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Editorial Reviews
Winner of the International Critics' Award at the Toronto Film Festival, DEATH OF A PRESIDENT is conceived as a fictional TV documentary broadcast in 2008, reflecting on a monstrous and cataclysmic event: the assassination of President George W. Bush on October 19th, 2007. The "documentary" artfully combines archival footage and carefully composed interviews presented in a respectful and dignified manner. The film doesn't advocate violence; rather, it shows its pernicious effects. It is exciting and questioning, and it offers viewers a riveting story -- creating a provocative political thriller that reveals larger truths.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Finding out all of the angry press that preceded the release of DEATH OF A PRESIDENT, I just knew I had to see it. Unfortunately I couldn't watch it on a big screen, as Regal and Cinemark (the two largest cinema chains in the nation) refused to release it on their screens. In addition to this blow, the film was again hamstrung in its marketing department by CNN and NPR who refused to run ads. Politicians lambasted the film without ever seeing it, including (surprisingly!) Hillary Clinton who called it, "...despicable...", "...absolutely outrageous...", and "...evil..." To say that I was positively drooling to see it would be an understatement! And now that I've watched it I have to ask: What was all the hubbub about? Film makers have made projects with far less taste and were much more politically charged than this mock shockumentary. The most interesting fact is that the film doesn't take a political stance (neither left nor right) but simply explores what might happen if President Bush were assassinated. The phony documentary excellently utilizes stock news footage mixed with CGI and fictional characters/situations. Trying to tell what's real and what's "inserted" is impossible, which bumps this film up a notch in terms of entertainment.
Watching Dick Cheney give a eulogy for 'Dubya' was impressive, too, as the editors sliced and diced pieces of dialogue from Ronald Reagon's funeral in with some later speeches used by the VP.
It was entertaining to see what Cheney might do if confronted with such a situation. The news media coverage of the events were believable and, probably, sadly accurate (on another plain of existence, that is). That they would seek out members of the Muslim faith in which to pin the assassination on would not surprise me in the slightest considering this administration's track record on such things. This is not a jab at their policies, per se, but only an overall view of how narrowminded the Bush administration is when it comes to international relations ("You're either with us or against us").
The only negative aspect to the film is that it's pretty slow. The only action is during demonstrations in Chicago (again, mocked) and the actual time of the assassination. The rest is dedicated to mock news footage and mockumentary style interviews with people who were affected (directly) by the assassination.
Still, this is an interesting "what-if" that'll spark some great discussions. My only concern might be that on August 19, 2007 some sick-o might take it upon himself to make this a reality. I hope all people realize that killing is wrong, regardless of how you feel about the person. This was simply a film designed to make you think about where we are in the world right now, not to take drastic measures into one's own hands.
Watching Dick Cheney give a eulogy for 'Dubya' was impressive, too, as the editors sliced and diced pieces of dialogue from Ronald Reagon's funeral in with some later speeches used by the VP.
It was entertaining to see what Cheney might do if confronted with such a situation. The news media coverage of the events were believable and, probably, sadly accurate (on another plain of existence, that is). That they would seek out members of the Muslim faith in which to pin the assassination on would not surprise me in the slightest considering this administration's track record on such things. This is not a jab at their policies, per se, but only an overall view of how narrowminded the Bush administration is when it comes to international relations ("You're either with us or against us").
The only negative aspect to the film is that it's pretty slow. The only action is during demonstrations in Chicago (again, mocked) and the actual time of the assassination. The rest is dedicated to mock news footage and mockumentary style interviews with people who were affected (directly) by the assassination.
Still, this is an interesting "what-if" that'll spark some great discussions. My only concern might be that on August 19, 2007 some sick-o might take it upon himself to make this a reality. I hope all people realize that killing is wrong, regardless of how you feel about the person. This was simply a film designed to make you think about where we are in the world right now, not to take drastic measures into one's own hands.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The fictional "Death of a President" (2006) has more plausibility and resonance a year after its initial release. Despite the occasional heavy-handedness of his fauxumentary approach, director/co-writer Gabriel Range reveals some provocative truths about America and its reaction to a hypothetical assassination. Now that the controversy and critical brickbats have died down, this flawed but fascinating film can be seen in a more objective light.
31 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic, thought-provoking, and taut. Strong words for a film which is a speculative fictional film about the supposed assassination of the President of the United States, and subsequent investigation of the crime. Though drawing controversy over its realism and incorporation of contemporary issues (the Patriot Act, US presence in Iraq, public dissatisfaction with George Bush, Jr's term in office), the film is at its heart a suspense tale, building drama over how and why the crime occurs.
Ignore the nay-saying criticism and enjoy this film for what it is. A political thriller done as well as the best.
Ignore the nay-saying criticism and enjoy this film for what it is. A political thriller done as well as the best.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS . . . . .!!
This is a must see movie full on everything!! It builds slow but once it gets going it's on the way!!
Published 2 months ago by Soul's Ladybug
3.0 out of 5 stars
Death of a dvd...
I just received this dvd in the mail when I heard a sound I never like. The disc was loose inside the case, luckly I got to the disc before horrible damage was done. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Scott Jackson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mildly interesting, but could have done much more
Bear in mind that I didn't find out about this film until 5 years after it was released, and over 2 years after Bush left office, so I'm bringing a different perspective to it than... Read more
Published 21 months ago by John Morgan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Death of a President: death by papercut
This may have been the worst film I have ever seen but to be fair I have only been watching films for 50 years. Read more
Published on January 11, 2011 by J. Carpenter
2.0 out of 5 stars
far left film also pretty boring
this was not too exciting , u can tell the anti war pro Muslim message to it
Published on June 14, 2010 by Austin Mejia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Death of a President
This was a good afternoon's entertainment for $3 or so and I didn't have to run back to RedBox to return it. Read more
Published on April 11, 2010 by Beryl B. Franklin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Techincally Astounding, But the Writing Is Weak
I remember a few years ago when DEATH OF A PRESIDENT was touring the film festival circuit. People on the political left hailed it as a monumental and groundbreaking piece of... Read more
Published on April 6, 2009 by tvtv3
4.0 out of 5 stars
Initial impression was wrong.
My initial impression regarding this film was that it is some sort of political propaganda, but after finishing it I have discovered that I was wrong. Read more
Published on April 29, 2008 by Christopher Raissi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant and Utterly Fascinating
This is one of those movies so brilliant in its conception, so smart and skillful in its execution (pardon the pun), and so disturbing in its implications that any intelligent... Read more
Published on November 23, 2007 by Scott E. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
October 19th, 2007 - Where will you be?
Possibly no man is so universally regarded as the strongest contender in the Worst President Awards than George W. Bush. I know I certainly would nominate him. Read more
Published on October 3, 2007 by mr. snrub
