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Arnold Friedman, Elaine Friedman, David Friedman, Seth Friedman, Jesse Friedman ... see more see more... , Howard Friedman , John McDermott , Frances Galasso , Anthony Sgueglia , Joseph Onorato , Judd Maltin , Judge Abbey Boklan , Ron Georgalis , Scott Banks , Debbie Nathan , Jerry Bernstein , Peter Panaro , Lloyd Doppman , Jack Fallin

Arnold and Elaine Friedman were a seemingly typical couple living in Great Neck, NY, in the 1980s. Arnold was an outgoing and well-liked schoolteacher with an interest in electronics who also ran a pr... read more read more...ivate computer school out of their home. Elaine, a reserved but caring woman, helped look after the couple's three sons, Jesse, Seth, and David. All appeared to be happy in their lives until November 1987, when police raided the Friedman home after Arnold and Jesse were accused of multiple counts of child molestation. A search revealed that Arnold owned a sizable collection of child pornography, and he confessed to some of the charges placed against him; Jesse, however, firmly insisted he was innocent. As the investigation against the Friedmans went on, public opinion regarding the case became more and more heated, but not all of the testimony against Arnold and Jesse matched up, and some began to wonder just how many of the charges filed against the family had merit. Remarkably enough, in the midst of these crises which threatened to destroy the family from within, the Friedmans continued to take part in one of their favorite pastimes -- shooting home videos of their day-to-day lives, offering a fly-on-the-wall look at a family struggling (and often failing) to hold themselves together in the wake of unthinkable accusations. Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki not only documented the legal and emotional struggles of the Friedman family with his own cameras, but was given access to the family's archive of home videos, and the result was Capturing the Friedmans, a documentary which keeps its primary focus on the Friedman family while also investigating the merits or faults in the charges levied against them. Capturing the Friedmans received an enthusiastic reception in its screening at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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147 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Andrew Jarecki

Release Date: June 13, 2003

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DVD Release Date: January 27, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (705)

  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    September 20, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Who do you believe?"

    Documentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middleclass Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes.

    ... read moretury Schoolbook">REVIEW
    Documentary film-making has taken a step up in recent years with an increasing number winning high acclaim. It's not surprising that a documentary as interesting and as personal as Capturing the Friedmans is one of the most highly rated, and director Andrew Jarecki's insight into a real-life family being torn apart fully deserves it's acclaim. Great documentaries are films that manage to tell a story while remaining objective, and even though this film handles the ever controversial theme of paedophilia; the director allows the relevant parties to tell the story as they remember it, and ultimately the viewer is left with only the facts surrounding the case, which can then be used to form an opinion. The real life case that the film handles is that of the trial of Arnold and Jessie Friedman. Arnold Friedman was arrested in 1987 on more than 400 charges against young boys aged 7 to 11, while Jessie Friedman was tried for several sexual acts against young boys that were studying in his father's computer class. The film follows their story told through relatives and people involved in the case.

    Perhaps the most astounding thing about this film is the fact that it was made. Most families wouldn't want documentary filmmakers (not to mention the world at large) getting in on their personal lives, but I suppose it did give them a chance to tell the story as they see it. The themes that the documentary handles are indeed harrowing, as aside from the obvious implications of being a paedophile; we've also got the destruction of a family unit, as well as statements of hatred from most of the family members. Andrew Jarecki keeps things moving by splicing real-life footage with testimonies from people involved with the case and the opinions of those close to the convicted. There are several facts that are presented, and some may believe that these are attempts to sway the audience; but the director only allows the actual facts to stand as the truth, while the personal opinions of those close to the central family are kept plainly as opinions. The film never makes a big thing of its central plot, and it's obvious that the director prefers to keep his eye on the family, which ensures that the resulting film is ultimately more frightening. Overall, this is a compelling watch and comes highly recommended.
  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    I love how this was structured as mystery of sorts, and how nobody was ever strictly villainized. I also love that David Friedman is a clown for a living. You can't make this stuff up, guys.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    Shocking documentary, filmed almost by mistake as Andrew Jarecki was doing a film about kids entertainers at the time. Don't watch alone as you will want someone to talk about it with straight after!
  • dreamfaeries
    August 9, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Umm... I don't really quite know what to say. Interesting? Odd?
  • 76Majikat
    May 20, 2009
    76Majikat
    It?s dvd cover describes this documentary as ?thought provoking?. Even the most open minded of people are probably thinking ?why?? this seems like an open and shut case.

