Watch ‘Dear Zachary’ on TV this week
I neglected to tell you that “Dear Zachary,” one of the year’s best films and an extraordinarily moving documentary, was airing last Sunday on MSNBC. I totally forgot. Did MSNBC promote it? Would someone who never watches MSNBC have had any way of knowing it was coming up?
Anyway, we are in luck, because MSNBC is showing it again this Sunday at 1 p.m. PST (4 p.m. EST). Set your DVR and steel your emotions for an engrossing true-crime drama, a touching tribute to a murdered friend, and a gut-punching story about good’s attempt to triumph over evil.
In the meantime, avoid reading too much about the film. My review is safe, and so is the trailer (below), but some reviews and YouTube comments have been careless about spoilers. The less you know beforehand, the better.
P.S. I’m told that while the theatrical version has some swears — and you’d swear too, in these circumstances — they’ve been bleeped for MSNBC’s broadcast.

December 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to seeing this. I could use a good cry.
December 11th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I am going to try and remember to watch it. I don’t have DVR, so can’t do that. Hopefully I’ll remember what time it’s on!
December 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
You mentioned it on Twitter, but that doesn’t really count, now does it?
I’ll make sure to tune in.
December 11th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I saw this movie when it ran a week ago on MSNBC and all I have to say is WOW. It was such an emotionally draining experience. I can still recall with clarity individual moments and their impact better than any other movie I’ve seen this year. Definetley set aside time for this movie, it’s well worth it.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:51 am
This looks like a great movie…thanks for the recommendation. It’s set to record on Sunday!
December 14th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Gravy, this was hard to watch. I don’t know if I still like you. Or if I like you more. (Or if this sounds stalker-y.)
December 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
thanks for the heads up Eric. My wife and I watched it last night and it has been with me all day. The Bagby’s are amazing people. I hope I could be that strong in a situation like that. What a horrible situation they were put in. It was very inspiring.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Wow. I dvr’d this on your recommendation, and just finished watching it. Incredible. Thank you very much for the heads up.