Indictment: The McMartin Trial

This made-for-television movie chronicles the longest and most publicized child abuse trial in U.S. history. It focuses on the accusations against Virginia McMartin and her daughter, Peggy McMartin Buckey, who ran a preschool in Southern California, and the subsequent legal battles that gripped the nation. The film explores the intense media scrutiny, the controversial prosecution, and the devastating impact on the accused and their families.

The film was widely praised for its sensitive and gripping portrayal of a complex and disturbing case. Critics lauded the performances, particularly from James Woods and Lolita Davidovich, and the meticulous direction that captured the procedural and emotional weight of the trial. It is considered a powerful examination of a miscarriage of justice and the dangers of mass hysteria.

• Praised for its intense and gripping dramatization of a real-life legal battle.

• James Woods's performance as defense attorney Bruce Smith was particularly lauded.

• The film effectively captures the emotional toll and societal impact of the McMartin preschool trial.

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Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special (James Woods) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special (Lolita Davidovich).

The McMartin preschool trial, which lasted seven years and cost an estimated $15 million, is often cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of "recovered memory" and "Satanic panic" in the legal system.