Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

( 6 )

Overview

Shortly after his best friend, Dr. Andrew Bagby, was slain by jealous ex-girlfriend Dr. Shirley Turner, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne was shocked to learn that Turner was pregnant with Bagby's unborn child. Hoping to create a film that would serve as both a memorial to Bagby and an introduction to the father the boy would never know, Kuenne quickly began production on a film celebrating the life of his late friend. Traveling across the entire continental United States, Kuenne made it his personal mission to interview ...
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Overview

Shortly after his best friend, Dr. Andrew Bagby, was slain by jealous ex-girlfriend Dr. Shirley Turner, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne was shocked to learn that Turner was pregnant with Bagby's unborn child. Hoping to create a film that would serve as both a memorial to Bagby and an introduction to the father the boy would never know, Kuenne quickly began production on a film celebrating the life of his late friend. Traveling across the entire continental United States, Kuenne made it his personal mission to interview everyone who had ever known his best friend so their memories would be captured on camera before they faded. Meanwhile, upon learning that Turner had fled to Newfoundland, Bagby's devastated parents uprooted their entire lives and relocated to the easternmost providence of Canada in order to fight for the future of their newborn grandson, Zachary. During the production, however, the Canadian government freed Turner on bail as she awaited extradition to the United States. Unfortunately, during that crucial time, the situation took a turn for the worse -- a turn that could have been prevented had the Canadian justice system heeded all the warning signs.
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Special Features

Road to reform: petitions and links for activists working on judicial reform; Expanded scenes and additional highlights; Additional footage of Andrew and Zachary including the famous "Best Man Speech"
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Jason Buchanan
Few films, documentary or fiction, possess the power to pick the viewer apart piece by piece emotionally, and then put them back together again. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father accomplishes that rare feat with incredible skill and candor -- not once, but twice, during its fleeting 95-minute run-time. At its core, Dear Zachary is a powerful meditation on love, strength, and remarkable courage. But make no mistake; in order to reach that life-affirming message of hope, you the viewer must first descend through a level of despair so black and vile that you can actually feel your chest tighten and your breath quicken as your heart shatters in slow motion. At times, it seems as if whatever light exists at the end of this suffocating tunnel will most certainly be swallowed up by the darkness before we can reach it, yet thanks to the amazing dedication of one remarkable filmmaker, two enormously brave parents, and an entire army of loving, dedicated friends, this story ends not with the tragedy that threatens to define it, but with the reassurance that two people who suffered unimaginable loss have made it their life's mission to ensure that no one else be subjected to the same hell that they endured and barely survived. By all accounts, Andrew Bagby was a rare breed: he was an only child who always got on well with his parents, inspired and supported his friends, had an endearing sense of humor, and strived to improve the lives of others by becoming a doctor. It's a profound feeling to experience a man's life by simply watching a film, and that's exactly what director Kurt Kuenne accomplishes as Andrew's remarkable tale unfolds on the screen before us. Most people are lucky if they have only a handful of people out there who care about them; to witness the number of people whose lives Andrew Bagby touched, and to hear their stories is nothing short of inspiring. Upon seeing Andrew for the first time, it's easy to see why so many people held him in such high regard, so why on Earth would anyone want to harm such a loyal and benevolent man? That's where the story begins to swerve toward tragedy. Andrew was away at medical school in Newfoundland when he first met Shirley Turner. He was far from home and still reeling from a particularly painful breakup at the time, so despite the fact that Turner was a notably older divorcée who already had three children of her own, the attention she lavished on him was simply irresistible to such a vulnerable soul. And while Andrew's friends seemed to sense that there was something wrong with Shirley from the very beginning, Andrew was just the kind of trusting kid who would never suspect that anyone's motives could be anything less than genuine. By the time he finished medical school and returned to the United States to begin practicing medicine, Andrew's fate -- and that of his future child -- had already been sealed. When Kuenne learned of the horrible fate that had befallen his friend, and subsequently discovered that Shirley was pregnant with Andrew's one and only child, he decided to travel across the country with camera in hand, gathering memories from those who knew Andrew so that his son, Zachary, would be able to one day see what an incredible man his father really was. To give away any more of the story would be something of a betrayal to the filmmaker, because who better to tell Andrew's tale than the friend who knew him since they were seven-year-old kids horsing around in the backyard and making movies together? And what a story it is. If someone were to tell you the tale of Andrew Bagby's death and the events that followed, it would seem too awful to be true. And yet it is, and the manner in which it's presented is nothing short of astonishing. It's like being trapped in a nightmare in which paralysis leaves you powerless to prevent the situation unfolding before your very eyes from dissolving into disaster, but these events are far worse than any nightmare because they've already transpired in real life. Kuenne's skills as a filmmaker -- in particular as an editor -- ensure that you experience this unforgettable journey precisely as he did. A skillful layering of voices early on underscores just how highly regarded Bagby was by his legions of friends, and a furious montage when the situation reaches its vile nadir drives home the pain and shock of such a horrifying moment with the soul-crushing power of a jackhammer to the heart. Kuenne wants you to fully experience the horror of Turner's reprehensible transgression and the agony of the people it directly impacted. And you will -- if not for the powerhouse editing, then for the simple fact that you have come to know and care for these people over the course of the film. Dear Zachary is absolutely riveting from the opening montage to the heartbreaking but hopeful final frames. It's an incredible narrative told by an immensely talented storyteller, and the result is one of the most moving, soul-stirring documentaries ever produced. Some people, quite understandably, may not wish to subject themselves to a film with the penetrating emotional power of Dear Zachary -- especially parents who have had to bear the burden of burying their own children. For viewers able to remain focused through their own tears, however, Dear Zachary is the kind of film that, once seen, will forever remain in your heart and mind.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/24/2009
  • UPC: 896602002074
  • Original Release: 2008

