Customer Reviews

USA vs Al-Arian, special edition (NTSC)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.)

I wish I could have seen this in order to provide a review of the content, but the DVD I received would not play - it makes a loud mechanical noise and that's it. Checked DVD player with other DVDs and there was no problem. The DVD I received is NTSC for all regions so it should work. Returned for a refund. I'm very disappointed.