About Indictment: The McMartin Trial (HBO)

The HBO film, 'Indictment: The McMartin Trial', released in 1995, dramatizes the real-life events of the McMartin child abuse case in the 1980s. The movie highlights the devastating effects of media hype, mass hysteria, and overzealous policing that turned an investigation into a witch-hunt.

Detailed Plot and Summary

The story revolves around a daycare center, McMartin Preschool, run by the McMartin family in California. When a mother, Judy Johnson, suspects her child to be a victim of sexual abuse at the daycare, she reports it to the police, prompting a dramatic trial against the McMartin family. The investigation spirals out of control with a massive public outcry and media frenzy, leading to allegations against seven members of the McMartin family, including five women and two men. Despite the lack of concrete evidence and the questionable methods used in interviewing the children, the prosecution presses on, enveloping the defendants' lives and reputations in turmoil.

Making / Production

'Indictment: The McMartin Trial' is directed by Mick Jackson and written by Abby Mann and Myra Mann. The film is known for its dramatized portrayal of one of the most prolonged and infamous child molesting cases in the United States.

Actors

• James Woods as Danny Davis: Woods delivers an impressive performance as the defense lawyer who stands up to defend the accused despite public sentiment against them.
• Mercedes Ruehl as Lael Rubin: Ruehl plays the ambitious Deputy District Attorney looking to secure convictions against the McMartin family, presenting a nuanced portrayal of the face of dogged prosecution.
• Henry Thomas as Ray Buckey: Thomas is Ray Buckey, the main accused in the trial, who maintains his innocence while fighting the chilling charges against him.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is based on the real-life McMartin preschool trial which ran for seven years (1984-1990), making it the longest in American history.
• James Woods won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Emmy for his performance in the film.
• The film illustrates the controversial use of suggestive interview techniques on children, sparking a global debate on the subject.

Awards

The movie was well received by critics and won several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and three Primetime Emmy Awards. James Woods' gripping portrayal of Danny Davis won him the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special. The film itself was honored with the Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.

Quotes

• "If the McMartin family can be perceived as a bunch of child molesters... who's safe?" - Danny Davis.
• "Conviction is not a substitute for evidence." - Danny Davis.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Peter Rodgers Melnick, providing an emotional backdrop to the intense courtroom drama and personal conflict.