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{{Infobox Film {{Infobox television
| name = Indictment: The McMartin Trial | image = TheMcMartinTrial.jpg
| image = TheMcMartinTrial.jpg | image_size = 220
| caption = | image_alt =
| director = ] | caption =
| producer = Diana Pokorny | genre = Drama<br />Thriller
| writer = Abby Mann<br>Myra Mann | creator =
| narrator = | based_on =
| writer = ]<br />Myra Mann
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]
| music = Peter Rodgers Melnick | screenplay =
| story =
| cinematography = Rodrigo García
| editing = Richard A. Harris | director = ]
| starring = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />Roberta Bassin
| distributor = mediacs AG
| released = 1995 | narrated =
| theme_music_composer = ]
| runtime = 135 min
| country = {{flagicon|USA}} USA | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = | num_episodes =
| executive_producer = ]<br>]<br>]
| preceded_by =
| followed_by = | producer = Diana Pokorny
| website = | location = ]
| amg_id = 151905 | editor = ]
| cinematography = ]
| imdb_id = 0113421
| runtime = 131 minutes
| company = ]<br>Ixtlan<br>Abby Mann Productions<br>Breakheart Films
| budget =
| network = ]
| released = {{Start date|1995|05|20}}
}} }}
'''''Indictment: The McMartin Trial''''' is a TV movie that originally aired on HBO on ], ] about the ].


'''''Indictment: The McMartin Trial''''' is a 1995 American ] that originally aired on ] on May 20, 1995. ''Indictment'' is based on the true story of the ].
Based on a true story of a national scandal, a defense lawyer is turned on by shocking accusations that imprison an average American family. After six years and $16 million of tax-payers dollars, the trial ended with the dismissal of the charges without a single conviction.


] and ] were executive producers of the film, which was directed by ].
==Film chapters==


The cast includes ] and ], as opposing defense and prosecuting attorneys in the McMartin trial. ], ] and ] co-star as the defendants in the case, with ] as a child-abuse therapist whose findings were crucial to the prosecution's case and Roberta Bassin as the mother who initiated the case.
1. Main Title/Prologue <br>
2. Indictment <br>
3. Bail Hearing <br>
4. The Case<br>
5. The Children<br>
6. Out of Bail<br>
7. Preliminary Hearings<br>
8. Unreliable Evidence<br>
9. Doubts<br>
10. Prosecutorial Misconduct<br>
11. Prosecution Key Witness<br>
12. Ray Buckey<br>
13. The Verdict<br>
14. Coda/End Credits<br>


==See also== ==Summary==
A defense lawyer defends an average American family from shocking allegations of ] and ] rituals. After seven years and $15 million, the trial ends with the dismissal of all charges. George Freeman is the star witness in the trial. ] and ] are in a romantic relationship. The poster and ads for the movie declare "The charges were so shocking, the truth didn't matter."<ref name=nyt95/>
* ]
<br>
{{tv-film-stub}}


==Cast==
]
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
]
* ] as Danny Davis
]
* ] as ]
* ] as ]
* ] as Ray Buckey
* ] as Virginia McMartin
* ] as Peggy Buckey
* ] as Peggy Ann Buckey
* Roberta Bassin as Judy Johnson
* ] as ]
* ] as ]
* ] as Judge Pounders
* ] as Christine Johnson
* ] as Judge George
{{div col end}}

==Reception==
John J. O'Connor, writing for '']'':

{{blockquote|This is a portrait of mass hysteria, fueled by panic-stricken parents, overzealous prosecutors, irresponsible talk shows and an out-of-control tabloid press ... Is "Indictment" balanced? Is it fair to the other side? No. As Mr. Mann puts it, "What other side?" Watch it and shudder.<ref>{{cite news | title=The Horrors Behind The McMartin Trial | work=The New York Times | date=1995-05-19 | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE5DB153FF93AA25756C0A963958260 | last=O'Connor | first=John J. | access-date=2009-01-11}}</ref>}}

Also writing for ''The New York Times'', Seth Mydans said:

{{blockquote|The film makes no pretense at objectivity: There are good guys in the McMartin saga, and there are very, very bad guys ... Nor does the film try to examine difficult issues. It is a drama not so much about the painful process of assessing children's stories of abuse or about the fear and guilt their parents feel but about the destructiveness of a system run amok.<ref name=nyt95>{{cite news |last=Mydans |first=Seth |title=A Child-Abuse Case, in the Eyes of the Accused | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DA1531F937A25756C0A963958260 | work=The New York Times | date=1995-05-14 | access-date=2009-01-11}}</ref>}}

