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Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

Play trailer Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story Released Nov 24, 2006 1h 25m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Filmmakers Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim examine the case of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who was kidnapped on her way home from school in 1977. Though the incident at first seems to be a typical crime, authorities gradually learn that Megumi and other victims were taken by North Korean agents for use as role models for spies who wished to pass as Japanese citizens.

Critics Reviews

View All (23) Critics Reviews
Sid Smith Chicago Tribune This superb, quite moving film combines interviews, news footage and some reality TV-like sequences and works on a number of levels. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 26, 2007 Full Review Scott Brown Entertainment Weekly ... as thickets of history and culture are (too) neatly avoided, the viewer is also left in the dark. Rated: B- Jan 25, 2007 Full Review Anthony Lane The New Yorker The events that unfold in the new documentary Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story could have been told as fiction, but they would have seemed too much -- too unbelievable, too merciless. Jan 16, 2007 Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies This topic deserved better than America's Most Wanted. Rated: 2/5 Apr 11, 2007 Full Review Marc Mohan Oregonian Abduction is a skillful interweaving of emotional, personal stories with the thicker strands of history, and a reminder that in reality such tales rarely have a tidy end. Feb 2, 2007 Full Review Timothy Knight Reel.com Incredibly powerful -- and never more so than when the filmmakers turn their cameras on the Yokotas and other victims' families, many of whom channel their pain and anger into political activism. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 26, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (13) audience reviews
Audience Member this was such a moving, shocking and tragic film. being so removed from east asian culture or customs or life, it was so astonishing to me, not only to see the power of north korea, but even, most simply the way of life in japan. it was so heart wrenching to see these families suffer and still persist with every odd against them. the documentary did a wonderful job capturing human emotion the reality of the situation. i really pray that megumi is still alive and that she can return to her family soon. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating and heartbreaking documentary about the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member I was totally unaware of these abductions and, thus, totally taken by surprise. I wonder why this didn't receive more attention internationally while it was going on. Not the best documentary I've seen as far as capturing your attention is concerned: some cheap tricks are used to prolong suspense, which I find absolutely unnecessary. However, the subject matter will make you take a second look at this. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member well, the movie isn't so much about the abduction itself as about the families that try to cope with what has happened. highly emotional, as can be expected; which is not always a good thing. sad that we may never actually find out what happened to those that were labelled 'dead.' Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A very sad story but an interesting documentary. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. You will need a big box of kleenex for this one! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

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Cast & Crew

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Chris Sheridan

Director

Patty Kim

Director

Patty Kim

Writer

Chris Sheridan

Writer

Chris Sheridan

Producer

Patty Kim

Producer

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Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006) Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006) Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006) Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmakers Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim examine the case of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who was kidnapped on her way home from school in 1977. Though the incident at first seems to be a typical crime, authorities gradually learn that Megumi and other victims were taken by North Korean agents for use as role models for spies who wished to pass as Japanese citizens.
Director
Chris Sheridan, Patty Kim
Producer
Chris Sheridan, Patty Kim
Screenwriter
Patty Kim, Chris Sheridan
Distributor
Safari Media
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 24, 2006, Limited
Runtime
1h 25m