Indictment: The McMartin Trial Poster

Indictment: The McMartin Trial 1995

★ 7.065 votes135 min📅 1995-05-20

Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) dramatizes one of America's most infamous and protracted legal battles, where a respected preschool family faced baseless accusations of horrific child abuse.

Director: Mick Jackson

Cast

James Woods
James Woods
Danny Davis
Mercedes Ruehl
Mercedes Ruehl
Lael Rubin
Lolita Davidovich
Lolita Davidovich
Kee McFarlane
Sada Thompson
Sada Thompson
Virginia McMartin
Henry Thomas
Henry Thomas
Ray Buckey
Shirley Knight
Shirley Knight
Peggy Buckey
Mark Blum
Mark Blum
Wayne Satz
Alison Elliott
Alison Elliott
Peggy Ann Buckey
Chelsea Field
Chelsea Field
Christine Johnson
Joe Urla
Joe Urla
Glenn Stevens

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) about?

The film follows the McMartin family, who run a preschool, as they face devastating accusations of child molestation in the 1980s. The story unfolds through the lens of a trial that became one of the longest and costliest in U.S. history, revealing how flawed investigations and public hysteria can destroy lives.

Who directed Indictment: The McMartin Trial?

Mick Jackson directed Indictment: The McMartin Trial. Known for his skill in blending dramatic storytelling with real-world events, Jackson brings a nuanced and intense approach to this harrowing true story.

Who stars in Indictment: The McMartin Trial?

The film features James Woods, Mercedes Ruehl, Lolita Davidovich, Sada Thompson, Henry Thomas, and Shirley Knight in prominent roles.

Is Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) worth watching?

Absolutely—if you appreciate thought-provoking drama grounded in real events. As a TV movie drama, it delivers intense performances and a compelling narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. Perfect for viewers who enjoy legal thrillers with a human touch.

How long is Indictment: The McMartin Trial?

The runtime for Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) is 135 minutes.

About Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) — A gripping drama based on a real-life legal nightmare

Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) dramatizes one of America's most infamous and protracted legal battles, where a respected preschool family faced baseless accusations of horrific child abuse. Directed by Mick Jackson, this gripping TV movie thriller plunges viewers into a nightmarish ordeal as the McMartin family's daycare center becomes the center of a media-fueled panic. With emotions running high and the legal system stretched to its limits, the film explores themes of justice, family, and public hysteria—all unfolding against the backdrop of a trial that dragged on for years without credible evidence.

Starring James Woods and Mercedes Ruehl in career-defining roles, the film captures the personal toll of wrongful accusations while exposing systemic failures. The atmosphere crackles with tension as reputations are destroyed and lives are upended, all based on flawed interrogations and unchecked hysteria. Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995) serves as a chilling reminder of how fear can warp justice, leaving an indelible mark on those caught in its path.