    As the documentary unfolds, you realise just how complicated the case actually is, how the family appears ... read moreto show biased support to the family members accused of these unthinkable crimes, how they filmed themselves continuously through years as a family ? (in fact supplying most of the footage on this documentary), how the evidence is challenged and what in fact is or isn't true in connection with the case.

    Questions pop into mind throughout the documentary, many are answered within the film, others have been answered in the very lengthly special features and of course there may be questions that will never be answered.
  • bottcorecords1
    March 24, 2009
    bottcorecords1
    A seemingly normal Long Island family gets turned upside down when the father's child porn addiction is discovered by police. What follows is a child-molestation hysteria that leaves the family in shambles. "Capturing the Friedmans" invites the audience to decide who's telling th... read moree truth, and who's telling what they believe is the truth, even while the filmmakers themselves seem pretty well decided in what they believe. The father, Arnie Friedman, seems a little eccentric: he's a musician and science teacher, who also held a computer course for kids in his home. His oldest son, Jesse (who was 18 at the time), also helped teach the class. After the father is busted for his child pornography, the police take the list of students from his computer class and go round to each of their homes to investigate possible molestations. While some students tell police nothing ever happened, others decribe wild scenes of child orgies, where the father and son routinely and violently raped large groups of kids in front of the whole class. The stories couldn't be more conflicting. On top of all this, the father admits to molesting kids when he was a young teen, and to "touching" boys inappropriately as an adult living in another community. But he swears to his innocense when it comes to the kids of the computer class. The mother is devastated by her husband's actions and finds resentment from her other sons for not standing by her husband. But was she more jealous of the husband for his close relationship with their sons? It was always a boys club and she wasn't always allowed in on the joke. The bulk of the film is told through old video clips and 8mm footage of the family, often goofing around, and seemingly happy. A fascinating, yet tragic life story.
  • Beefy
    November 26, 2006
    Beefy
    Well made but difficult to watch.
  • fb704730572
    April 3, 2011
    fb704730572
    This excellent documentary examines a tragic and revealing case through a lens of ambiguity that raises many thought provoking questions. Ultimately, an indictment of the hysterical and illogical nature of the criminal justice system on all sides.
  • zeravenyoej
    September 24, 2008
    zeravenyoej
    Compelling, fascinating, and utterly disturbing. This is goin on my favorite films list.
  • TecmoSmokaBowl
    March 23, 2010
    TecmoSmokaBowl
    A shocking look into the lives of one family ripped apart by a tragic case of deception, lies, and hysteria. Yes, some of these men are probably guilty of some of these crimes, but it's amazing how something can escalate so quickly. This web of confusion is a sight to behold!

View All Capturing the Friedmans Reviews

Critic Reviews

Geoff Pevere
July 25, 2003
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Without a doubt a disconcertingly engrossing, difficult-to-shake experience. Full Review

Jennie Punter
July 25, 2003
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

Disturbing, yet undeniably fascinating. Full Review

Bill Muller
July 25, 2003
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

It takes the concept of reality television and twists it into a shocking but poignant art form.

Jay Boyar
July 22, 2003
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

Watching this remarkable production is like going on safari to that creepy world. It's a fascinating place to visit, but you wouldn't, not for a minute, want to live there.

Lisa Kennedy
July 22, 2003
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

The MPAA doesn't have a rating for queasy-making and heartbreaking. If it did, then Capturing the Friedmans would carry an advisory. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
July 19, 2003
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

A documentary you won't be able to shake.

Terry Lawson
July 11, 2003
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

An experience you will never forget.

Joe Baltake
June 27, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It is one of those rare films whose subject matter alone can wipe you out emotionally. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
June 26, 2003
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

A disquieting documentary about a disturbing incident. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
June 20, 2003
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What the Osbournes are to farce, the Friedmans are to tragicomedy. Full Review

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