as the towns people refused to save their lives by giving false confusions. That was historically incorrect, as large number of the people continued to give their false confessions to save themselves as it became obvious that their confession could save one from being hanged. The end of the trials was brought on by the involvement of Governor William Phips, who had been off in Maine fighting the Indians in King William's War. Two hundred people had already been thrown into prison before the governor intervened. Subsequently, the hysteria did not stop when Abigail Williams blamed Rev. Hale's wife, as the movie had said.

although the "afflicted" did start accusing a lot of people in higher ranking places to the point of absurdity, including various people around in other Massachusetts towns whom they had never laid eyes on.