The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Mona Fastvold

Mona Fastvold (director)

by Jenny Webb 3rd July 2026

This film, now available on streaming services, tells the life story of Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers. Born in Manchester in 1736, she joined a Christian group that had broken away from the Quakers. Ann led eight of them across the Atlantic to start a new community in the United States. Against all odds, they were successful, and the Shakers, or Shaking Quakers, flourished. Estimates of the membership at its peak vary between 2,000 and 6,000.