The Princess and the Marine
Encyclopedia
The Princess and the Marine is a 2001 American
made for television movie based on the true story of American Marine Jason Johnson and Bahrain
Princess
Meriam Al-Khalifa
, with stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar
and Marisol Nichols
in the roles of Jason and Meriam.
) is a Bahraini royal who is not content to be in an arranged marriage, even though her strict Muslim
parents would never allow a union with a non-Muslim. In the movie, Meriam is allowed to go to the local mall and watch and listen to American pop culture. One day, she calls up a local hotel and blurts out a room number after looking at her clock. She arranges to meet a group of friends, including a guy named Jason Johnson (Mark-Paul Gosselaar
). After meeting, the two become friends, but Meriam doesn't tell anyone because of her parents. After being caught, Meriam and Jason exchange letters with the help of a jeweler in the mall, and plan to run away to America with a fake passport for Meriam and pass her off as a fellow Marine.
Once in America, Meriam is taken in by the local authorities for being an illegal immigrant and is separated from Jason. Meriam is released after asking for asylum, saying she'd be disowned or even killed if she returned to Bahrain. Meriam and Jason marry in Las Vegas, and he is stripped of his rank in the Marines.
The film ends with Meriam and Jason stationed at a base, looking outside at an American flag. It is then that Meriam tells Jason that this is what she believes in (America - freedom).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
made for television movie based on the true story of American Marine Jason Johnson and Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
Princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
Meriam Al-Khalifa
Meriam Al-Khalifa
Sheikha Meriam Al Khalifa is a distant member of the Bahraini royal House of Al-Khalifa. She became famous after she met a US Marine and eloped with him to the United States...
, with stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
and Marisol Nichols
Marisol Nichols
Marisol Nichols is an American actress best known for her role in the sixth season of 24 as Special Agent Nadia Yassir.-Early life:...
in the roles of Jason and Meriam.
Plot
Meriam Al-Khalifa (Marisol NicholsMarisol Nichols
Marisol Nichols is an American actress best known for her role in the sixth season of 24 as Special Agent Nadia Yassir.-Early life:...
) is a Bahraini royal who is not content to be in an arranged marriage, even though her strict Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
parents would never allow a union with a non-Muslim. In the movie, Meriam is allowed to go to the local mall and watch and listen to American pop culture. One day, she calls up a local hotel and blurts out a room number after looking at her clock. She arranges to meet a group of friends, including a guy named Jason Johnson (Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
). After meeting, the two become friends, but Meriam doesn't tell anyone because of her parents. After being caught, Meriam and Jason exchange letters with the help of a jeweler in the mall, and plan to run away to America with a fake passport for Meriam and pass her off as a fellow Marine.
Once in America, Meriam is taken in by the local authorities for being an illegal immigrant and is separated from Jason. Meriam is released after asking for asylum, saying she'd be disowned or even killed if she returned to Bahrain. Meriam and Jason marry in Las Vegas, and he is stripped of his rank in the Marines.
The film ends with Meriam and Jason stationed at a base, looking outside at an American flag. It is then that Meriam tells Jason that this is what she believes in (America - freedom).
Cast
- Mark-Paul GosselaarMark-Paul GosselaarMark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
as Jason Johnson - Marisol NicholsMarisol NicholsMarisol Nichols is an American actress best known for her role in the sixth season of 24 as Special Agent Nadia Yassir.-Early life:...
as Meriam Al-Khalifa - Luck Hari as Meriam's mother
- Alexis Lopes as Latifa
- Keith RobinsonKeith Robinson (actor)Keith Robinson is an American actor and R&B singer.-Early life:Robinson was born in Louisville, Kentucky and later moved to Atlanta...
as Trucker - Sheetal Sheth as Layla
- Barbara Stock as Susan
- Steve Barr as Dale
- Pat SkipperPat SkipperWilliam Patterson "Pat" Skipper is an American television actor, film actor and voice actor. Pat is probably best known for his television work on such shows as X-Files and Boston Legal...
as Mr. Kennedy - Navi RawatNavi RawatNavi Rawat is an American television actress, known for her roles as Theresa Diaz on the drama series The O.C. and math prodigy Amita Ramanujan on the drama series Numb3rs. She is the niece of Prem Rawat....
as Sabika - Anthony AziziAnthony AziziAnthony Azizi is an American television actor.Born in New York City of Iranian descent, Azizi is mainly known for his television work. He has had recurring roles on 24 as terrorist Mamud Faheen , on 24 as Rafique and on Commander in Chief as presidential aide Vince Taylor...
as Lt. Ibrahim Bin Talaal - Elaine Tse as Jewelry Clerk
- Dave Powers as Smitty