Very compelling and heartfelt, the story of Elizabeth Smart’s abduction as told by her comes to DVD. Originally shown on Lifetime in 2017 the acting by the fine cast and direction by Sarah Walker tell all. It’s a mind bender and crying out to the vulnerable that actions taken on your part may save your life. Having seen a lot of the news feeds that followed the kidnapping, this film sums it all up.
The film starts with an introduction by Elizabeth Smart now 30 years old married and has children. She shows a quick recall through footage of the scene, photos of her at 14, video taken at the time by news media, shots of the actual kidnappers and with her parents. A newsperson at the time said “less than 2% of long term missing child cases are resolved by finding the child alive.”
Elizabeth then says “I know you’ve heard all of this before, and maybe you’ve asked the questions: why didn’t you run? Why didn’t you scream? Why did you not try to escape? Everything I did, I did to survive. You may think you know my story, but the truth is you don’t. Not from me.”
It’s a critical statement and an important one, because when you hear it from the person who lived the harrowing experience, it becomes real. On June 5, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah Elizabeth (portrayed by actress Alana Boden) gets awakened in her bed at her home. She has been asleep next to her younger sister as she does every night and a man has put a knife to her neck and whispers for her not to make a sound or that he will kill her sister and the rest of the family. Startled she gets taken from the home and brought to a makeshift camp in the woods by Brian David Mitchell (portrayed by Skeet Ulrich) where with his first wife Wanda Barzee (portrayed by Deirdre Lovejoy) she becomes a captive. It’s a heartbreaking story of insidious deprivation, imprisonment, forced marriage and rape.
Directed by Sarah Walker she works with her actors to show the bizarre experience by the young girl who could have been killed by the two crazed abductors. Taking you into the forest Walker sets up emotional situations showing Barzee’s jealousy of Smart, her devotion to Mitchell and an obedient subordinate. Mitchell on the other hand takes a lot of chances, puts a lot of pressure on Barzee and indulges his carnal needs.
Lovejoy makes a very good Barzee showing her as psychological oppressed by Mitchell and envious of Smart’s youth. She wants attention and her facial expressions show the many sides of her sordid personality. Knowing deep down in that the marriage to Smart has been a mistake that will cost her Mitchell’s love, she lets her guard down.
As the irrational and threatening Mitchell, Skeet Ulrich gives a striking performance of the man possessed by his “god” and the young woman he has taken. He binds Smart at the ankle and with a long cable wire she tethered to a tree. His evil mind is focused on keeping his prize and yet knows he must provide for them as well, a chance he has to take.
Depicting Smart, it’s Alana Boden’s chance to shine. Looking very much like Elizabeth Smart at her current age, the story becomes uncanny as if Smart stepped back in time to show what actually happened. Most likely coached by the person who lived the ordeal, it gives the film a lot of credibility.
In Elizabeth Smart’s own words is the following reasons for making the film: “I wanted to tell you, as someone who has been through hell, that there still is hope. Find a miracle, hold on to it, and keep going, I’m not cracked. I’m not shattered.”
“I Am Elizabeth Smart” has been rated TV-14 and contains underage drinking, sexual material/rape, drug use, and child abuse.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A brave and very poignant film to her testament. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Narrator: Elizabeth Smart
Cast: Alana Boden, Skeet Ulrich, Deirdre Lovejoy, George Newbern, Anne Openshaw
Director: Sarah Walker
Producer: Elizabeth Smart
Based on the book: My Story by Elizabeth Smart
TV Rating: TV-14, contains, underage drinking sexual material, drug use, child abuse
Genre: Biography, Crime, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 16 min.
Video Release Date: July 10, 2018
Original Cable TV Release Date: November 18, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: 10×9 Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released in: DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
