New Release Review

Unplanned (the documentary) DVD
by Abby Johnson

Focus on the Family 2011
Tyndale House Publishers
Franklin Films

Reviewed by Diane Busch

The Unplanned documentary is the true story of Abby Johnson who began as a volunteer at Planned Parenthood when she was a college student because she wanted to help women.  After graduation, she worked her way up in the organization until she was the director of a Texas Planned Parenthood clinic.  Abby grew up in a Christian home that was pro-life, but she was convinced she was doing the right thing in helping women in crisis.  She was so brain-washed with the rhetoric she was taught, that she even had two abortions herself before she was married and didn't think of it as killing her babies but ending pregnancies.  In the DVD you hear her tell her story along with comments from her parents and others in her life.  You also hear from some of the Christians who prayed for her during this time.  It wasn't until one day when she was asked to actually assist with an abortion, that she was faced with the reality that abortion was killing a baby and that she could no longer support that.

This was a very well produced DVD with videography and narration interspersed with the interviews.  Her story is told gently and compassionately and conveys a compelling pro-life message.   Quiet, loving, and praying protesters outside the clinic were much more effective, than loud obnoxious ones, who don't show the love of Jesus.  The power of prayer is also a strong theme in this story--prayers of family, friends, and compassionate protesters.

I would recommend this DVD and the book to anyone who is on the fence about abortion or who feels that abortion is the solution to an unplanned pregnancy.  It would also be great for youth groups to watch together and discuss.

I received a complimentary copy of the Unplanned DVD from Tyndale House Publishers for review purposes.

If you would like to win a free copy of this DVD, please comment to this post.  We will choose one winner on May 11 @ 12:00 p.m. to receive a certificate  for 1 free copy of the Unplanned DVD.

Also sign up to participate in the Unite for LIFE webcast featuring Abby Johnson on May 17 @ 8:00 p.m. at www.uniteforlifewebcast.org.