Watch The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Movie

The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Movie is a made-for-television biographical drama that premiered on Lifetime in 2014. The film, directed by Jason Lapeyre, explores the behind-the-scenes drama and scandals that occurred during the production of the beloved 1990s television show Saved by the Bell. The film boasts a relatively unknown cast but features compelling portrayals of the show's iconic cast of characters such as Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris), Dustin Diamond (Screech), Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater), and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (Kelly Kapowski). The movie is shot in a documentary-style format, with each of the actors providing interviews on their experiences playing their respective roles.

The movie begins with a brief history of the show, focusing on its initial success and overwhelming popularity with teenage audiences during its four-year run from 1989-1993. The filmmakers then delve into the internal struggles and controversies that plagued the cast and crew behind the scenes.

One of the central conflicts of the movie is the rivalry between cast members Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Dustin Diamond. The film portrays Gosselaar as a self-absorbed actor who takes himself too seriously, while Diamond is depicted as an outsider who is often belittled by his costars. The tension between the two actors eventually boils over, leading to a physical altercation on set.

In addition to exploring the interpersonal relationships between the cast members, The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Movie also delves into the show's creative process. The filmmakers portray executive producer Peter Engel as a manipulative figure who pushed the actors to behave in ways that were not consistent with their real-life personas. Engel is shown pressuring Gosselaar to bleach his hair and encouraging Thiessen to pose for revealing magazine spreads.

The movie also addresses the controversy surrounding the character of Lisa Turtle, played by Lark Voorhies. The producers of Saved by the Bell allegedly pressured Voorhies to straighten her hair and adopt a more "white" appearance, which upset the actress and caused tension on set.

While the film focuses primarily on the negative aspects of Saved by the Bell's production, it does not shy away from acknowledging the show's cultural significance. Interviews with real-life fans of the show lend the film a sense of authenticity and demonstrate just how important the show was to a generation of teenagers in the 1990s.

Overall, The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Movie is a fascinating look at the behind-the-scenes drama that made the show a cultural phenomenon. While some of the portrayals of the show's cast and crew are undoubtedly exaggerated, the film succeeds in creating a compelling narrative that feels both entertaining and informative.