Watch Indictment: The McMartin Trial

Indictment: The McMartin Trial is a 1995 American television film depicting one of the most notorious criminal trials in American history. The movie revolves around the McMartin preschool trial, which took place in California in the 1980s. The film stars James Woods in the role of Danny Davis, the lawyer who defends Ray Buckey (played by Dylan Mc Dermott), a man accused of sexually abusing multiple children at the McMartin preschool in Manhattan Beach. Mercedes Ruehl plays Kee McFarlane, the Child Sexual Assault interviewer, and Lolita Davidovich portrays Peggy Buckey, Ray's sister, who is also accused in the case.

The story starts with the arrest and arraignment of the Buckey family members. The prosecution believes that they are part of a child sex abuse ring that has been operating out of the McMartin preschool. The movie then follows the trial as Davis attempts to defend his client and uncover the truth about the allegations.

The movie depicts the challenges and difficulties faced by the defense team and the Buckey family as they try to prove their innocence in the face of overwhelming accusations. The trial goes on for a long time, and the film takes the viewer through the entire process.

The McMartin trial was one of the most confusing and controversial legal settings in American history. The children's accounts of the abuse were so bizarre and fantastic that skeptics argued that they must have been coached or manipulated. The trial lasted for six years and was the longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history at the time.

Indictment: The McMartin Trial showcases the legal drama and tension that surrounds the trial. The film addresses the flaws of the legal system, particularly in handling child sex abuse cases. It shows the media circus that surrounded the trial, the blind crusade against the Buckey family, and the legal system's difficulty in dealing with child witnesses.

The movie is based upon the actual transcripts of the trial and the interviews that were conducted with the children who were the supposed victims. The film depicts the perspective of both the prosecution and defense and emphasizes the point that children's testimony can sometimes be unreliable. The movie attempts to reveal the truth behind the child testimonies and the impact of public opinion on the legal system.

James Woods delivers an outstanding performance as Danny Davis, the defense attorney. He brings to life the complexities of his character and the challenges faced by the defense team. Mercedes Ruehl is exceptional as Kee McFarlane, the interviewer, who follows the case against the Buckeys. Lolita Davidovich is solid as Peggy Buckey, a victim of the institutionalized witch hunt against the family.

Indictment: The McMartin Trial is intense and dramatic, but it also highlights the serious issues faced by criminal defendants who are trying to prove their innocence. The film challenges viewers to consider the consequences of blindly believing in the testimony of children, and it urges courts to uphold due process to protect innocent people.

In conclusion, Indictment: The McMartin Trial is an engrossing and well-made film, which provides a gripping account of a controversial legal case. It offers a vivid portrayal of the legal system's handling of child sex abuse cases and the impact of public opinion on the judicial process. While the film may be difficult to watch at times, it is ultimately a worthwhile and thought-provoking piece of cinema.

Indictment: The McMartin Trial is a 1995 tv movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.