The True Story Behind The Testament of Ann Lee and the Birth of the Shakers

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Mona Fastvold, responsible for the captivating movie titled “The Testament of Ann Lee“, characterizes it as a “creative reinterpretation” of the life of its namesake, the originator of the Shaker movement. While the Shakers are predominantly recognized today for their distinctive furniture, particularly their unique approach to storing chairs on walls when not in use, this film delves into the intriguing origins of the religious sect. The narrative revolves around Amanda Seyfried’s portrayal of Ann Lee, serving as the central figure throughout the story. This film made its debut during the fall festival circuit in Venice and later in Toronto.

The movie, jointly penned by Fastvold and her partner Brady Corbet during the period following their Academy Award-winning project, “The Brutalist,” is a musical. At first glance, this might seem an unconventional decision, but given that the Shakers were known for their unusual physical movements (shaking being the origin of their name), spiritual songs, and dance rituals, the genre seems fitting. The performances are choreographed intricately, showcasing the Shakers’ energetic movements as they strive to cleanse their minds and bodies of impurities. Moreover, the tunes are influenced by actual Shaker hymns from the 1700s.

Ann Lee, born on the uncommon date of February 29th, 1736, in Manchester, England, was part of a sizable family as the second eldest among eight siblings. Given the living standards of the 18th century, they all shared a single room for sleeping, which meant Lee often observed her parents engaging intimately, an experience that instilled in her a distaste for intimacy. Outspoken and honest to a fault, Lee frequently challenged things she disapproved of, inviting regular reprimands from her father.

Growing up, Lee resided close to Manchester’s Christ Church of the Church of England, yet found it challenging to grasp their doctrines and often felt out of place within the predominant faith. In the year 1758, she encountered James and Jane Wardley who conducted gatherings in their home as Shaking Quakers, espousing unconventional views that clashed with the established Church of England. These included the notion that engaging in chanting and dancing could purge the body of sin, and an even more audacious belief that in the second coming, God would manifest as a woman. As Lee spent her life seeking acceptance, she discovered a congregation that wholeheartedly accepted her-so much so that they viewed her as the reincarnation of God, and bestowed upon her the title of Mother.

On January 5, 1761, Lee wed Abraham Standarin, but their union was strained. Not only did Ann dislike physical intimacy, but also their four children perished at a young age. This heartbreaking loss inspired a vision in her that became the cornerstone of the Shakers. Lee proclaimed that to attain true purity and escape from sin, one must dedicate oneself to a lifelong abstinence from marriage. Eventually, she advocated for the dissolution of all marriages within the Shaker community, including her own with Standarin.

Lee also rejected any notion of prescribed gender norms, advocating instead for complete social parity disregarding both gender and race. This stance, however, put her at odds with the Church of England, which labeled her a pagan and institutionalized her in a mental institution. Upon her eventual release, Lee, along with a handful of followers, embarked on a journey to America to disseminate their teachings. They believed that the citizens of Manchester had been corrupted by the doctrines of the Church of England. While there are multiple versions about the day she pleaded for her freedom from the asylum, what is known for certain is that those present were so profoundly affected by her words that they granted her release.

In their pursuit to vividly portray Lee’s narrative and due to limited information about her life prior to relocating to America, Fastvold and Corbet found significant inspiration from Baroque and religious artworks. As they sought to fill in the gaps of her story, they drew upon the intense colors, lighting, and dramatic elements typically found in works by artists like Caravaggio and other Old Masters. According to Fastvold, this was explained in the film’s press notes. Once they had reconstructed what they believed happened during Ann’s early years, they followed her path to America where her life was extensively documented by the early Shakers.

On May 19, 1774, Lee and her fellow followers embarked on a voyage from Liverpool towards America. After a prolonged quest for an ideal location to establish their worship community, they discovered a suitable spot in Albany County, New York, where they eventually built their settlement, later named Niskayuna. It was here that people adhered to Lee’s stringent rules for an improved lifestyle, including celibacy and the relentless pursuit of perfection in all endeavors.

Lee and her brother William frequently traveled preaching their beliefs across great distances to attract new members (a necessity due to the lifetime celibacy requirement) in their quest for a utopian society devoid of any form of sin. The Shakers gained financial resources by producing and selling furniture, yet they did not demand monetary contributions from their followers to be part of the Shaker community.

Although the Shakers found freedom from persecution in America, they encountered issues similar to those they had experienced in England. The strong and unwavering pacifism of Lee (the founder of the Shakers) clashed with the American Revolutionary War. She adamantly refused to let her followers engage in war activities, which resulted in an attack on the Shaker community in 1783. The account of Ann Lee’s life, as presented in The Testament of Ann Lee, spans multiple chapters from birth to death and highlights her bravery, unwavering dedication, and fervent commitment to her cause. Despite repeated threats on her life, she never wavered or faltered in her beliefs.

In the press notes, Fastvold mentions that he found resonance in Ann’s journey, specifically with the concept of establishing a community not for financial or personal benefit but as a place where she could dedicate her life to her work. Work was an integral aspect of her vision. Indeed, Ann dedicated herself entirely to her work throughout her life, constructing, evangelizing, and immersing herself both physically and mentally in spreading the teachings of God until she passed away at 48 years old in 1784.

Lee didn’t witness the Shaker movement’s highest point, which occurred in 1840 when the group had approximately 6,000 active members. Given their principle of lifelong celibacy, their numbers have since decreased. Today, there is only one remaining Shaker community on earth: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, situated in Maine. It’s a tiny settlement with just two practicing Shakers. However, not long ago, a third individual joined the village, thereby boosting the number of active Shakers by 50%.

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2025-09-11 00:06