Unter Anklage – Der Fall McMartin (TV Movie 1995)
65KUnter Anklage – Der Fall McMartin: Directed by Mick Jackson. With James Woods, Mercedes Ruehl, Lolita Davidovich, Sada Thompson. Based on a real-life court case, the film finds members of the McMartin family on trial for alleged sexual molestation and abuse of children at their well-regarded preschool. Publicity-seeking attorney Danny Davis initially defends the McMartins for selfish reasons, but he slowly begins to believe that they are innocent. Davis has his work cut out for him, however, since the media have demonized the family, and prosecuting lawyer Lael Rubin is a tough opponent.
“A brilliant account of justice gone haywire as an innocent family is dragged through the courts and all but destroyed by rumours of child abuse. This (true) story is a universal one – it all happened in the early eighties but similar injustices have happened again in Britain recently following witch-hunts by irresponsible national newspapers. (Do we never learn?) The film itself is excellent, with fabulous performances all round but especially by an as-always-knockout James Woods and Mercedes Ruehl. Director Mick Jackson moves it along at a terrific pace – two and quarter hours flies by. Highly recommended!”
