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Special Features
- Commentary with director Jonathan Demme and Producer Neda Armian
- Bonus Scenes
- Soundtrack Recording Sessions
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
No other American president in recent history has had as significant a public profile after leaving office as Jimmy Carter, but public profile isn't all good--as Jimmy Carter, Man from Plains demonstrates. This documentary, directed by Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia), captures the blaze of controversy that followed publication of Carter's book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. As Carter launches his book tour, the rounds of interviews make clear that much of the hubbub was sparked simply by the use of the word "apartheid" in the title. But Man from Plains isn't just a series of media debates, it's also a portrait of Carter--a man lauded for his fundamental decency and criticized for his deep-rooted stubbornness--and a glancing but not simplified discussion of the Palestinian occupation itself. Most of the movie tracks the former president as he travels from city to city, but scenes at events in Plains and footage from Carter's tenure in office give the depiction of Carter some scope. Demme captures Carter's generosity, his earnest spirituality, and--undeniably--his ego, which (as with anyone who's risen to public office) is not small, despite Carter's sense of humility. This well-rounded documentary is essential viewing for anyone who yearns for the day when our elected officials had integrity. --Bret Fetzer
Stills from Jimmy Carter Man from Plains (click for larger image)
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Beyond Jimmy Carter Man from Plains
 Audio CD |  Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid |  Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope |
Product Description
Embarking on a national publicity tour to promote his new book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid," former US president Jimmy Carter ignites an international firestorm of controversy when he argues that only Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied territories can bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Intimate, informative and altogether engrossing, Jimmy Carter Man From Plains is a candid portrait of a Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian and statesman whose compassion and steadfast sense of justice remains undiminished by time. Directed by Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs Best Director, 1991; Philadelphia, 1993).
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Doginfollow
Format:DVD
Jimmy Carter is an impressive man. He has set the standard for a productive post-presidency, and the time is ripe for a reassessment of the difficult but often wise decisions he made in office.
Unfortunately, this Jonathan Demme film focuses almost entirely on Carter's 2006 tour promoting his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" and the uproar it spurred. Carter comes across as courageous, principled and (usually) very patient in the face of the same questions asked over and over again by modestly informed interviewers. The controversy offers plenty of insight into Carter's character and beliefs, but it's only one aspect of his career.
Demme fills a lot of space with scenes of Carter getting on and off planes, riding in cars, carrying his suitcase, getting makeup applied for interviews, etc. Comparatively little use is made of archival footage, except for a brief but engaging segment on the Camp David negotiations. I would have liked less of the former and more of the latter. As much as I thought I would enjoy this film, I found myself getting bored after the first hour as it kept going over the same ground, instead of giving us a full portrait of the "Man From Plains".
Unfortunately, this Jonathan Demme film focuses almost entirely on Carter's 2006 tour promoting his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" and the uproar it spurred. Carter comes across as courageous, principled and (usually) very patient in the face of the same questions asked over and over again by modestly informed interviewers. The controversy offers plenty of insight into Carter's character and beliefs, but it's only one aspect of his career.
Demme fills a lot of space with scenes of Carter getting on and off planes, riding in cars, carrying his suitcase, getting makeup applied for interviews, etc. Comparatively little use is made of archival footage, except for a brief but engaging segment on the Camp David negotiations. I would have liked less of the former and more of the latter. As much as I thought I would enjoy this film, I found myself getting bored after the first hour as it kept going over the same ground, instead of giving us a full portrait of the "Man From Plains".
15 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Anyone who had access to television news in 2006 will remember the storm of controversy following the publication of former President Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid." This film recalls those days in great detail and reminds us that many of the book's critics had not even bothered to read it before denouncing it.
I predict that many of the same critics of that book and Carter's even-handed position on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will return to denounce Jonathan Demme's film without ever bothering to see it. They will continue to assert that Israel is completely innocent of creating anything that could be considered an apartheid situation. Their hope is that people will ignore Carter's simple request that everyone take the time to look at the facts on the ground before automatically taking the Israeli side in this long-standing dispute. Anyone who does so can at least then agree that the walls constructed by Israel encroach in many places onto long-held Palestinian lands.
Carter points out in several instances in the film that Israel certainly has the right to defend itself and its borders against terrorist attacks; his objection is to the locations where the walls have been built and the manner in which they have been used to house the Palestinians as virtual prisoners. It is much easier for the critics to simply assume that Carter is anti-Israeli. I submit that any honest viewer of the film cannot maintain such an opinion of him.
Even those who might disagree with Carter's positions would have to be amazed at the sheer level of energy shown in the film on the part of this eighty-three year old man who seems willing to speak anytime, anywhere in defense of his views. In viewing the film, I was encouraged to see the respectful response that he received when speaking before what might have been expected to be a hostile audience at Brandeis. On the other hand, my hopes were tempered by the young street protestor in the film who took great delight in shouting to Palestinians and their supporters that, "Nobody cares about you."
