Wednesday, August 27, 2014

August 27 - The Elizabeth Smart Story

Today’s movie is a crime drama with a scene that happens on August 27. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

THE ELIZABETH SMART STORY              

Fourteen year old Elizabeth Smart is part of a large and loving Morman family. Her father hired a handyman, self styled prophet Emmanuel to help him with a remodeling job. Months later, Emmanuel returns and takes Elizabeth at knifepoint. Her sister, who was in the bed with her was to terrified to immediately tell her parents. Once she does a massive police investigation begins. The Smarts are angered when the investigation questions whether any family members were involved in Elizabeth’s disappearance.  A massive search effort begins and the story causes a media frenzy. After a false news story that the police suspect a family member, the father takes and passes a lie detector test.  Richard Ricci, who worked for the Smarts until he was fired when jewelry went missing is arrested for a parole violation and the police think he’s involved in Elizabeth’s disappearance. Then Emmanuel tries to kidnap one of Elizabeth’s cousins. On August 27, 2003 [51:44 to 53:06] the Smarts learn Ricci has had an aneurysm and is now brain dead. After this the Mom gives up hope, the story fades into the background and the police stop looking for Elizabeth. The her sister Mary Catherine remembers that it was Emmanuel who took Elizabeth. The police won’t investigate this.  The father appears on John Walsh’s show and tells him in confidence about this new info. When Walsh reveals it on Larry King’s show, the Smarts publish a sketch of Emmanuel, who is later identified as Brian Mitchell. After having taken her to San Diego, Mitchell returns to Salt Lake with his wife and Elizabeth. When they are arrested, Elizabeth finally admits who she is. Elizabeth is reunited with her family.

A good film. I only have one criticism. In a burst of over the top political correctness, it is never mentioned that either the Smarts or Brian Mitchell are Mormon.  

The date is given in the film at 51:46

Producers – Peter Sadowski and Randy Sutter

Director - Bobby Roth           

Screenplay -  Nancey Silvers                   

Runtime 2 hours    

Released - November 9, 2003                                                    

Starring –

Dylan Baker as Ed Smart
Lindsay Frost as Lois Smart
Amber Marshall as Elizabeth Smart
Hannah Lochner as Mary Katherine Smart
Tyler Kyte as Charles Smart
Tom Everett as Brian Mitchell aka “Emmanuel”
Hollis McLaren as Wanda Barzee
Kenneth McGregor as Richard Ricci
Robert Wisdin as Jim Smart

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.





No comments:

Post a Comment