"The Mark of the Bell Witch" The Bell Witch is a legendary figure in American folklore, known for her malevolent and haunting presence. The story of the Bell Witch is said to have taken place in the early 19th century in Adams, Tennessee. The ghostly entity is believed to have tormented the Bell family for many years, leaving an enduring mark on the community. According to popular accounts, the haunting began in 1817 when John Bell Sr., the patriarch of the family, encountered a strange animal while working on his farm. From there, the Bell household became the target of seemingly supernatural occurrences.
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.
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. Shortly after that, they start experiencing wacky stuff like the sound of invisible dogs fighting, an unseen entity gnawing at bed legs, chains rattling around the house, and something yanking them out of bed.
From there, the Bell household became the target of seemingly supernatural occurrences. The entity, often described as a poltergeist, would torment the family with physical assaults, disturbing noises, and even spoken threats. Betsy Bell, the youngest daughter of the family, seemed to bear the brunt of the witch's wrath.
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.
THE MARK OF THE BELL WITCH is now available to rent or own on Amazon Instant Video, Vimeo OnDemand, DVD, and VIDI Space. Blu-ray and DVD copies will be available exclusively from the Small Town Monsters Shop.
She would often be slapped, hit, and kicked by an invisible force. The entity also seemed to take an interest in her romantic life, interfering with her relationships and even promising to kill her fiance. As the haunting persisted, word of the Bell family's plight spread, attracting numerous visitors and investigators. Many people came from far and wide to witness the strange events surrounding the Bell Witch. Even renowned figures, such as General Andrew Jackson, are said to have encountered the entity during their visits. The mark left by the Bell Witch extended beyond the family and their home. It left an indelible impression on the community of Adams. Numerous books, articles, and songs have been written about the haunting, solidifying its place in American folklore. The legend of the Bell Witch continues to captivate audiences, and the story has been adapted into movies and even a musical. To this day, the Bell Witch is a topic of fascination and speculation. Some believe it was a vengeful spirit, others argue it was a poltergeist, and some even suggest it was a manifestation of a deeper family conflict. Regardless, the mark of the Bell Witch remains as a symbol of the inexplicable and eerie nature of the supernatural world. The tale has become a part of the fabric of American folklore, reminding us that the boundary between the living and the dead is sometimes blurred, and that the mysteries of the unknown are not easily explained..
Reviews for "The Witch's Brand: Interpreting the Mark of the Bell Witch"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Mark of the Bell Witch". The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The pacing was also way too slow for my liking, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it.
2. Josh - 1/5 - This book was an absolute snooze fest. I found the writing style to be dull and uninteresting. The plot was predictable and offered no surprises. The supposed suspense was non-existent, and the attempts at horror were laughable. I felt like I wasted my time reading this book. I would not recommend "The Mark of the Bell Witch" to anyone looking for an engaging and thrilling read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high expectations for "The Mark of the Bell Witch", but sadly, it fell short. The story had potential, but it failed to deliver on the promise of a chilling tale. The characters were poorly developed, and I didn't feel invested in their fates. The writing style was also lackluster and failed to create a sense of tension or fear. Overall, this book didn't live up to the hype, and I was left feeling underwhelmed.
4. Michael - 2/5 - I found "The Mark of the Bell Witch" to be quite underwhelming. The paranormal elements were not convincing, and the overall story lacked coherence. The pacing was slow, and the narrative felt disjointed at times. The ending was also unsatisfying and left me with more questions than answers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted horror novel.
5. Emma - 2/5 - "The Mark of the Bell Witch" failed to capture my attention. The writing style was unengaging and failed to create a sense of atmosphere. The characters felt flat and lacked development, making it difficult to care about their struggles. The plot was also predictable, offering no surprises or twists. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to fans of the horror genre.