May 9, 2003

Bell Witch movie

Posted by Larry Karnowski at May 9, 2003 8:31 AM

I just learned about a new movie from the BGRASS-L mailing list that takes the legend of the Bell Witch, a famous (and I guess fairly well-documented) case of a poltergeist/spirit haunting the Bell family of what became Adams, Tennessee. This is interesting to me, not only because it's being filmed in my home of East Tennessee, but because it's kind of a "hillbilly horror movie" -- think Poltergeist meets Songcatcher, as strange as that seems. It'll probably suck, but I know I'll have to see it. The one thing I couldn't find out was when the damn movie is scheduled for release! (Even IMDB is clueless about it!)

Anyway, there should be a fairly decent soundtrack coming out of it at the very least, with lots of old time mountain songs and Bluegrass. The main artist to date is the band Pine Mountain Railroad, natives of Pigeon Forge, who I just recently learned of at Merlefest 2003. They are a powerful live band, with CDs that are slowly growing on me. (The CDs didn't grab me at first I must admit, completely unlike their live performances.) One of the PMRR's original songs, The Foundation -- a spooky ghost story about an old mountain church, was in the movie's trailer, and the band appears in the movie. The movie's website has an interview with Jimbo Whaley, the PMRR lead singer.

Comments

They have been talking about making that movie for years. I think I remember hearing last year they had begun filming... so I imagine it should be close to finished or even close to release. I am sure it depended on their budget & funding.

Posted by: Saundra at May 10, 2003 12:04 AM

I read the story of the Bell Witch when I was in grade school, must of been about 10 years old or so. I'm 33 now and every time I hear of, or read the story again it still gives me the chills. Let's hope Hollywood doesnt try to turn this into a Scream or I Know What You Did Last Summer type of thing. If they do this right, it could surpass the Exorcist as the scariest movie ever made.?????

Posted by: Shawn at July 20, 2003 11:56 PM

You wouldn't have to worry about that, Hollywood ain't doing this film. It's independent.

And no, it's not a Hillybilly horror flick, it's a true scary story.

Posted by: Chase at September 1, 2003 12:08 AM