[Zeus]

Based on true events that took place in Tennessee during the 1800s, An American Haunting tells the story of the only documented case in U.S. history (validated by the State of Tennessee) in which a spirit caused a person’s death. With over 20 books written on the subject, and a town that still lives in fear of the spiritës return, the story is terrifying.


can anyone please tell me more about this diary found in that house? can anyone tell me what kind of ghost is this, cause as far as I've known, this is the most powerful ghost I've heard of, in my entire life, and Iknow nearly nothing on it.

[Gigan]

Google 'Bell Witch' and you have the 'true' story that was recently made into the movie. I believe there is a thread in this section I started about paranormal related movies, an American Haunting is mentioned there also

[Chase]

It was a rather good film actually... I didnt get the ending though :s

[MoonPrincess]

The Bell Witch is a interesting story. I did some research on it. But the ghost is far more interesting. I feel bad for the family who was put though all of that. And the daughter herself.

I wonder if she'll reappear again. Oh well.

[Gigan]

It was a classic example of a poltergeist, the catalyst (the girl in the movie who was molested by her father), basically turns her anger and hatred into an outwardly directed force (or 'poltergeist). Thats why when the father died, the family where no longer subject to the attacks. I believe that in the actual documented account of the Bell Witch, the 'entity' threatened that it would return at some point in the future, but never did...

[Chase]

I LOVE stories about poltergeists... I cant count how many times I've watched The Entitiy and I swear I get more scared every time!

[Gigan]

Chase, on Oct 10 2006, 12:19 PM, said:

I LOVE stories about poltergeists... I cant count how many times I've watched The Entitiy and I swear I get more scared every time!

In that case my friend, you should check out the case of The Enfield Poltergeist, some info can be found HERE

A very interesting series of events....

I would even say that it was a blueprint for the Ghos****ch mockumentary.

[Chase]

Oh wow nice one Gigan thanks for that! *shudders*

Your a right little paranormal genius aren't you?

[MoonPrincess]

Gigan, on Oct 10 2006, 01:23 PM, said:

In that case my friend, you should check out the case of The Enfield Poltergeist, some info can be found HERE

A very interesting series of events....

I would even say that it was a blueprint for the Ghos****ch mockumentary.

Hey thanks for the link. It seems interesting.

Yeah, the ghost said she was going to return. But never actually did. What about the cave nearby? They say that cave is really creepy & haunted. They say the ghost lives there or something. Gotta pick up my book again with the story in it.

[Chase]

Sounds interesting moon princess let us know what the book says!

[Zeus]

hey guys, thanks for all the info, it was helpfull, anyway, so can anyone tell me if this "american haunting" story was real?

[Scout]

GlamRockEliteSinger, on Oct 28 2006, 02:23 AM, said:

hey guys, thanks for all the info, it was helpfull, anyway, so can anyone tell me if this "american haunting" story was real?

It was as real as most history from that period. Things were not questioned as closely in those times. There was such an incident and the father was indeed killed.

[Zeus]

thanks a lot scout, do you happen to know any more details that happened in real life that were left out in the movie?

[Scout]

GlamRockEliteSinger, on Oct 29 2006, 11:26 PM, said:

thanks a lot scout, do you happen to know any more details that happened in real life that were left out in the movie?

I used to watch A LOT of movies on DVD and PPV, but I have two little ones who dominate the TeeVee now and my wife has taken to watching re-runs of her soaps after those two are put to bed. So I seldom see movies anymore. I probably know a little more about The American Haunting than most who haven't seen it, because I've read quite a bit about it on IMDb, another site I frequent.

You might want to check out IMDb (Internet Movie Database), because it has been awhile since I read about it. If my memory is correct, the movie was a fairly accurate representation of events that occurred. I'm not well enough versed on either the movie or the incident to go back and talk about individual incidents. The case of the Bell Witch is a famous one though, and is well-documented. A casual search should bring you more info than you will ever need or read.

Where the movie is possibly inaccurate, is in its basic premise. I think it has Mr. Bell, the target of the witch's anger (The Bell Witch would be more accurately termed a demon than a witch) molesting and abusing his daughter. None of the old literature on The Bell Witch, even hints at this being the case. Of course it is possible, but given the fact that it is now "in" to suspect most males of molesting SOMEBODY, it is more likely a "fad" answer to a baffling and complex question: What was the witch and what were its motives for the haunting?

So it ends up being a decent movie about a real happening which accurately depicts most of the incidents but is probably deeply flawed due to a faulty premise.

[Chase]

Well put scout! It is indeed a good film but as you say it is indeed deeply floored due to a faulty premise... I couldn't have put it better myself!

[Lord Umbarger]

Quote

do you happen to know any more details that happened in real life that were left out in the movie?

Google "The Bell Witch". There are several pretty good articles there on the "true" story of the witch.

If they had changed the family name in the movie, you'd havae never guessed that it was tied into the old Appalation legend.

Supposedly, the premise is true. It even involved one of the U.S. Presidents coming to believe inthe witch. The movie on the other hand, was made to look like a Lifetime Network Monday Night Special.

The "real" story is much better and a little more creepy. Google it and see for yourself.

[Chase]

Thanks Lord Umbarger, and welcome to GM!

The movie does indeed incoporate eveything that is hollywood!

[Heathyr]

http://castleofspiri.../bellwitch.html

[Chase]

Thanks for that heathyr! A really interesting read! If not terryifing

[Aliamaru]

This is a favorite of mine!

I used to live not far from the Georgia/Tennessee state lines, so it wasn't that big of a deal to take a trip out that way.
I've heard the story all my life, but not once had I ever heard or read of the daughter being molested and manifesting her emotions as a poltergiest.

That was an interesting twist that I thought, and still tend to think that Hollywood added in there just to add to the emotional value of the film.

Quote

Yet, those who witnessed the demonstrations knew that it had a wonderful power of intelligence, possessing great knowledge of men and things; a spirit that could apparently read minds, tell men’s secrets, repeat sermons word for word and sing every song in the hymn book. It often assumed a pious character, enjoying religious discussions and quoting scripture with absolute accuracy.

That is what drew me in when I would hear someone tell the story of the Bell Witch, that it always sounded like an intelligent haunting rather than a poltergiest or a residual haunting.

I get back to the east, this is the first place on my trip list.

http://www.bellwitchcave.com/
The cave located on the property once owned by John Bell.
They give guided tours and do something special on Halloween if you call in advance, but they do have to close sometimes due to the cave flooding.

There are some pretty cool looking cave pictures and one or two where they think something "paranormal" was going on, butthat one is double exposure and the other just looks like someone letting cigarette smoke roll out.

You decide.