Uploaded December 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a short film documentary about the fabled Gates of Hell, an urban legend in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I made this film for my final project in my Media Arts I class. The legend states that in the 1950s, a deranged father murdered his wife and kids on their secluded property in the woods. He hung their bodies from the gate at the bottom of their long driveway, before killing himself as well.
The abandoned property remained in the woods for half a century before being torn down in 2004, when construction of a new neighborhood began in the area. I've wanted to make a film about the legend for some time, and I finally seized the opportunity to do so. It's been a decade since anyone made a substantial video regarding the legend. The documentary delves into the past and the history behind the legend, while also raising speculation about the property's history and viewing the area as it looks today.
The documentary stars Gabe Sagherian and Alex Fanelli, and features Chris Lombardo, Sean Larkin and Bailey Gonzaga in supporting roles. The documentary also serves as Bailey's acting debut in our projects. Special thanks to Chris Trojak and Conrad Zimmer for the archival footage and pictures in the film, and to Jason Bowman for filling me in on the property's history.
We hope you enjoy!
This is a short film documentary about the fabled Gates of Hell, an urban legend in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I made this film for my final project in my Media Arts I class. The legend states that in the 1950s, a deranged father murdered his wife and kids on their secluded property in the woods. He hung their bodies from the gate at the bottom of their long driveway, before killing himself as well.
The abandoned property remained in the woods for half a century before being torn down in 2004, when construction of a new neighborhood began in the area. I've wanted to make a film about the legend for some time, and I finally seized the opportunity to do so. It's been a decade since anyone made a substantial video regarding the legend. The documentary delves into the past and the history behind the legend, while also raising speculation about the property's history and viewing the area as it looks today.
The documentary stars Gabe Sagherian and Alex Fanelli, and features Chris Lombardo, Sean Larkin and Bailey Gonzaga in supporting roles. The documentary also serves as Bailey's acting debut in our projects. Special thanks to Chris Trojak and Conrad Zimmer for the archival footage and pictures in the film, and to Jason Bowman for filling me in on the property's history.
We hope you enjoy!
