Product Details

• Actors: Sami Al-Arian
• Directors: Line Halvorsen
• Format: Color, Subtitled, NTSC, Widescreen, Special Edition
• Subtitles: English, Arabic, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Kudos Family
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002CEPT6C
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,204 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

A family facing charges of terrorism fights for truth and justice in America. A strong, thought-provoking, critically acclaimed and award-winning documentary on freedom of speech and political persecution. A NIGHTMARE COME TO LIFE "A passionate activist and pro-Palestinian, professor Sami Al-Arian was charged with terrorism and held in prison without trial for two and a half years. 'USA vs Al-Arian' is an intimate family portrait that documents the strain brought on by Al-Arian's trial, a battle waged both in court and in the media. A tight-knit family unravels before our very eyes as trial preparations, strategy and spin consume their lives. This is a nightmare come to life, as a man is prosecuted for his beliefs rather than his actions. Director Line Halvorsen presents democracy in a new light in a post-9/11 culture of fear, "security measures" trump free speech and punishment is meted out in the name of protection." HotDocs A DAMNING PORTRAIT "[...] eye-opening docu "USA vs Al-Arian" throws the spotlight on a justice system shanghaied by the Patriot Act, leaving a deeply sympathetic family frayed but not quite broken. [...] Norwegian helmer Line Halvorsen constructs a damning portrait of the case by focusing on the trial's emotional toll." Variety - also subtitled in French, German, Italian - This DVD is for private home use only. All other rights, including institutional/educational rights, are reserved. FOR INSTITUTIONAL/EDUCATIONAL USE, PURCHASE THE INSTITUTIONAL DVD EDITION.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plays fine in my DVD player, December 16, 2010

By 

Oddleiv Vik - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: USA vs Al-Arian, special edition (institutional edition, NTSC) (DVD)

I purchased this NTSC DVD and it had excellent picture and sound quality when played on my NTSC DVD player/TV set. Efficient shipping: I placed the order on Dec 13 and received the DVD on Dec 15.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plays well in DVD player, December 16, 2010

By 

Oddleiv Vik - See all my reviews

This review is from: USA vs Al-Arian, special edition (NTSC) (DVD)

I played this DVD on my NTSC DVD player and TV and the picture and sound quality was excellent. Efficient shipping: I ordered this on Dec 13 and received it on Dec 15.

5.0 out of 5 stars This documentary defines what "criminal justice system" really means...., November 8, 2011

By 

Desertwriter (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: USA vs Al-arian (Amazon Instant Video)

Previous reviewers who were unable to 'view' the film should not punish the film-maker for technical problems..seems like a built in method to downgrade this remarkable documentary...and likely that a 1-star rating was another way to denigrate an exceptional narrative.

I've watched this film when it was first released, then again, when LINKTV presented it a number of times over several months time, as a special release. Later I purchased the dvd & played it several times for others or myself. After watching it, each time I felt overwhelmed with a a sense of sadness, grief and outrage at the enormous miscarriage of justice in this case; also, the the failed leadership which allowed years of injustice to prevail, particularly, the years of Dr.Al Arian's (pre-trial) incarceration and ensuing needless suffering & mistreatment of one man and his family. The clumsy (politically motivated) mishandling and apparent bias with lack of evidence, context or balance led the jury to exonerate him on all the charges, nearly unanimously.

The trial's conclusion, however, is not the end but rather a 'beginning' (this is not "spoiler"reveal) because the jury's deliberation and Not Guilty Verdict, after six months' trial, was not the end of their nightmare but became instead the prosecutor's intention to shift legal tactics. The expenses of the legal representation cost them everything - (home, career of a "tenured" professor, retirement/savings for childrens' college), only the tip of the iceberg. He remained mostly an 'invisible' political prisoner, in the midst of issues which are "third rail" American politics: as Americans are now learning - the ultimate taboo - to be an activist who speaks out against the 40+ year brutal Israeli military occupation of his parents' homeland, Palestine- a true homeland where all his ancestors lived for more than 1000 years, despite Ottoman, British occupations until the pivotal year, 1948, (Nakbah-Catastrophe) which included the ethnic cleansing of nearly 800,000 people from their homeland.

In the end, despite years of great duress and struggle, the Al-Arian family managed remained resolute & deeply, lovingly connected - attributable to Dr.Sami's love for his family along with his wife (Nahla's) determination to hold it together with humanity & dignity for their remarkable children.

The film could only have been made by a non American observer as his name/story was amply suppressed in US msm. Applause and Hats off! to Norwegian director (Halvorsen) & crew for providing the world with intimate insight into a wretched story of injustice. (Also, I highly recommend his book "Conspiring Against Joseph" at amazon books.)