Death of a Princess

This docudrama proved somewhat controversial in its day. The story follows a journalist as he investigates the case of Saudi Arabian Princess Mishaal who was publicly executed along with her lover for adultery. This tragic true story was made into a film via numerous interviews, many from people from the Arab world. Most of those were too afraid to appear on camera, which led to the decision to make a docudrama as opposed to a straight documentary. Needless to say, the candid nature of the film and the way it openly criticised the Saudi regime, led to calls for it to be banned from their government. Fortunately, it was not and it generated some of the biggest viewing figures of its year. Interestingly, it has never been screened in the UK since. I wonder why?

It's a highly fascinating look at Saudi Arabia and its institutionalised misogyny. The worst of it is that this was over 40 years ago and so little has progressed since. On a more positive note, the actress who played the princess - the very beautiful Egyptian Suzanne Abou Taleb - was subsequently blacklisted by Egyptian authorities but the measure had the exact opposite effect, leading to her becoming one of the most popular actresses of that country.

Movie goes a long way to understanding the Mid-East frame of mind. It is still very relavant today.

If anyone knows where I can still get a copy of this movie please e-mail me.

Apparently the first time this excellent British-American docudrama was scheduled to be shown on PBS (way back in 1980) it met with an outcry of protestation from the Saudi Royal Family. It also met with an equally vociferous outcry from many Senators Congressmen and senior level diplomats within the Regan administration. Then acting Secretary of State Warren Christopher wrote a letter to then PBS president Lawrence Grossman, a letter which Christopher also simultaneously had released to the press, urging PBS to "reevaluate" its decision to broadcast the program, given the subject's "potential damage to our relations with an important ally." Very real pressure was also brought to bear by Mobil Oil, PBS's chief underwriter for many of its programs, when they very publicly urged the public broadcaster to not broadcast the program because it would reflect badly on Saudi life. The seed of fear was also planted that perhaps the Saudis would shut off the nation's oil supply leading to severe economic ramifications. To PBS's credit, they didn't back down. PBS has now revisited this 1980's program some 25 years later and it has just as much impact today as it did back then. Perhaps even more so, given the US's gentle treatment of Saudi Arabia post 9/11 and the US's use of the oldest sleight of hand trick in the book, the art of misdirection. Our "liberation" of Iraq and our colonial aspirations there have now resulted in a more fractious and radical Islamic state then the secular nation that existed before it...But of course, one we can control. (And yes Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator and I'm glad that he's gone, but that doesn't change the facts). This is a thoughtful and engrossing film and shows how things really haven't changed much for woman living in The Kingdom (Saudi Arabia). Like those hijacked planes that slammed into the WTC towers, the 'true' Islam faith was hijacked by an odd assortment of repressive and paranoiac men many years ago... and their actions are still resonating today.

When I first saw this docudrama in 1980, I was intrigued by the story. I was very much surprised that the Saudi government made an issue of this film. In essence, what goes in their country stays in their country.

I will agree that keeping internal matters is a private affair for a country. However, I will also agree that we can disagree in what goes on in that country.

Saudi Arabia is telling us to mind our own business when it comes to the moral affairs within that kingdom. But, Saudi Arabia should mind its own business in telling us -- the Western world -- how to conduct ourselves when it comes to freedom of expression.

If there is a story to be told, then we will tell it.

A wonderful and deeply affecting film which is sadly still just as relevant as when it was made. The story highlights just one of the many gaping, cavernous differences in attitudes to women between our supposedly civilised selves and other parts of the world. The extreme reaction of the Saudis to the programme at the time indicates just how much of a sore nerve was touched, and since we insist on continuing to interact economically with this regime (sound familiar?) it is high time we exercised some consumer power as this seems to work much better than (for instance) military might. With the freedom to broadcast which we allegedly enjoy it is unforgivable that this has not been repeated as many times as necessary until the situation changes in this part of the world.