Indictment: The McMartin Trial

Vivid and compelling
This account of the most celebrated trial arising out of the child molestation and satanic abuse hysteria of the eighties and nineties-a witch hunt far worse than that of the McCarthy era in terms of lives destroyed and innocent people thrown in jail, and even worse than the Salem witch trials of the 17th century in extent, except that nobody was actually stoned or hanged, was only the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of innocent people went to jail and some are still there. Nobody can give them back their lives, ruined by immoral prosecutors bent on career-building at any cost and by guilt-ridden latch key parents out to excite their blood lust. Yes, children do lie and more important, as this film demonstrates, they can be brainwashed and coerced into telling the most outrageous and horrific tales (and believing them) to escape the gestapo tactics of their interrogators.

Oliver Stone produced, and Abby Mann, who wrote the celebrated Stanley Kramer film,...

Excellent Film And A Stellar Cast: James Woods Shines!
"Indictment: The McMartin Trial" is an excellent film. I do not live very far from Manhattan Beach, and was once a junior lifeguard there. I still jog and bicycle down there when I get the chance. I do remember very vividly when these events occurred. One of the things that I don't know is whether or not the children were molested. However, I do remember how nearly everyone where I worked at the time presumed these people were guilty. Even the LA Times showed unflattering pictures of the accused. Therefore, I do believe that there was a frenzied and carnival-like demonizing of the McMartin family. The film itself is very good. (James Woods) gives an outstanding performance as the attorney who defends the McMartin family.

There is no doubt in my mind that the public hysteria over the allegations this family was charged with, and the media hype, were responsible for a grave miscarriage of justice. I feel for the children too: As they were equally victims of an out-of-control...

Excellent and engrossing
This is the second best HBO movie ever made, being closely behind And the Band Played On. The whole cast gives excellent performances, especially James Woods and Henry Thomas, who won emmy awards for their performances. This movie clearly shows that an injustice was done and that the Justice System of the US isn't infallable. The defendant's lost everything because of the LA District Attorney's Office, and it amazes me that anybody could have believed any of the children the way they kept changing their stories. This is an excellent movie but not for the weak of stomach. It is a little difficult to watch the first time through.

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