Based on the true story of Dr. Kermit Gosnell the movie takes audiences behind the scenes of the investigation and trial of the man who has been dubbed the “Biggest Serial Killer in America.”
The film is based on the New York Times bestselling book Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer written by Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer. The book attracted controversy after the New York Times initially refused to list it as a best seller despite it being the number 3 best seller on Amazon and Publishers Weekly.
The movie is based on the trial and conviction of a doctor, Kermit Gosnell, who was operating an abortion clinic. This movie was not putting on trial the act of abortion however, but a man who practiced medicine in a way that had no concern for any life.
“When I read the script I was overwhelmed with the information I didn’t know about the case and abortion,” said Director Nick Searcy.
Searcy said with a topic like abortion, he along with the producers, cast and crew worked hard to make a movie that both sides could see, regardless of where you stand on the issue.
According to the real life story of the Gosnell Case, two detectives James “Woody” Wood (Dean Cain) and Det. Stark (Alfonzo Rachel) were working to uncover which doctors were illegally selling prescription drugs. During that process they learned about the abortion clinic that Kermit Gosnell (Earl Billings) ran. A raid by local authorities, DEA and FBI spurred even more questions about this clinic when they found babies bodies being stored in things like orange juice containers.
When you first see the depiction of the clinic in the film it is like walking into a home. One that has not been cleaned or kept in order, much less suitable for medical procedures. The meowing and movement of cats continues throughout the building as the camera walks you through hallway after hallway.
The viewer can get an eerie feeling when you finally meet Gosnell, who is neither shocked nor concerned at the presence of law enforcement inside his clinic. Instead, he unpacked his groceries and made his way over to a tank filled with several different endangered turtles. These creatures were special to him, this elderly seemingly polite older man, and he makes sure they are fed for the day. Later in the film when he is denied bail at trial, Gosnell’s only concern is for his turtles, and that the court ensure that they be taken care of.
In Gosnell’s clinic, babies’ feet were also found cut from the body and placed in small bottles, something Gosnell called “record keeping.”
“What this man was doing was horrible, in the process of learning about it all we gave more facts about abortion,” said Searcy.
But Gosnell’s cleaning routine was not on trial, the accusations against him were brutal and all circled around how he performed the abortions and whether or not there was a question of viability among the children found dead within his clinic.
The cast did an excellent job of pulling you into the story with their own emotional responses to the unbelievable facts unfolding before your eyes. Former District Attorney Christine Wechsler and Detective James Woods, who investigated the actual case, were consulted on set in order to help with the accuracy of the background information.
“It was a great experience for me, a wonderful bunch of actors….I couldn’t have asked for more. Having a budget of this size, we were forced to focus on the performances and they were terrific. I couldn’t have asked for more and I’ve made some great friends along the way,” said Searcy.
Kermit Gosnell was convicted in May of 2013 on three counts of murder for the death of three infant children and involuntary manslaughter of Karnamaya Mongar. In a thirty-year killing spree he is thought to have killed hundreds, perhaps thousands. ABC News described him as “America’s most prolific serial killer.”
He is currently serving life in prison with no possibility for parole.
The movie premiers today, Friday October 12 and is in over 650 theaters across the U.S. Find out where you can watch it at a theater near you at gosnell movie.com.
Reviews:
David Daleiden, The Center for Medical Progress: GOSNELL is the “best movie about abortion ever made.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List: “Everyone needs to see the Gosnell movie particularly young people. I can’t recommend this movie more strongly. The Gosnell movie faces viewers with the brutality and inhumanity of abortion and it achieves this in a movie that looks as good as any Hollywood film. This movie will change hearts and minds about abortion. It needs to be available widely.”
Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life of America: “After watching the Gosnell movie, I’m angry, I’m sad, and I’m more motivated than ever to end abortion. Every American should watch GOSNELL. If pro-choice, they need to watch it and be able to defend their beliefs. If pro-life, they need to watch it and ask themselves why they aren’t active in ending this atrocity. This movie should be screened on every college campus in our nation.”
