Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

Director: Morgan Spurlock
Actors: Morgan Spurlock, Alexandra Jamieson
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Category: DVD

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 13 reviews
Sales Rank: 12295

Format: Color, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 93 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: WEID81438D
UPC: 796019814386
EAN: 0796019814386
ASIN: B0018PH3NI

Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: August 26, 2008
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

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Customer Reviews

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4 out of 5 stars He found what he was looking for    December 29, 2008
Daniel W. Stoker (Basin City WA)
In "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden" Spurlock travels the Islamic World in search of not so much the notorious mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. but the environments that have allowed Islamic extremism to proliferate and become one of the greatest threats to the free world. In the process he repudiates many of the false Western stereotypes of the Islamic world. The documentary is entertaining and flows easily from one scene to the next, it gives a solid foundation on which to build but does not attempt to be overly academic or probing.


4 out of 5 stars An Interesting Take on the Islamic World    December 21, 2008
Publius
My initial reaction to the film was wishing that there was more of it. I'm constantly fascinated with how well interviews with people in the street yield a better, more complete view of current events and attitudes than many a history or political analysis. Still, I wish there had been more in the way of discussion with each of the interviewees. Of course, then the movie would have been four hours long.

The problem of length is what I think keeps this film from greatness. It is impossible to make a completely cogent movie about the interplay between the West and the Islamic world in 90 minutes, so in a way it's understandable that so many critics of Spurlock's have bashed him as shallow or inappropriately glib. However, I'm also convinced that Spurlock's critics are also far too harsh in their assessments of what is really a personal look at Muslims rather than a documentary on the political realities of Islam. This isn't a political treatise, and it is strange to treat it as such.

Perhaps Spurlock is a bit sappy, and the film is very sentimental, yet I think you must be a terrible cynic to find much fault in that. I find it odd and frankly annoying that so many people regard messages of peace, understanding, and brotherhood as vapid or shallow, while at the same time glorifying every dull, lifeless, politico/militaristic view of world events as edifying and factual. It's the same reason why comedies are rarely if ever nominated for best film at the Oscars. Cheap cynicism is everywhere. But, are people really at a point where finding something positive to say about the world and other cultures is so abhorrent?

The movie's main purpose was to show that the Muslim world is not as bad as the media makes it out to be and encourages people in the US to reach out and at least talk to Muslims. I think that is an entirely appropriate and admirable goal. I also think that Spurlock largely succeeds with this film. Let the Bah Humbug crowd wallow in their misery. Spurlock's is a worthwhile message.


4 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Deep and Funny    December 18, 2008
A. West
Better then I had expected, it combined Comedy Relief with an Important message for all Americans.




5 out of 5 stars Crucial message presented with humor    November 9, 2008
E. Karasik (Washington, DC United States)
Even though I thought the hook of searching for Osama Bon Laden bordered on the silly and gimmicky, I ended up being extremely fascinated and moved by this film. Like the book "Three cups of Tea" (also highly recommended), it chips away at the monolithic Western stereotype of the Muslim world with small slices of reality that are rarely seen in the mainstream media. These intriguing interviews with citizens throughout the Middle East and footage of the poverty and hardship most of them endure are compelling evidence that bringing schools, clean water, and human rights to this part of the world will do infinitely more to prevent terrorism than all of our billions spent on "the war on terror." This IS the proverbial picture worth a thousand words, and I hope President-elect Obama and all of his security advisors will see it and take it to heart.


5 out of 5 stars A Great Film that everyone needs to see!!!    November 5, 2008
Paul Keeper (Berry Creek, CA. United States)
This is a great film in that it shows the human side of waring factions. I didn't see his first film and wasn't expecting much in this one but I was taken by surprise at it's simple humanity. A very wise man told a group of his students after 911 that it was important for them to communicate with the people from other nations so as to build a better understanding and this movie does just that. It's hard to believe that some viwers couldn't see that simple fact presented here. After seeing it, I thought everyone needs to see it in order to create a better bridge of understanding between people of different nations who in the final sense just want the same things,i.e., love and acceptance, and a peaceful place to raise their kids. That shouldn't be that difficult except for the few who just can't connect to their heart causing strife for everyone else. The only question is, 'how do we help them make that connection, because it connot be forced on anyone?' Perhaps leading an inspiring life is the only real solution. This movie has further inspired me to do so.