On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying (2000)

In this emotional, powerful, and constructive look at how our culture faces death, renowned journalist Bill Moyers interviews dozens of terminally ill patients. From a gentle pediatrician who chooses not to combat his cancer with chemotherapy to palliative-care doctors and hospice workers who focus on comfort rather than cure, this four-part program uses individual portraits to explain the complex concepts and choices that surround "a good death." While research shows that the majority of the people wish to die at home, most Americans will die in hospitals. Moyers examines the ethical, medical, and economic forces that often drive a person's choices about death, allowing patients from many cultures and backgrounds to speak about their wishes and beliefs, each a poignant story of living with--and redefining--death.