Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Manthast Absolutely amazing

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

gottogorunning I have always loved ghost stories and have been fascinated with the Bell Witch for a long time, having read one of the books as a teenager. It is impossible to find a more amazing true ghost story. When I saw the great review in Haunted Times magazine, I was very excited to order the movie. I was not disappointed. You could tell immediately this was not a Hollywood film. The picture looks a little grainy in places and it seems a little dark in others. But this works for the film, because it gives it more of a realistic look in the dark candle scenes and makes it creepier. This, with some of the camera shots, makes it feel more at times like a documentary. It feels real, like you are watching a part of these peoples lives, and that drew me in. I thought for the most part the acting was very well done and the costumes and locations looked authentic. After watching the film, it rekindled my interest, so I checked out a book on the Bell Witch from the library. I was surprised how close the movie was to the original story. I especially liked the way they showed the different personalities of the spirit, showing it's kindness for Lucy, it's enjoyment for church, and it's sense of humor that is discussed so much it the book. If Hollywood had made this film, they would have made the ghost one note (just scary) and you would not have had such in-depth and realistic view of the haunting. But there is plenty of scary parts too! It is an amazing story and would be of great interest to anyone who enjoys the paranormal. The "Behind the Scenes" was very fascinating as well. This is as true and real as it gets!

linda-335 The movie was wonderful. It was nice to see these things acted out in front of me as opposed to in my head when reading the stories. All of the actors did a fantastic job in the movie and made it totally believable. I think that Ric White (writer, director, actor-"James Johnston") did a fantastic job in front of the camera as well as Stephanie Love ("Lucy Bell"). The whole cast did a fantastic job as I said, but those two really took their parts and lived them out.Mr. White also did a great job writing it and directing it. Though the production picture and sound quality had it's moments of question, the writing, directing, and acting all came together so well that after an hour and a half of the movie was over I was shocked to know it had gone by so fast. I was drawn in to the story so much that the movie seemed almost to be over before I had realized 2 hours had gone by! The only thing I didn't get to see was the story of when Andrew Jackson visited the house, nor did they ever say the witch's name was "Kate", which for as much as I've read happens to be a major part in the history of this story.In any case, I'd suggest checking this out and make sure you are prepared to jump! I jumped a couple times in this, and all I can say is, it's been a long time since any movie has made me do that!

number72ocfan I am not understanding why people are praising this movie. I didn't like it at all. I watch it with several people. None of them cared for it either. First of all. It is just plain that another low budget studio is trying to cash in on a big name story. The actual filming looks like a live TV interview. The makeup is bad. When you watch the movie along with the DVD extras. You will see there is a lot of enthusiasm from the people who participated in it. There is no talent. There are facts that do appear in the book. The facts are distorted by the invention of comedy and skits added to it. I have read several books and have watched several shows on this story. What I have always caught from all the material on this is that it was a serious horror story. I really wish someone could really do a good film on this one. It has always fascinated me. The bad acting really ruined the story. The little boys situation really hammed it up even more. When you watch this movie. The little boy and his problem is the thing you and your friends will remember and laugh about. It didn't make any sense why his brothers were laughing at what had happened to him. It was like the witch was supposed to be so threatening but it was OK to throw baby brother to her. It is a whopping tale with him and his little problem. I can't still get over the little girl saying "Mom said tobacco will rot your teeth." Frank Fox's statement and facial expression is so bad. The scene out in the yard with him getting food is pretty stupid to. The sound from parts of it seems to be from the movie psycho. Also, The girl hovering over the bed and her little "Bladder control problem" are from The Exorcist. This movie is lacking from the talent of creativity. We put the movie in for a couple of minutes and knew right away it was a bummer. I also noticed that their was defects in the film quality. Parts of it looked like what a person might film on a Home video camera. I noticed a lot of the people in the credits had many multiple jobs. This is probably how this movie was put together. Someone said I like this story. I will get all my friends and make a movie about with a video camera and a computer. Doesn't matter if we don't know how to act. As long as we get it on film and say it is good. We got the family together and prepared food. Then sat down and watched this failed attempt to make a movie.

