In my opinion, the true Bell Witch story gives an excellent opportunity for a great American ghost story/horror film, by simply using the facts of the true story from early 1800's Tennessee. Why did the producers feel the need to turn it into a completely different plot/ending? The only thing about the film that is consistent with the true Bell Witch story is the names of the characters and that it is set in early 1800's Tennessee. In fact, if I was a descendant of John Bell or Betsy Bell or any of the people referenced in this movie (and there are lots of them), I would be appalled at the way they portray John Bell as a child abusing rapist. What was the need in that? Was this a true American "ghost story", or was it a movie about child abuse and rape? In my opinion, child abuse and rape are far too important of a subject matter to be something that is thrown in at the end of an otherwise true American ghost story, just to provide a "shocking twist" for the end of the movie. It had nothing to do with the true story, and frankly, I think it was just thrown in to add interest, and that is not a very appreciative thing to do. Being from near the area where this true story supposedly happened, I somewhat know about this story, and have even visited the site in Adams, TN. And I would imagine that all involved in the true story are not very appreciative of the movie's "choice" of turning John Bell into a child abusing rapist.
I gave it a 4, because they chose a story that COULD'VE been a great ghost story, it does have a decent cast, and the acting is not "bad". But, like most Hollywood "horror films" of today, it has to throw in that "shocking twist" at the end that just screws up everything, and even makes it go completely off course from the original, true plot. They could've made it a great one, and they screwed it up. It's not un-entertaining. It has some pretty cool effects, and some good scary scenes. If it weren't for those, I would've given it a lower rating. But in my opinion, it is a story/plot/cast that could've possibly received a 10-star rating had they simply stuck to the original TRUE story.
Enjoy
I gave it a 4, because they chose a story that COULD'VE been a great ghost story, it does have a decent cast, and the acting is not "bad". But, like most Hollywood "horror films" of today, it has to throw in that "shocking twist" at the end that just screws up everything, and even makes it go completely off course from the original, true plot. They could've made it a great one, and they screwed it up. It's not un-entertaining. It has some pretty cool effects, and some good scary scenes. If it weren't for those, I would've given it a lower rating. But in my opinion, it is a story/plot/cast that could've possibly received a 10-star rating had they simply stuck to the original TRUE story.
Enjoy