Sorry, this movie sucks

Highly Overrated But Still Good

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

When I first saw this docudrama in 1980, I was intrigued by the story. I was very much surprised that the Saudi government made an issue of this film. In essence, what goes in their country stays in their country.I will agree that keeping internal matters is a private affair for a country. However, I will also agree that we can disagree in what goes on in that country.Saudi Arabia is telling us to mind our own business when it comes to the moral affairs within that kingdom. But, Saudi Arabia should mind its own business in telling us -- the Western world -- how to conduct ourselves when it comes to freedom of expression.If there is a story to be told, then we will tell it.

Death Of A Princess is a harrowing true story that will make your heart pound in your chest, and make you feel sick inside.I heard about this movie way back in 1980,but I did not get a chance to see it back then.I just happened to hear about the fact that it was going to be shown once again, but I missed it.I was able to locate the movie, and I purchased it from PBS.When I received the movie, I was apprehensive about actually sitting down and watching it.The very first moment had me spellbound, although I turned my head a way a couple of times, because I did not want to actually see the executions,even though they were supposed to be staged.I was feeling very sorry for the reporter who tried for a long time to seek out the truth.The truth is hard to find when the people do not want the truth to be known.I felt such empathy for the beautiful full of life princess and her boyfriend.I am glad that this story was produced for the world to see.I have a fervent wish that the countries of the middle east would allow their people who want to be free to be allowed to be free.We in America take for granted our right to be free,and we should never forget what a gift that our military over the years has been able to give us.Freedom!I would recommend this movie to people who want to seek the truth about the fundamentalist countries of the middle east.If only our government could see the truth.I have this movie.

I waited 25 years to see this documentary. Producers Antony Thomas and David Fanning did a wonderful job piecing all the parts of the puzzle together about Death of a Princess. After 25 years, PBS finally rebroadcast the film on April 19, 2005. Way too long a wait! Little has changed in the life of a Saudi woman since 1980. She must still obtain permission to travel, attend school, and is not permitted to drive a car. Even extending a pleasant "hello" to an unknown male is forbidden. I believe Princess Misha was trying to prove a point. Unfortunately, she lost her life trying to gain be independent. It is unfortunate that she was stoned to death. Yes, I said stoned to death - she was not shot. Her boyfriend was beheaded. How sad! Even after 25 years, from her unmarked desert grave she cries out for justice. Women of Saudi Arabia need to unite against oppression and male dominance. It amazes me that she was murdered on the orders of her grandfather. I thought "family" is an important aspect of Saudi life. Apparently, because she is a woman, that didn't matter. This documentary should be made into a movie for the big screen. Hollywood, take notice!

What struck me most was how little has changed, here and there. Twenty-five years ago I was living in Birmingham, AL. I was aware of the program only because of the ads against it and some mild coverage in the local press about the decision of the local PBS station's decision not to air the program. Apparently, there was enough Saudi money within our local community that put enough pressure on our own PBS station to pull the plug. Anyway, the concepts and ideas in this presentation still stand the test of time. If anything, they foreshadow what has taken place all these years later. All faiths and religions are corrupted by fundamentalist interpretations. The MSM is even more vulnerable to corruption than that PBS affiliate was all those years ago.One thing that has changed is that I am now a proud citizen of New York City and I finally got to see it on Frontline. I have to wonder if Birmingham was finally lucky as well.