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New York Times: Re-Editing of Upcoming TV Movie About the Killing of Osama Bin Laden Will Likely ‘Bolster Claims’ That the Film is a Political Stunt for Obama

Oct 24, 2012  •  Post A Comment

"Thanks to the magic of editing, President Obama will have a starring role in a television drama about one of his biggest accomplishments — the killing of Osama bin Laden — that will be shown just two nights before the presidential election. But the star turn is virtually certain to bolster claims that the approximately 90-minute film amounts to a political stunt." 

This is from an article by Michael Cieply and Brian Stelter in The New York Times.

The story continues, "Set for a prime-time debut on Nov. 4 on the National Geographic Channel, and a release the next day on Netflix, the film — “SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden” — is being backed by Harvey Weinstein, a longtime Democratic contributor and one of the Obama campaign’s most vigorous backers."

The Times said it has seen the version that will be shown on the Nat Geo Channel and on Netflix, and said that "the film has been recut, using news and documentary footage to strengthen Mr. Obama’s role and provide a window into decision-making in the White House."

Both Weinstein and the movie’s director denied a political motivation in the re-editing, the story says.

The article also notes, that Howard T. Owens, the president of the National Geographic Channel "said his company had insisted on removing a scene that showed Mitt Romney appearing to oppose the raid. ‘We wouldn’t air this if it were propaganda,’ he said."

2 Comments

  1. If the Muslim world went nuts about a no-budget YouTube video, what do you think the reprocussions of a major Hollywood production will be that glorifies killing Bin Laden ? The administration bought ad time in Pakistan to distance themselves from the YouTube video. They probably need start thinking of calling in a new Pakistani ad-buy for “Seal Team Six”.

  2. The National Geographic Channel has lost all of my respect. No matter who you support in the election, this is blatantly political with the timing. Holding it until the next Sunday would not impact ratings, but playing it on the 4th is intended to impact the election.

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