The ] described the docudrama as "HBO’s frothing, highly opinionated account of the case".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-20-ca-4032-story.html | title=Revisiting the McMartin Case : 'Indictment,' a Passionate, Highly Opinionated Retelling of the Preschool Sex Abuse Scandal, Hits Hard at TV News Overkill| website=]| date=20 May 1995}}</ref> ] reports this "fact-based HBO Pictures presentation ... makes no apologies for depicting the infamous child molestation case as a witch hunt" and leaves "little leeway for surprise. Even so, the well-acted cabler hits its targets with a take-no-prisoners gusto".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/reviews/indictment-the-mcmartin-trial-1200441639/ |title = Indictment: The Mcmartin Trial|date = 18 May 1995}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=89%
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="15"| {{center|1995}}
| rowspan="7"| ]
| Movie or Miniseries
| ], ], ], Diana Pokorny, ], and Myra Mann
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="7"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-20-ca-47896-story.html |title=HBO Leads the Pack With 89 CableACE Nominations: Television: Nods for 'Larry Sanders,' 'Dream On' push network ahead of Showtime, which garners 36. |last=Margulies |first=Lee |work=] |date=September 20, 1995 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Actor in a Movie or Miniseries
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Actress in a Movie or Miniseries
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Directing a Movie or Miniseries
| Mick Jackson
| {{nom}}
|-
| Editing a Dramatic Special or Series/Theatrical Special/Movie or Miniseries
| ]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="8"| ]
| ]
| Oliver Stone, Janet Yang, Abby Mann, and Diana Pokorny
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="8"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/indictment-mcmartin-trial |title=Indictment: The McMartin Trial |publisher=] |access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| James Woods
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| ]
| Shirley Knight
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with ] for '']''.}}
|-
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Mick Jackson
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Abby Mann and Myra Mann
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| rowspan="2"| Richard A. Harris
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="8"| {{center|1996}}
| ]
| ]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000017/1996/1/?ref_=ev_eh |title=Nominees/Winners |publisher=] |access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| ]
| Mick Jackson
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1990s/1995.aspx?value=1995 |title=48th DGA Awards |publisher=] |access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| Best Television Feature or Miniseries
| Abby Mann and Myra Mann
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://edgarawards.com/category-list-best-tv-feature-or-miniseries/ |title=Best TV Feature or MiniSeries |publisher=] |access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4"| ]
| colspan="2"| ]
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="4"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/indictment-mcmartin-trial |title=Indictment: The McMartin Trial |publisher=] |access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| James Woods
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ]
| Shirley Knight
| {{won}}
|-
| ]
| Best Performance by a Young Actor – TV Special
| ]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm |title=17th Youth in Film Awards |access-date=2011-03-31 |publisher=]s |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060320/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm |archive-date=2011-04-02}}</ref>
|}

==Impact==
The film is cited as a watershed in the shift of ideas about ], recasting Ray Buckey as a victim of a hysterical conspiracy rather than a child abuser.<ref>{{cite book | page = | last = Baringer | first = S | title = The metanarrative of suspicion in late twentieth century America | isbn = 0-415-97076-8| publisher = ] | year = 2004 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0113421}}
*{{Rotten-tomatoes|id=indictment_the_mcmartin_trial}}

{{Mick Jackson}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Indictment: The McMartin Trial''
|list =
{{EmmyAward TelevisionMovie 1980–2000}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film 1971–1999}}
}}

{{Satanic ritual abuse}}

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:47, 21 December 2024

1995 American TV series or program
Indictment: The McMartin Trial
GenreDrama
Thriller
Written byAbby Mann
Myra Mann
Directed byMick Jackson
StarringLolita Davidovich
Shirley Knight
Mercedes Ruehl
Henry Thomas
Sada Thompson
James Woods
Nicollette Sheridan
Roberta Bassin
Theme music composerPeter Rodgers Melnick
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersAbby Mann
Oliver Stone
Janet Yang
ProducerDiana Pokorny
Production locationLos Angeles
CinematographyRodrigo García
EditorRichard A. Harris
Running time131 minutes
Production companiesHBO Pictures
Ixtlan
Abby Mann Productions
Breakheart Films
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseMay 20, 1995 (1995-05-20)

Indictment: The McMartin Trial is a 1995 American film made for television that originally aired on HBO on May 20, 1995. Indictment is based on the true story of the McMartin preschool trial.

Oliver Stone and Abby Mann were executive producers of the film, which was directed by Mick Jackson.

