Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die

Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die (2011) Director: Charlie Russell First Seen: 10/18/2024

An intriguing, illuminating, important documentary that introduces the very relevant and important topic of legalizing euthanasia and the right to die. "Hosted" by lauded science fiction author Terry Pratchett, we meet several individuals who are faced with the decision of how they wish to end their lives. It isn't so much "hosted", as us accompanying him on his quest for answers. Answers to age old, philosophical ones, as well as some very practical ones when it comes to death, dying, and our choices in the matter. At least as close to answers as this infinitely labyrinthine universe will provide.

The documentary is conscientious to see all sides of the issue, as Pratchett is actually doing this not for entertainment or even necessarily pedagogical reasons, but for his personal research, as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and beginning to see more serious effects of the disease. One especially tricky part of this illness is that by the time one is ready to go, they may not be able to coherently execute the steps necessary for assisted suicide, which requires the patient to be of sound mind and the one who takes the lethal dose of barbiturates. We are introduced to two different men with terminal neurological illnesses, one who has chosen to remain in hospice care for his last days, and another who is prepared to take the immediate death route rather than endure and force his loved ones to suffer through until the bitter end. We also met a man with multiple sclerosis who had unsuccessfully tried committing suicide multiple times, but has decided to spend the money he has left to ensure success next time.

We watch the two men become one of the thousands of foreign travelers- in more than one sense of the word- who have paid the £10,000 last resort fee to be aided in a peaceful, respectful death in Switzerland. Dignitas, a non profit organization located in Zurich, will provide the preparation and suicide assistance for individuals seeking a way out. This can include family duties, including funerals and medical costs.

Influential. Intense. Intimate. Intriguing. Inspiring. Having agreed to let Terry Pratchett accompany them on their trip to the "death house" in Zurich, the audience is right there in the room during a man's last moments. Such a fragile moment, audiences may even feel embarrassed, as if we are intruding. We watch Peter Smedly take the necessary steps to end his life in a dignified way, his wife by his side.

Ultimately, words cannot express the evocative effect of watching something as rare and taboo as a human being's death. And to know that this was his choice, that he can exercise his free will- a right said to be automatic and inalienable; that he is able to end his pain and suffering with such dignity and grace only makes it that much more affecting.

Borrowing from characters in the prolific science fiction writer's "Discworld" book series (Terry Pratchett's "Going Postal"), the operators of the clacks tower use "GNU" as a code to mean the message should be passed onto every tower. The G means to send it on, the N means not logged, the U at the end means to turn the message around at the end of the line.

Thus, GNU Terry Pratchett!

Pro Choice.

Pro Euthanasia.

Pro Right To Die.

Including Mental Health Sufferers, which is often times even worse than a degenerative terminal disease.

"To know that you can go gives you strength." Ludwig Minelli, Founder of Dignitas, on why approximately 70% of the individuals that have contacted his organization regarding assisted suicide are never heard from again, despite going through a complex application and screening process and even having received the green light.

"As a mother, I will swing next week... Should I have torn up the passports, you know, anything in desperation to keep him, but it's selfish, selfish and not a loving thing to do. I don't think like Andrew thinks on this one. You know I always think tomorrow is another day. It is so stressful... I'm going to have to go home tomorrow without my son and I shall in due course get some ashes delivered, apparently. We will have to get through it, because we can't bear to think of him lying in a bed in some of the conditions we know he could possibly end up in. Took me a long, long while to realize that the quality of life he has now is not acceptable. It does not matter what anybody else thinks. It is their decision and I think it is their right." Yvonne Colgan, mother to Andrew Colgan (1968-2010) (Died December 8th with assistance from Dignitas in Zurich, Switzerland)