Indictment - The McMartin Trial [DVD]

I remember this scandal, but I didn't know how many years it dragged on. Just to be accused ofchild molestation is something that would haunt and terrorize the innocent...James Woods is a great actor, you can see the fact that he has a genius IQ and Henry Thomasdelivers an outstanding performance.I feel that these people should have received millions of dollars given the fact they lost everythingand spent time in jail...But in the end justice prevailed, and we can also see the duplicitous actions that prosecutors useto ensure a conviction is made. They have more resources than the defense, that's why there arethousands of innocent people in jail. And that part in the pledge of alleigence that say; " With liberty andjustice for all ", what a load of BS...

Yes it is very important to listen to children, to protect children and to go after those who do abuse children, really to go after those people who abuse anyone at all, not even just children. This case is just absolutely disgusting. I cannot stand when I learn about our just system actually creating injustices. I know that sometimes the justice system may fail to bring forth justice, but in this case, it is so screamingly obvious that the state just cared about WINNING, about being right right right, even if they were wrong. The Mc. Martins suffered at the hands of the state and there is just no accountability whatsoever. Shouldn't the justice system, shouldn't investigations, about going to court, testimony be about the TRUTH?! Justice based on lies, bad science, bad methodology is just not justice at all. I guess I am on a rant. I think the system really needs to change. There is a motivation for prosecutors to find people guilty at all costs even at the expense of TRUTH. Before I sign off here, it is also just disgusting that the so called therapist, with no valid professional training was even someone that was accepted as a reliable witness or any kind of professional at all. Even nail salon technicians are required to be licensed!!! But not that lady..So sorry that this kind of thing happens. This case was huge. This same kind of thing happens more than we would like to believe. Meanwhile time, resources and attention are taken from real victims and criminals.

I well remember this case. This film portrayed the fever pitch of the media, the DA, and the country very well. I even considered that there was a huge child pornography devil worshiping ring! I mean, I thought it was pretty outlandish, at first, that every member of this family, some elderly, were abusers, but it went on and on and the DA and the media wouldn't let up. It was tailor made for the new, "credible", tabloid TV media (made credible by Geraldo Rivera morphing from award-winning network investigative reporter on 20/20, into independent tabloid reporter), and they withheld certain information, just to keep the cash cow going (of course the prosecutor also withheld). When people say "witch hunt", this is the very essence of a witch hunt in modern times. When the McMartins were finally acquitted, it was too little too late. I wasn't even sure anymore. Most people trusted Oprah and Geraldo. Geraldo was also doing "investigations" on satanism, alien abductions, and other tabloid issues. It was a time when "repressed memories of abuse" were a big fad. Oprah was a huge believer in them. My friends thought they had them, *I* thought I had them. Other members of my family thought they had them, everyone thought they had them. Therapists, licensed, professional therapists condoned them and even looked for them. It ripped families apart and I know damaged mine, even though the story was crazy and the participants elderly. Those types of repressed memories have since been debunked. The public wasn't very familiar with tabloid TV media then. The only "tabloids" we knew about were the silly papers by the checkout lines. Most people knew that the stories in the those rags (now sadly semi-respectable papers like The Star and Natl Enquirer) were made up, outlandish stories to sell papers ("Baby Born with Two Cow Heads!"). You wouldn't be caught dead even buying them. So we were easily taken in by a machine that wanted more and more and didn't stop until a whole family's lives had been ruined.James Woods, professional that he is, at the height of his powers, did an excellent job. There wasn't much to be done with that part, but he did a fine job. I was a bit put off by Oscar winner Mercedes Ruehl, whose performances I usually enjoy, but was not up to her usual standards here. She was lured over the top even as Woods resisted that temptation. The real standout is Lolita Davidovich, which is no surprise. She played the creepy (but not too) "therapist" who started this witch hunt.It's a credit to HBO that they made this movie, so the full story could be told to later generations and even to those of us who lived through it. There was a time when no cameras (esp film or video) were allowed in the courtroom for ordinary trials involving citizens vs the state, but that changed in the 80s, with this trial, the OJ trial, and a few other notorious trials in LA. Like doctors and drug companies advertising, this was a bad development for society, and one that is not easily put back into the bottle. If Oprah ever does run for president, I hope that her programs around this and other matters are reviewed. Oprah has many good qualities, but she, in essence, was/is a media hound, and ran after every fad around. She has tried too many cases on her show and with one look (Geraldo is also great at this) can affect attitudes and perceptions. TV hosts are not courts, juries, or evidence, yet we often view them as if they are.Even though this film is from 1995, it does not seem dated, except for the obvious. It is still in good shape and still seems very timely. You will easily recognize the paparazzi and crazed media, for nothing has changed. If anything, they are sadly worse in 2019.

This is a frightening revelation, a case history of the public immolation of an innocent Los Angeles family that is suddenly overwhelmed by mindless evil. Early on, we are schooled to believe in the innate ideals of American justice. Yet the McMartin family, which operated a small child-care facility not unlike those we've ourselves seen in our own neighborhoods, one day becomes caught up in the gears of a monstrous machine powered by unreasoning vengeance. One can only imagine the McMartins' horror as their world instantly turns into a helpless, waking nightmare of slander and violence. Almost totally friendless as they become engulfed by the evil that has found them, they face national hatred and vilification, prison, and personal ruin. "Indictment" has become a classic textbook study of the McMartins' ghastly descent into the dark side of American jurisprudence and media hysterics. As such, it transcends entertainment, and stands as a warning.

Apparently it's a very good film and my husband and I like this particular American actor very much. However, we couldn't watched as it was fit only to watch in America and as we are analogues and not technocrats by choice we have to send it back.

I saw this film on TV years ago, I had recorded it on my VCR(remember them) when I searched for it I didn't use Indictment, but when I did find it I was really pleased.The film shows how people jump to conclusions, But I am not saying reports of child abuse should be taken lightly.

Received in excellent order and what a bloody good film (True Story) with excitement and thrills to keep you engaged and watching, brilliant and enjoyed from start to finish.

This film encouraged me to purchase the Book Abuse of Innocence. Based on a real life story of an absolutely shocking miscarriage of justice. Has to been seen to be believed. Even though I know the story through and through, I can still watch this again and again.

james woods at his best! This is one amazing true stories, crazy to think this ever really happened those poor people