An American Haunting

The movie is actually based on a purportedly true story. Andrew Jackson was quoted as saying, "I would rather take on the entire English Fleet than stay one night at the Bell House," however his presence at the house is disputed and there are no official records that confirm he was actually present or witnessed any supernatural activity. The haunting is documented in M. V. Ingram's 1894 book, "An Authenticated History of The Famous Bell Witch". This movie was based on the book by Brent Monahan, "The Bell Witch: An American Haunting the Famous Bell Witch". However, the Ingram book has been called into question by researchers, who have noted that it's based on secondhand accounts and that no firsthand accounts to the haunting survive, and records from the time have not supported the story of the haunting. The Ingram book calls on quotes from letters and diaries but those documents no longer exist (if they ever did) and it is impossible to verify if the haunting actually happened or if it was a hoax or an early urban legend. Some researchers have even raised the possibility that the Ingram book was actually a work of fiction now mistakenly believed to be a factual account.

This movie is set in 1817-1820. Richard and Betsy were married "shortly after" Betsy's father died. The walls are adorned with their wedding photos, but photography was not introduced until 1839. Even then the pictures would have been small hand held daguerreotypes, not big framed enlargements.

The DVD is released in an Unrated Version, which has a number of differences from the original PG-13 version.

Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Babel/Catch a Fire/Running with Scissors/Death of a President/The Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006)