namashi_1 Based on the shocking true story of the McMartin preschool trial, 'Indictment: The McMartin Trial' is a Brilliant Film that takes us through the history of this controversial, unforgettable trial. Taut-Writing, Flawless Direction & Remarkable Performances, make this film, unmissable.'Indictment: The McMartin Trial' Synopsis: A defense lawyer defends an average American family from shocking allegations of child abuse and satanic rituals. After seven years and $16 million, the trial ends with the dismissal of all charges.Abby Mann & Myra Mann's Screenplay takes us through this journey of torment & truth, astonishingly. I loved the film, it was so interesting & blunt. From start to end, the film offers a solid punch! Mick Jackson's Direction is Flawless. He has truly surpassed himself in this masterful film! Cinematography is proper. Editing is excellent.Performance-Wise: James Woods as the defense lawyer, is Dependable, as always. Mercedes Ruehl is fantastic. This performance is amongst her finest works to date. Henry Thomas is terrific. Shirley Knight delivers a heartbreaking performance. Sada Thompson is highly efficient. Lolita Davidovich is perfect. Alison Elliott is good. Roberta Bassin & Mark Blum leave a mark.On the whole, 'Indictment: The McMartin Trial' is an unmissable gem!

HalRagland "Indictment: The McMartin Trial" is a quite biased dramatization of the McMartin Preschool Case, as it should be. The case was a fraud from beginning to end and probably the most outrageous example of the allowance of mass produced coached witness testimony in the history of the justice system in the U.S. The shameful conduct of the prosecution and the judge in the case also included the introduction of perjured adult testimony as well. This case might very well be the most shameful prosecution in U.S. history.I really liked James Woods as Danny Davis, Ray Buckey's attorney, and Henry Thomas as Buckey.My favorite scene in the movie is the one with the child witness with the story of digging up all the graves in a grave yard. On cross examination Davis put before the boy several face pictures and asks him to identify who helped them dig up the graves. One of the people whose face picture he circled was of actor Chuck Norris. That scene of the defense demolition of the prosecution's coached child "testimony" more than any other left me wondering why the judge in the case was allowing this farce to continue his court room.We all supposedly learned in grade school history class that children can be coached by adults into saying anything, including the most sensational accusations of debauchery against them on the part of adults, as happened at Salem in 1692. It's amazing how easily this lesson of history can be discarded by all of the adults who were hell bent on persecuting the Buckey-McMartin family. This is why it's a shame that this movie didn't get a major theatrical release. It deserved it.After enduring a torrent of abuse at the hands of the prosecution, their "witnesses", and the media, the Buckey-McMartin family finally gets to tell their side of the story in "Indictment: The McMartin Trial".

jmorrison-2 Tremendously disturbing and well-acted film. What is most troubling is the fact that this episode really occurred. Remarkable portrayal of how easily something like this can get so totally out of control. It is hard to imagine this feeding frenzy among, supposedly, educated and sophisticated people. James Woods is dead-on perfect as an initially slimy, opportunistic attorney, who finds himself slowly horrified by what he finds himself in the middle of. His courtroom questioning of Dr. McFarlane (Lolita Davidovich)is riveting. An impressive, well-done movie, but extremely troubling for what it says about our justice system.

2critical I have only just had a chance to see this movie even though it first appeared several years ago. James Woods is of course, incredible in any role he is given. The movie was well made but surprised me in its lack objectivity.The final rulings on the case indicated that jury members felt some abuse had occured but had doubts as well - sounds a little like OJ, right ? (this was of course not mentioned in the movie)I don't think the outcome of that case warranted such an overwhelming vindication as given by HBO to those involved. There also seemed to be little if any investigation into what the whole ritual abuse thing was about - how plausible is it that these children just made it all up? It becomes even more disturbing when one researches the nature of cults and some of the things they do to their members/victims. Most of these groups are not satanic at all, and some of what the children testified to didn't make sense because of the metaphoric nature of abuse employed by such groups. (and other techniques deliberately designed to thwart prosecution or exposure).Having read all of the other comments here it is amazing for me to see how one good movie has completely convinced so many folks on an issue that is anything but conclusive. It is naive to think that some incidents do not occur - I am waiting for a better researched movie on the topic in general.