Bell Witch - The Movie

Many of you will have seen me mention the Bell Witch Movie in the weekly newsletter recently and may be wondering what all the fuss is about. I am a great fan of movies that tell the folklore style stories of the places I know and love and the story of the Bell Witch is one that has intrigued people for many years in the hilly world of East Tennessee .

Not only that but the movie boasts a rich soundtrack of authentic mountain music featuring people like Jeff and Vida Band and the Pine Mountain Railroad. This rich musical backdrop only serves as a nice diversion for the strange story that inspired this movie.

People all over this part of Tennessee know the Bell Witch story well. Most believe it is based on real events. In the 1800s a North Carolina native John Bell moved to Tennessee to start a new life. Not a huge move in this day and age but back then it was a major relocation. In the years that followed it is told that John and his family were haunted by the Witch who called herself Kate. It all started they say with a strange encounter that Bell had with a mysterious animal in his corn field which he tried to shoot but which disappeared. Later that night the Bells started to hear beating on the outside walls of their cabin. Of course that was just the beginning of a torment that would end John Bell's life and haunt his family until 1828 when the entity vowed to return in 107 years. The year she was due to return was 1935 and although no real reports of the Bell Witch have surfaced since then many believe that she has taken up residency in Adams, Tennessee.

Director Shane Marr has kept a very authentic feel for the real lives of the characters with this telling of the story. Shot as an independent production and already complete, the only delay in the movie's release seems to be the huge interest from distributors. In the wake of recent paranormal hits such as The Sixth Sense and The Blair Witch Project and movies like O' Brother Where Art Thou and Songcatcher rekindling a love of American folk music and folklore this film has all the makings of a hit. Shane and the production company has promised that we will be the first to know when the release date is finally set and has hinted he may even let us have a well coveted seat at the premiere. And why shouldn't I attend. I have been haunted by a girl called Kate before. But that was a long time ago in my heady youth.

It's alright for you but now I have to walk the dog.and it's dark.

If I don't come back in 10 minutes go to the Bell Witch Movie website at

http://www.bellwitchmovie.com