The Bell Witch is a paranormal phenomenon that took place in Adams, Tennessee, in the early 19th century. The story revolves around the Bell family, who claimed to have been tormented by an unseen entity known as the Bell Witch. It all began in 1817 when John Bell, the patriarch of the family, encountered a strange-looking animal while inspecting his cornfield. This animal seemed to have the ability to disappear and reappear at will, leaving Bell confused and intrigued. Shortly after this encounter, strange occurrences started happening in and around the Bell family home. The haunting started subtly, with peculiar noises and unexplained scratching sounds.
The haunting started subtly, with peculiar noises and unexplained scratching sounds. As time went on, the entity grew bolder, attacking family members and even speaking to them. The Bell Witch allegedly had an eerie, high-pitched voice and could mimic various animals and even speak in different languages.
The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020)
Alongside the Borley Rectory haunting, the story of the ‘Bell Witch’ (or the ‘Tennessee demon’) is one of those stories which made a big impression on me when I was a child, something I first encountered in a ‘mysteries of the unexplained’ compendium and which I’ve reflected on ever since with a mixture of fascination and horror. But just what is it about this story which has given it such longevity? Such reach? Documentary film The Mark of the Bell Witch (2020) both explores the story and attempts to answer that question, and it makes for an engaging watch overall.
The film itself starts with the deathbed scene of John Bell in 1820, a gentleman farmer whose family had for years been apparently afflicted by a peculiar kind of haunting. It’s chaptered – every independent film seems to be chaptered these days – but the film goes back to the birth of the phenomena, from the knocks and rapping which the family first noticed, to the appearance of strange animals on the farm and then the disembodied voice of what came to be known as ‘Kate’, an entity which could apparently discourse on scripture with members of the community, as well as taking an active interest in the activities of the family. There really isn’t a story quite like this, in the sense that the Bell Witch haunting seems to draw in key supernatural tropes but then builds on them, extending them in ways which seem completely implausible. The ‘witch’ is by turns a poltergeist and an omniscient being, a recognisable ghost which behaves like ghosts are renowned to do, and then again the phenomena also encompasses cryptids, the whole ‘Indian burial ground’ folklore and notions of a generational curse. Describing all of this we have a range of local experts, authors and folklorists who offer insights as to how the story has survived and thrived as part of the fabric of Tennessee culture.
The film is decently-edited, blending interviews with period re-enactments (which largely work well, one curious wig notwithstanding), illustrations (contemporary and modern) and photos, which contribute towards the sense of place which is a vital plank of the film overall. There’s some narration too, with some accounts written by members of the Bell family being read aloud. In a nutshell, there’s plenty here to keep the attention and a few scenes worthy of a horror film. The film’s dispassionate treatment of its subject matter actually makes it very unsettling, actually, and it is still a scary tale. Some of the scenes – the point in the story where the Bell family reported hearing choking and gurgling at the foot of their beds, for example – are genuinely unpleasant; how could they not be? All of that being said, I do feel that the film’s attempts to really get under the skin of what makes this legend so enduring isn’t wholly there, and there is still a great deal of scope to explore it further. For instance, there are so many contemporary accounts of people visiting the farm and conversing with the ‘witch’ herself; was this a mass delusion of some kind? How did people at the time account for it? There are still questions to explore, and whilst the film does touch on these, there are still some points where I would love to know more.
However, regardless of the fact that The Mark of the Bell Witch doesn’t quite get to the heart of the story, it’s a diverting watch nonetheless and it was certainly interesting to hear it being explored from a folklorist perspective, as it is here. If you have an interest in the legend, then you could do far worse than give this film an hour and a half of your time.
Before this review begins, it should be noted that I do not believe in ghosts. I do not believe in spooks or specters, either. I do not believe in UFOs, astral projection, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster, or the theory of Atlantis. That being said, a lot of unexplained and spooky bullshit went on at the Bell Residence in the 1800s, and the whole mess has become such a blurred mixture of myth and legend that, at this point, there’s really no telling what the fuck went on back then. Despite that, Seth Breedlove brings his authentic and skilled director’s eye to the legend, breaking down the so-called events in THE MARK OF THE BELL WITCH.
The entity seemed to have a personal grudge against John Bell and his daughter Betsy, often targeting them specifically. It would slap Betsy, pull her hair, and even leave visible handprints and welts on her body. The haunting became so intense that it attracted the attention of the local community and religious leaders. Numerous witnesses, including family friends, neighbors, and even future President Andrew Jackson, reported experiencing the Bell Witch's malevolence firsthand. As the story spread, people from far and wide came to witness the phenomenon, making the Bell family's home a spectacle. Attempts were made to communicate with the entity, and it claimed to be the spirit of a neighbor named Kate Batts who had been mistreated by John Bell. The Bell Witch stated that her mission was to torment and eventually kill John Bell, which it ultimately succeeded in doing. John Bell's death was attributed to the Bell Witch's influence. The Bell Witch phenomenon remains one of the most well-documented cases of paranormal activity in American history. It has inspired numerous books, movies, and folklore, making it a popular topic among paranormal enthusiasts. The haunting has been the subject of many debates, with skeptics questioning its authenticity while others firmly believe in its existence. Whether the Bell Witch was a genuine supernatural entity or a product of superstition and folklore, its mark on the Bell family and the town of Adams, Tennessee, will never be forgotten. The legend of the Bell Witch lives on, continuing to intrigue and mystify those who seek to understand the unexplained..
Reviews for "The Bell Witch: America's First Recorded Poltergeist Case"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Mark of the Bell Witch" to be quite disappointing. The plot was thin and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The scares were also lacking, with no real tension or build-up. The film relied heavily on cheap jump scares, which became tiresome after a while. Overall, I was not impressed with this movie and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror film.
2. Sarah - 1 star - This film was a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at best. The story was poorly executed, leaving me confused and uninterested throughout the entire film. The supposed scares were laughable and lacked any originality. I regretted watching this movie and wish I had spent my time on something more worthwhile.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "The Mark of the Bell Witch" had potential but fell flat in many aspects. The pacing was slow, making the movie feel longer than it actually was. The scares were predictable, and the plot twists were easily guessable. The characters lacked depth, making it hard to empathize or care about their fates. Overall, I found this film unremarkable and forgettable.