Search - Not Without My Daughter on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Profanity Movie Release: 1990 DVD Release: 10/02/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 56 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 13 Genres: Drama, Escape Film, Docudrama, Political Drama

In this docudrama based on true events, a mid-'80s Michigan housewife finds her life turned upside down when a vacation to Tehran with her Iranian husband turns into virtual imprisonment for her and her young daughter. Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field) is reluctant to visit the wartorn homeland of her doctor husband, Moody (Alfred Molina). But, depressed about the racism of the American medical establishment and pining for contact with his family, Moody convinces her to join him for a two-week jaunt. The Islamic fundamentalism and strange customs of Iran bewilder and frighten Betty and her daughter, Mahtob (Sheila Rosenthal). But nothing prepares her for Moody's announcement that the family will be remaining in Tehran indefinitely. Despite beatings and more pervasive psychological control from her husband and his relatives, Betty makes it to the Swiss embassy (there is no American ambassador at the time). There, she learns that as the wife of an Iranian, she is now automatically considered a citizen and that she has absolutely no parental rights over Mahtob in this country. Betty then endures several years as a virtual prisoner, escaping only with the help of Westernized Iranian friends. Based on the book by the real-life Mahmoody and William Hoffer, Not Without My Daughter was coincidentally released during the long build-up to 1991's Gulf War. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Sally Field - Betty Mahmoody
Alfred Molina - Moody
Sheila Rosenthal - Mahtob
Roshan Seth - Houssein
Sarah Badel - Nicole

Not Without My Daughter, Brian Gilbert's story of a mother's struggle to retrieve her kidnapped child, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround, while a Spanish soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed captioned. Supplemental materials include a making-of featurette and the original theatrical trailer. This MGM/UA release does a fine job of presenting the film and is reasonably priced, making it worthwhile for anyone interested in the film. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide