Not Without My Daughter (1991)

An American woman, trapped in Islamic Iran by her brutish husband, must find a way to escape with her daughter as well.

Director:

Brian Gilbert

Writers:

Betty Mahmoody (book), William Hoffer (book)

Stars:

Sally Field, Alfred Molina, Sheila Rosenthal

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Field	...	Betty Mahmoody
Alfred Molina	...	Moody
Sheila Rosenthal	...	Mahtob
Roshan Seth	...	Houssein
Sarah Badel	...	Nicole
Mony Rey	...	Ameh Bozorg
Georges Corraface	...	Mohsen
Mary Nell Santacroce	...	Grandma
Ed Grady	...	Grandpa
Marc Gowan	...	Doctor
Bruce Evers	...	Doctor
Jonathan Cherchi	...	Mammal
Soudabeh Farrokhnia	...	Nasserine
Michael Morim	...	Zia
Gili Ben-Ozilio	...	Fereshte

Storyline

"Moody" is an Iranian doctor living in America with his American wife Betty and their child Mahtob. Wanting to see his homeland again, he convinces his wife to take a short holiday there with him and Mahtob. Betty is reluctant, as Iran is not a pleasant place, especially if you are American and female. Upon arrival in Iran, it appears that her worst fears are realized: Moody declares that they will be living there from now on. Betty is determined to escape from Iran, but taking her daughter with her presents a larger problem.

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Plot Keywords:

binational couple | tyrant husband | female protagonist | domestic violence | mother daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

In 1984, Betty Mahmoody's husband took his wife and daughter to meet his family in Iran. He swore they would be safe. They would be happy. They would be free to leave. He lied.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Persian Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Release Date:

11 January 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jamais sans ma fille

Filming Locations:

Ankara, Turkey

Box Office

Gross USA:

$14,789,113

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Entertainment, Ufland

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alfred Molins hated the fact that he had to hit Sally Field

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Goofs

Several Ford Cortina Mk II sedans are used in the film as taxicabs in lieu of the Pars Khodro Paykan (based on the UK 1966 Hillman Hunter/Rootes Arrow, which was the final automobile designed by the Rootes Group prior to its acquisition by the Chrysler Corporation).

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Quotes

Betty Mahmoody: Baba Hajji, you're a religious man. How can Moody swear on the Koran and do this to me?
[Mammal translates, Babba Hajji gives an assertive answer and the entire family starts yelling at Betty in Farsi]
Mammal: Allah will forgive him!
[yelling continues, Betty starts crying]
Betty Mahmoody: No, no! Ameh Bozorg! Ameh Bozorg, please help me, please!
[Ameh Bozorg yells at Betty]
Betty Mahmoody: No, you can't do this! God damn you! God damn you! You can't keep me here! You had this planned all along! Damn you!

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Connections

Spoofed in South Park: Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus (1998)

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Soundtracks

VISSI D'ARTE
from "TOSCA"
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Zinka Milanov and The Rome Orchestra and Chorus
Conducted by Erich Leinsdorf
Courtesy of RCA Victor Red Seal
A division of BMC Classics

User Reviews

This Movie

I have seen this movie a few times and in my opinion, I enjoyed it and didn't find it racist at all. This is what happened to Betty and her story.

Is she saying that this is how ALL Iranians are? No, just what happened to her. The movie didn't give Iranians all a bad name because who were the people who helped her to escape from Iran? They were Iranians. It was not like every single person she met in Iran was rude to her. She is just talking about her husband's family and the way they treated her.

Also remember this happened in 1984, twenty years ago. For people to compare Iran now to the Iran in the movie, it's totally different. The country has changed in the pass 20 years.

I fully enjoyed this movie and admire the real Betty's courage. As a mother myself, I totally understand her not wanting to leave without her daughter. I would fight to the ends of the world for my child and that is what Betty did for her child as well.