    • Rating:

  • Source: Oscilloscope
  • Region Code: 0
  • Time: 1:35:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 27,882

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
David Bagby Participant
Kathleen Bagby Participant
Heather Arnold Participant
Kurt Kuenne Participant
Andrew Bagby
Zachary Andrew Turner
Shirley Turner
Technical Credits
Kurt Kuenne Director, Score Composer, Cinematographer, Editor, Producer, Screenwriter, Sound/Sound Designer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
1. Bad News [4:19]
2. Growing Up [3:10]
3. How Would I Describe Andrew... [2:34]
4. It's Really Him [2:29]
5. 28 & 40 [4:39]
6. November 5, 2001 [3:01]
7. Summary of Evidence, Part 1 [3:22]
8. You Still Have Children [2:48]
9. 4 Months Pregnant [2:51]
10. Kate & David [3:48]
11. England [4:03]
12. Meeting Zachary [3:07]
13. St. Louis, MO [3:18]
14. Custody [4:27]
15. Latrobe, PA [4:00]
16. Out on Bail [7:15]
17. 7189.5 Miles [4:59]
18. He Is Too Happy, Kathleen [2:23]
19. August 18, 2003 [2:38]
20. Summary of Evidence, Part 2 [4:34]
21. Zachary's Only Chance [3:23]
22. Failure of the System [5:57]
23. October 4, 2006 [2:19]
24. One More Time [2:06]
25. Dear Kate & David [3:36]
26. End Credits [2:15]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
   Play
   Chapters
   Subtitles
      English Subtitles: On/Off
   Extra Features
      Additional Scenes
         Packing the House
         Kate's Premonition
         Fixing the System: Kate & David's Activism
         Returning Home
         On Forgiveness & Vengeance
      Footage of Andrew & Zachary
         Andrew Tells the Fire Story
         Andrew's Best Man Speech
         16mm Film of Zachary
      Support & Resources
         Support Bail Reform
         Turner Investigation & Review
         Dance With the Devil
         Dear Zachary Official Website
         Parents of Murdered Children
   Oscilloscope Releases
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 6 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(5)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

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2 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 6 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Capturing the Friedmans

    From and To the Heart

    Director Kurt Kuenne's bestfriend and leading man in all his films in his childhood Andrew Bagby is murdered in cold blood by a jealous and unstable ex-lover. Kurt Kuenne's world is shattered. He decides to make a film about his bestfriend from the people who knew him best and while making the film he discovers that the murder suspect who was currently in jail waiting to be extradited to the U.S. is pregnant with Andrew Bagby's child. Suddenly his film became a Letter to Andrew's unborn child about how great a man his father was. From Saratoga California he journeys across America to Eastern Canada interviewing every person who knew Andrew along the way. He meets up in Canada where Andrew Bagby's parents David and Kathleen have made a new home to see through the conviction of Andrew's ex lover Dr. Kathleen Turner. Through the warped and ridiculous governing of the local Canadian government they see the woman who murdered their son walk free with Andrew's unborn baby.

    This documentary shows the determination, the love, and courage of David and Kathleen Bagby as they attempt to create a relationship with a woman who murdered their only son in hopes to meet their Grand Son Zachary. Very raw and emotional Dear Zachary shakes the faith and belief in not only their religion but also in a so called Justice system.

    Unorthodox documentary editing, touching testimonials from friends and family plus emotional narration by Kuenne makes Dear Zachary a film that every person should see. The outcome will shock you and haunt you for sometime.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    My Flesh and Blood
    Brother's Keeper
    The Visitor

    Incredible

    Prepare to be enraged and sobbing by the end. The kind of film that sticks with you a month after seeing it. It is very well done but a heart wrenching story to be sure.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Emotionally Charged Documentary

    Dear Zachary is an incredible movie. I purchased one for myself. It was so moving that I purchased two more for different friends. I will never forget the journey of Kurt Kuenne and his extended family, the Babgy's.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Breath taking

    This documentary left me in awe. I was so emotionally charged and enfuriated by the end of it that I am writing my own reform letter to the Canadian judicial system. That poor family

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 2, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 26, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 6 Customer Reviews