I predict that many of the same critics of that book and Carter's even-handed position on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will return to denounce Jonathan Demme's film without ever bothering to see it. They will continue to assert that Israel is completely innocent of creating anything that could be considered an apartheid situation. Their hope is that people will ignore Carter's simple request that everyone take the time to look at the facts on the ground before automatically taking the Israeli side in this long-standing dispute. Anyone who does so can at least then agree that the walls constructed by Israel encroach in many places onto long-held Palestinian lands.
Carter points out in several instances in the film that Israel certainly has the right to defend itself and its borders against terrorist attacks; his objection is to the locations where the walls have been built and the manner in which they have been used to house the Palestinians as virtual prisoners. It is much easier for the critics to simply assume that Carter is anti-Israeli. I submit that any honest viewer of the film cannot maintain such an opinion of him.
Even those who might disagree with Carter's positions would have to be amazed at the sheer level of energy shown in the film on the part of this eighty-three year old man who seems willing to speak anytime, anywhere in defense of his views. In viewing the film, I was encouraged to see the respectful response that he received when speaking before what might have been expected to be a hostile audience at Brandeis. On the other hand, my hopes were tempered by the young street protestor in the film who took great delight in shouting to Palestinians and their supporters that, "Nobody cares about you."
14 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By P. Video
Format:DVD
Having read a lot on Jimmy Carter, including books by people who helped create Delta Force and their interactions with President Carter and why they have always voted republican their entire life except for Jimmy Carter due to his selfless action of taking 100% credit for the failed Iranian mission. A time when everyone in the operation was ashamed and saddened for having let Carter down when he gave them full operational and strategic control. Carter refused to let any of his generals or special ops take the fall and insisted on 100% blame and was a major factor that cost him his presidency.
He was and still is a great man, following him through his tour of the US was interesting, I am still amazed that such a great and moral person who actually cares for people and isn't blinded by race or religion ever got elected.
I actually felt a bit saddened watching a man freak out on Carter, love him or hate him you can't help but respect him and all that he has accomplished, and for the record, I have been a life long republican myself, minus my first vote for Mr. Carter when he was defeated by Regan.
He was and still is a great man, following him through his tour of the US was interesting, I am still amazed that such a great and moral person who actually cares for people and isn't blinded by race or religion ever got elected.
I actually felt a bit saddened watching a man freak out on Carter, love him or hate him you can't help but respect him and all that he has accomplished, and for the record, I have been a life long republican myself, minus my first vote for Mr. Carter when he was defeated by Regan.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
A man striving to make the world a better place.
If all of our former presidents were like Jimmy Carter, the world would be a better place. This video takes place after the release of his book about Palestine and apartheid. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kevin M Quigg
5.0 out of 5 stars
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will...
As an American, the last man I was not embarrassed to say was my president was Jimmy Carter. However you rate his presidency, did you ever question his integrity? Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. L LaRegina
3.0 out of 5 stars
so-so documentary on an important theme
"Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains" is not a biography of the 39th President of the United States; nor is it a chronicle of his time as President, or even of his work with Habitat for... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Roland E. Zwick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Many sides of Jimmy Carter
Jonathan Demme is a master filmmaker so this is a complex portrait of of President Jimmy Carter on a book tour, in one sense a small snapshot of the man. Read more
Published 12 months ago by billy golfus
1.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy on bias, low on facts and justice.
Unfortunately, the video is inaccurate, and also boring. Based on what was "unsaid" in this film, it seems like Carter was not only a poor President, but also did much harm during... Read more
Published 19 months ago by E. Wurtele
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great former president
I strongly recommended this documentary film to people who can learn how to deal with complicated politic sitution. Read more
Published 21 months ago by JIM
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm sorry, but I liked it
Didn't want to like it. Didn't expect to like it, but I've never been able to pass up a Presidential bio so I gave it a shot. Read more
Published on April 21, 2010 by Tejana
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly well done documentary
I have Netflix and was able to watch this.
It is an excellent documentary and shows the man behind the scenes as he promotes his book Palestine: Peace Not... Read more
It is an excellent documentary and shows the man behind the scenes as he promotes his book Palestine: Peace Not... Read more
Published on September 14, 2009 by SBJ400
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome film
well edited, time flies watching this great portrail of n honest dedicated humble and great man.
Published on September 6, 2009 by H. Zander
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Repugnant Film
A one-sided hagiography of a failed president who slanders an American Ally (Israel) for trying to protect itself from Palestinian terror bombers. Read more
Published on June 16, 2009 by Cary B. Barad
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