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:

american abroad | binational couple | tyrant husband | female protagonist | domestic violence | 

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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 Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Mahtob appeared as an extra in a school scene.

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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: Have you become Muslim?
Ellen: Mm-hmm.
Betty Mahmoody: Did you convert?
Ellen: Well, I wanted to, I guess. My husband was happy I did. It made things a lot better.
[Ellen sees her husband waiting for her]
Ellen: Uh, I... I got to go.
Betty Mahmoody: Ellen, it's been so...
Ellen: No, really.
[Ellen runs to her husband]

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Connections

Referenced in Borderlands (2009)

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Soundtracks

Joy to the World
(uncredited)
Written by Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason
Performed by Percy Faith

User Reviews

other boards where they stick up for the worm husband

I have seen other comments that tell "his" side of the story. He was a cruel man and basically held her hostage by not letting her leave without her daughter. He was a worm and a bully. Hurray for Betty and the bravery of her escape. I would have loved to see his face when he found out she made it back. He under estimated her--that stupid fool. He forgot that American women don't like to be bossed around. I hope he never got to see or talk to his daughter again. He doesn't deserve it. And don't believe any propaganda they try and sell you about how her poor husband got the dirty end of the stick. He pulled an underhanded sneak attack on her and didn't have the "you know what" to tell her his plans. Good for you Betty--and as for that creep and all creeps like him in Iran--good riddance. And don't buy it for a minute that Betty was lying. She wasn't. I have heard the same from other women in the same boat. She spoke the truth about everything and it is much worse than she even described.