Shaker Founder's Story Resonates in Film About America's Flaws

David French reflects on the emotional impact of "The Testament of Ann Lee" and the parallels between the Shakers' struggles and America's ongoing challenges with religious freedom and intolerance.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In a review of the film "The Testament of Ann Lee," David French describes his unexpected emotional response to the story of the Shaker movement's founder, Ann Lee. The film portrays Lee's theology as born out of trauma, loss, and persecution in England, leading her and her followers to seek religious freedom in America, only to face continued intolerance and violence. French sees the movie as a powerful exploration of the "already and not yet" of American liberty, where progress has been made but much work remains to fulfill the nation's promise of pluralism and religious tolerance.

Why it matters

The film's sympathetic portrayal of the Shakers and their struggles resonates with broader themes in American history, where religious minorities have often faced persecution despite the nation's founding ideals of freedom. French sees the movie as a reminder that America's story is one of both progress and ongoing challenges, as the country continues to grapple with issues of state violence, intolerance, and the gap between its lofty principles and the reality experienced by many.

The details

"The Testament of Ann Lee" follows the life of the Shaker movement's founder, Ann Lee, from her origins in Manchester, England to her founding of the Shaker community in America. The film depicts Lee's theology as shaped by trauma, including the loss of four children, an arranged marriage, and imprisonment for her religious beliefs. When Lee and her followers arrive in New York, they immediately witness the horrors of slavery, and Lee is later imprisoned for refusing to swear allegiance to the patriot cause during the American Revolution. The film culminates in a scene of Lee and her brother being brutally beaten by a mob, with her brother pleading for the Shakers not to fight back.

  • Ann Lee was born in Manchester, England in 1736.
  • Lee and her followers arrived in New York and witnessed a slave auction.
  • Lee was imprisoned by American colonial authorities for refusing to swear allegiance to the patriot cause.
  • Lee and her brother were brutally beaten by a local mob.
  • The film is set to be released in 2026.

The players

Ann Lee

The founder of the American Shakers, a tiny utopian Christian sect that started in England in the mid-18th century. Lee brought a small band of followers to the United States shortly before the Revolution.

George Clinton

The governor of New York who ordered the release of Ann Lee after she was imprisoned for refusing to swear allegiance to the patriot cause.

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What they’re saying

“Do not fight back!”

— Ann Lee's brother (The Testament of Ann Lee)

What’s next

The film's release in 2026 will likely spark further discussion and reflection on the Shakers' story and its relevance to ongoing debates around religious freedom, pluralism, and the legacy of America's founding ideals.

The takeaway

"The Testament of Ann Lee" serves as a powerful reminder that America's history is one of both progress and ongoing challenges, as the country continues to grapple with issues of intolerance, state violence, and the gap between its lofty principles and the reality experienced by many religious and ethnic minorities.