moviefan5-2 I saw the new movie "The Bell Witch Haunting," which I can best describe as being a carefully researched, enlightening, and entertaining rendition of the legend. Moreover, I came away with a greater understanding and appreciation of the legend. The only other production that left me feeling that way was "The Bell Witch Story," a play that was directed and produced by the team of Ric White and Linda Thornton, the same people who have now brought "The Bell Witch Haunting" to the "big screen." Was this a mere coincidence? I don't think so. They "grew up" on the Bell Witch and have researched the legend extensively. Now, add the fact that they are accomplished actors and directors. This is precisely the "history meets drama" concept that I have been writing about for years, where a good Bell Witch movie comes about when historians and movie people pool their abilities and work together - WHAT A CONCEPT!."The Bell Witch Haunting" relates many of the original Ingram stories, as well as a few first-time accounts that are most likely rooted in the writer's perception of what might have happened but was not related in early accounts – which is fine. The Ingram stories are portrayed as they were originally told, with dimension occasionally being added for color and depth, but not changed or embellished in any way. The stories added by the writer are seamlessly interwoven with the original story, which makes for an enhanced and more entertaining account. Writing in such a manner that the audience is presented with a cohesive, hybrid account of the legend, is a work of art – in my opinion.No actor stood out as being better – or worse – than the others. All did an excellent job, and I applaud them relentlessly. Scenes, such as the look on James Johnston's face when he first encountered the "Spirit," and the agony experienced by John Bell as he lay on his deathbed, give the legend a dimension that no printed work - bar none - can effectively convey. Sure, we can spend pages upon pages describing the fear and agony experienced by the characters, but a single portrayal by good actors paints a more vivid picture than written works that employ "a thousand words to paint a picture" of the agony.The scene where Betsy Bell tried to greet visitors while in a trance was downright frightening. The pale and downtrodden look on her face -- in many scenes, actually -- serves as a vivid reminder of the abuse she endured at the hands of "Kate." I was equally impressed by the way in which the "tree lady" was alluded to in multiple scenes. It is one of the most frightening parts of the legend, and deserves more than just one scene. Job well done.I was particularly impressed with the careful attention paid to the chronology of events, something that few published works have done. It was nice to be able to watch the events unfold in the right order; and, the carefully planned transitions made for a pleasant and sometimes comical experience.Historical accuracy was seamlessly embedded into the movie. A case in point is the scene depicting Betsy Bell's outdoor birthday party, where you can see breath vapor as people speak, if you look closely. How does this relate to historical accuracy? Betsy's real birthday is in January, the coldest month of the year. "But why would anyone be so crazy as to have an outdoor party in January?" you might ask. The answer is, "the original legend says they did." But why? Ask Ingram, not the movie director - he is only trying to keep the movie accurate per the original legend.Another example of historical accuracy is the characters themselves. In terms of age and physical appearance, they closely resemble the people being portrayed, as per historical descriptions. I was also impressed by the candlelit scenes, which help the viewer understand the household environment back in the day of John Bell.Interweaving historical accuracy in such a manner allows the ghost story to flow freely while giving the audience a history lesson in the process.I was pleasantly surprised by the set and camera work, and especially the director's choice not to go overboard with special effects. The movie was filmed in middle Tennessee, not too far from where the legend took place. The only downside, which lasted only a few seconds, was the lighting in one of the outdoor scenes. It was too bright, but did not materially detract from the movie. The choice of land gives the viewer what I feel is a good picture of what the actual Bell farm might have looked like. The house on the set is not made of logs, but resembles the real one, per historical descriptions, in every other regard.The music served its purpose well; however, if had been mixing it, I would have incorporated some spooky, wind-like sounds - or something along those lines - into the transitions between scenes. But notwithstanding, the transitions and music are fine like they are.Whether you are a Bell Witch expert, novice, or armchair historian, I think you will enjoy and learn from "The Bell Witch Haunting." I highly recommend that you go see it and get the DVD as well – you will probably want to watch it again and again.Thank you, Ric and Linda, for a wonderful movie! Pat Fitzhugh, Author / Historian The Bell Witch Web Site