The cast includes James Woods and Mercedes Ruehl, as opposing defense and prosecuting attorneys in the McMartin trial. Henry Thomas, Sada Thompson and Shirley Knight co-star as the defendants in the case, with Lolita Davidovitch as a child-abuse therapist whose findings were crucial to the prosecution's case and Roberta Bassin as the mother who initiated the case.

Summary

A defense lawyer defends an average American family from shocking allegations of child abuse and satanic rituals. After seven years and $15 million, the trial ends with the dismissal of all charges. George Freeman is the star witness in the trial. Kee MacFarlane and Wayne Satz are in a romantic relationship. The poster and ads for the movie declare "The charges were so shocking, the truth didn't matter."

Cast

Reception

John J. O'Connor, writing for The New York Times:

This is a portrait of mass hysteria, fueled by panic-stricken parents, overzealous prosecutors, irresponsible talk shows and an out-of-control tabloid press ... Is "Indictment" balanced? Is it fair to the other side? No. As Mr. Mann puts it, "What other side?" Watch it and shudder.

Also writing for The New York Times, Seth Mydans said:

The film makes no pretense at objectivity: There are good guys in the McMartin saga, and there are very, very bad guys ... Nor does the film try to examine difficult issues. It is a drama not so much about the painful process of assessing children's stories of abuse or about the fear and guilt their parents feel but about the destructiveness of a system run amok.

The Los Angeles Times described the docudrama as "HBO’s frothing, highly opinionated account of the case". Variety reports this "fact-based HBO Pictures presentation ... makes no apologies for depicting the infamous child molestation case as a witch hunt" and leaves "little leeway for surprise. Even so, the well-acted cabler hits its targets with a take-no-prisoners gusto".

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
1995 CableACE Awards Movie or Miniseries Abby Mann, Oliver Stone, Janet Yang, Diana Pokorny, Mick Jackson, and Myra Mann Nominated
Actor in a Movie or Miniseries James Woods Nominated
Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Mercedes Ruehl Nominated
Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Lolita Davidovitch Nominated
Shirley Knight Nominated
Directing a Movie or Miniseries Mick Jackson Nominated
Editing a Dramatic Special or Series/Theatrical Special/Movie or Miniseries Richard A. Harris Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie Oliver Stone, Janet Yang, Abby Mann, and Diana Pokorny Won
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special James Woods Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special Shirley Knight Won
Sada Thompson Nominated
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Miniseries or a Special Mick Jackson Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Special Abby Mann and Myra Mann Nominated
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Casting Mali Finn Nominated
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing for a Miniseries or a Special – Single Camera Production Richard A. Harris Won
1996 American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Motion Picture for Non-Commercial Television Won
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials Mick Jackson Won
Edgar Allan Poe Awards Best Television Feature or Miniseries Abby Mann and Myra Mann Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Won
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television James Woods Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Henry Thomas Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Shirley Knight Won
Young Artist Awards Best Performance by a Young Actor – TV Special Shane Sweet Nominated

Impact

The film is cited as a watershed in the shift of ideas about satanic ritual abuse, recasting Ray Buckey as a victim of a hysterical conspiracy rather than a child abuser.

Notes

  1. Tied with Judy Davis for Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story.

References

  1. ^ Mydans, Seth (1995-05-14). "A Child-Abuse Case, in the Eyes of the Accused". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  2. O'Connor, John J. (1995-05-19). "The Horrors Behind The McMartin Trial". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  3. "Revisiting the McMartin Case : 'Indictment,' a Passionate, Highly Opinionated Retelling of the Preschool Sex Abuse Scandal, Hits Hard at TV News Overkill". Los Angeles Times. 20 May 1995.
  4. "Indictment: The Mcmartin Trial". 18 May 1995.
  5. Margulies, Lee (September 20, 1995). "HBO Leads the Pack With 89 CableACE Nominations: Television: Nods for 'Larry Sanders,' 'Dream On' push network ahead of Showtime, which garners 36". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  6. "Indictment: The McMartin Trial". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  7. "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  8. "48th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  9. "Best TV Feature or MiniSeries". Edgar Awards. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  10. "Indictment: The McMartin Trial". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  11. "17th Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  12. Baringer, S (2004). The metanarrative of suspicion in late twentieth century America. Routledge. p. 71. ISBN 0-415-97076-8.

External links

Films directed by Mick Jackson
Feature films
Television
Awards for Indictment: The McMartin Trial
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie
Golden Globe Award for Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film
1971–2000
2001–present
Satanic panic
List of satanic ritual abuse allegations
Cases and accused
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