Project Detail

An American Haunting

Synopsis

Based on the true story of The Bell Witch of Tennessee, the story is of a spirit which attacked the wealthy and highly respected Bell family for four years, eventually causing the death of one of them.

In 1818, the family began to experience disturbances on their property. At first, slight and unexplained noises; but the spirit began to grow, becoming aggressive and singling out the father, John and his only daughter Betsy. The attacks on Betsy were vicious and unstoppable, with her being brutally beaten regularly.

The family desperately searched for the cause of the spirit in the hope of finding a way of defeating it. They tried exorcism and moving Betsy from the house, but the spirit continued its brutal assault. It developed voices and began speaking to the family, but refusing to say why it was there. Then, finally, it pronounced a death sentence on John. Within a year, he was dead. Shortly thereafter, the spirit left the family in peace, but never the same.

It would not be until years later that we can be taken back to the terrible night the spirit was born and find out the horrific truth about its nature and origin.

Details

Year
2006
Type of film
Features
Running time
90 mins
Format
35mm
Director
Courtney Solomon
Producer
Allan Zeman, Robbie Little, Lawrence Steven Meyers, Julien Rémillard, Maxime Rémillard, Simon Franks, Zygi Kamasa, Andrei Boncea
Editor
Richard Comeau
Screenwriter
Courtney Solomon
Director of Photography
Adrian Biddle BSC
Sound
Michel B. Bordeleau
Composer
Caine Davidson
Principal cast
Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, James D'Arcy, Rachel Hurd-Wood

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

Midsummer Films

33 St Lawrence Terrace
London W10 5SR
UK

T+44 (0)20 8932 8870

admin@midsummerfilms.com

Sales Company

Meyers Little Films Sales

2161 N. Bronson Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068
USA

T +1 (323) 468 9888

LawrenceSMeyers@aol.com

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

No Women No Children No Women No Children

Director: Akporé Uzoh

Year: 2025

The aftermath of a sexual assault (rape). Exploring the deep-felt consequences for all involved. At its heart an epic story of a couple's fight for the survival of their love.

blue image tile Test Record for Edit Access

Director: Test Record for Edit Access

Year: 2025

Test Record for Edit Access. Test Record for Edit Access. Test Record for Edit Access

Hannah Onslow as 'Elle' in 'The Second Time Around' (2025) The Second Time Around

Director: Jack Howard

Year: 2025

On a rainy night, while closing a café, a young waitress is confronted by a mysterious older woman. Official Selection Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2025 Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 Official Selection HollyShorts Film Festival 2025