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Not Without My Daughter

Not Without My Daughter is a 1991 American drama film directed by Brian Gilbert and based on Betty Mahmoody and William Hoffer’s 1987 memoir of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Not Without My Daughter is a 1991 American drama film directed by Brian Gilbert and based on Betty Mahmoody and William Hoffer’s 1987 memoir of the same name. The film stars Sally Field as Betty Mahmoody, who tries to escape Iran with her daughter after her husband refuses to let them return to the United States. It is commonly classified as a drama or thriller and has a runtime of 1 hour 50 minutes to 1 hour 56 minutes, depending on the source.

Plot and premise

The film dramatizes Betty Mahmoody’s escape from Iran with her daughter after a family trip becomes a prolonged ordeal. It centres on captivity, family conflict, and the attempt to return to the United States.

Production and release

Not Without My Daughter was released in 1991 and directed by Brian Gilbert. Sources list it as an American production with English dialogue and a PG-13 rating.

Cast

The principal cast includes Sally Field as Betty Mahmoody, Alfred Molina as Moody, Sheila Rosenthal as Mahtob, and Roshan Seth in a supporting role.

Source material

The film is adapted from the 1987 book Not Without My Daughter, written by Betty Mahmoody with William Hoffer. The memoir presents the events as a true story.

Reception and interpretation

The film is described by some sources as a fact-based thriller, and reviews note that it has been discussed for its portrayal of Iran and Iranian culture.

Key facts

  • Based on Betty Mahmoody’s 1987 memoir about her escape from Iran with her daughter.
  • Sally Field plays Betty Mahmoody, Alfred Molina plays her husband Moody, and Sheila Rosenthal plays Mahtob.
  • The film is classified as a drama and thriller, with a runtime varying from 1h 50m to 1h 56m.
  • Released in 1991 and directed by Brian Gilbert.
  • The story focuses on captivity, family conflict, and the attempt to return to the United States.
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Canadian context

The film is available through Canadian streaming and rental platforms, and Canadian audiences may encounter it as a title about family captivity, autobiography, and cross-cultural conflict.[8]

Frequently asked questions

What is Not Without My Daughter about?
It follows Betty Mahmoody’s effort to escape Iran with her daughter after her husband refuses to let them return to the United States.
Who directed the film?
Brian Gilbert directed Not Without My Daughter.
Who stars in the movie?
The film stars Sally Field, Alfred Molina, and Sheila Rosenthal.
What is it based on?
It is based on the 1987 memoir Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody and William Hoffer.
What genre is it?
It is generally classified as a drama and thriller.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_Without_My_Daughter_(film)
    Supports: Identifies the film, year, director, basis on the memoir, and core plot.
  2. Apple TV Canada — https://tv.apple.com/ca/movie/not-without-my-daughter/umc.cmc.6dz11cy9y5zj7ks8ced69olh9
    Supports: Canadian availability, synopsis, release year, runtime, director, and cast.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102555/
    Supports: Year, runtime, genres, and plot summary.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/not_without_my_daughter
    Supports: PG-13 rating, theatrical release date, genre, and runtime.