Documentary explores Terri Schiavo’s untold story

Written by Eric Tiansay

Monday, 13 April 2009 02:37 PM America/New_York

Though the right-to-life battle centered on bedridden Terri Schindler Schiavo dominated the international news headlines for weeks in 2005, most people still do not know the real, full story--or its far-reaching social implications.

That is the opinion of award-winning veteran producer and director Ken Carpenter who revisited the case for a two-part TV documentary aired last year and released in revised format in May as The Terri Schiavo Story.

"There were so many more considerations--both legally and biblically--that were never explored on the news," he said of the project, released by his Franklin Springs Family Media. "As a parent, I am convicted that my children need to know the real truth about this landmark case in our country's history so that as we face future cultural battles, we will have a better understanding."

The documentary was originally made as a two-part report for disabled ministry leader Joni Eareckson Tada's Joni and Friends TV program, from whom Carpenter's production company licensed the material for the new documentary.

Running 51 minutes, the documentary includes some additional material not originally broadcast. Carpenter said that while a companion discussion guide had been proposed at one stage, the questions raised by the program were "so self-evident we didn't feel that it was necessary."

Read more in the May 5 issue of Christian Retailing.