George Wright This is an amazing documentary, based on an interview with Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Robert Kennedy. It has extensive film footage of the public and private lives of the Kennedy family, particularly Robert and Ethel's; however, there are many views of the extended family. The interviewer is Ethel and Robert's youngest child, Rory. She does an excellent job of letting the viewer see her mother as a woman who has lived a full life with all its pain and joy. I never really knew Ethel Kennedy, although she was always a fixture in the Kennedy clan. After seeing this movie, I was moved by her honesty, her lack of pretense and her love for Bobby. She laughed at her hijinks, throwing a party for President Kennedy where the entire Cabinet ended up in the pool, or taking off on a scooter and crashing it during a trip to Rome. She talked about their two families and how they got along very well, despite being totally different. After Bobby's death, Ethel raised her children to be acutely aware of the poverty and hardship in the country and how important it is to work to overcome this divide. Her frankness was disarming. When asked about Bobby's climb of Mount Kennedy, named after his brother President Kennedy, she said, "He hated it". But he felt it was a challenge he had to take on. It was also clear that Ethel's faith is very deep and that she sees the tragic events as moments that all must encounter. In the meantime, we do what we can because we never know how long we have. Ethel Kennedy has had a long run and has done very well coping with her roller coaster life. After watching this documentary, I felt great admiration for her. I learned much about Ethel and her late husband, who I have always admired. I would gladly see this film again.

asc85 First off, let me say that I'm not a big fan of the Kennedy family, although judging by some of the comments in the User Reviews and on the message boards for "Ethel," the fact that I don't despise them probably puts me somewhere in the middle. I wanted to see this because I thought it took the whole Kennedy mystique/angle from someone who is rarely the focus of these things...Ethel Kennedy, the wife of RFK. And there seemed to be a lot of home footage and pictures rarely seen by the public that is shown, and I found that very interesting.But what made the film so sweet and very good to me was the commentary of all the different RFK children who are still alive. One sibling - Douglas - is not a part of the movie, and actually, I'd love to hear why that was the case. In the beginning of the movie, the rapport/interaction between the siblings and Rory (the youngest, and the director of "Ethel"), seems loving and genuine. And their affection for each other, as well as their mother and father is evident. While some have criticized the fact that they refer to their parents as "Mummy" and "Daddy" throughout the picture, I thought it humanized Ethel and RFK. While RFK was internationally renowned, and Ethel went along for the ride, in the end, they were parents who raised their children as best they could.I've also seen criticism that this painted too rosy of a picture of the RFK clan. However, documentary filmmakers make decisions every day on what they choose to show and not show of their subjects. There have been many books, movies, TV shows criticizing the Kennedys with sensational allegations or showing some of the more tragic aspects from this family. Accordingly, I think it is appropriate to show one where the Kennedys are shown in a more favorable and "human" light.

rorbach-507-476664 I thought the documentary was great, Ethel has had some life. Did learn some things I did not know about the family.It has great family home movies.Takes you back in time and made me continue to wonder what if.If you like Kennedy family history, this will give you some great insight.My only issue: the mummy and daddy from her children was started to really tick me off, it is nauseating. Seems forced. saying my mother and/or father would have been better! Mummy/Daddy drinking game could be good.....You would be hammered the first half hour!

Irpollock A first rate documentary about Ethel Kennedy and her wonderful family. There were so many photos and videos of the family that helped to show the family at home and on the campaign trail besides historical footage of news reports that showed that time period. While I was a student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ in 1968, I worked on the Bobby Kennedy campaign and had the most wonderful time and was able to attend Bobby's speech in Camden, NJ along with other campaign workers where we were also able to see Ethel. Rory did a wonderful job of showing how loving and supportive her Mom was of her husband and what a wonderful mother she was and continues to be. Thank you for giving us an insider's view of your family.