A damn near perfect documentary
This is the documentary which started an obsession for me as I needed to find out more about this cult afterwards. It is so well put together and all of the fact-checking done by the writers Lawrence Wright and Alex Gibney was so refreshing as having watched some other documentaries which just spew hate at this organisation and just poke fun at the beliefs, these guys came with hard facts and they actually had some truly amazing accounts from within Scientology.
The editing can be a little choppy at times, but it didn't bother me as all the stories that are told in this documentary are told with such care and respect for the people involved. Really is an eye-opener and I have to say if this piques your interest then please watch Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath which actually has Mike Rinder in it, who truly is amazing at exposing this organisation.
Phenomenal! They should have gone deeper though
[7.2/10] Certainly an interesting documentary. Through a combination of South Park’s extended scrap with Scientology, my own wiki-wormholing, and the scuttlebutt and articles that followed in the wake of this very film, I already had a decent grip on much of the information presented, taking away some of the punch of it. Still, seeing archival and recent footage of Scientology’s major figures past and present, and hearing the concerns and horror stories of former adherents in their own words (particularly Paul Haggis) was shocking and affecting.
You do get the sense that you’re only getting one side of the story, which, given the horrible things done through Scientology, isn’t the greatest sin, though does make it feel harder to trust what’s presented. Still, as Haggis said in his letter, if even a fraction of it’s true (and I believe the vast majority of it is, for the record), it reveals the horror and pernicious qualities of this organization in a fashion that shocks the conscience.
The film does a nice job at dividing its topics up into various chapters, making it possible to follow the themes and throughlines even when it becomes easy to mix up some of the personalities involved. Overall, I think someone less acquainted with Scientology’s ills and controversies would get more out of it, but it’s still an arresting look at the terrible things perpetuated in the name of this “church.”
Holy crap! What a cult Scientology is. They don't deserve non-profit status (non-taxed income) at all and should be disbanded, taxed to the hilt and destroyed.
Great docu that opened the way for other exposés into this cult organization*.
An informative cautionary tale. Well Done! I give this documentary an 8 (great) out of 10. [Documentary, Cult]
This gives clear idea , how cults are formed. L.R.H. seemed like crazy guy , and had probably almost perfected brainwashing methodology.
great movie, lots of info about sinctology, the founder of the church and his followrrs are making money, Tom Cruise is in reversible relationship with that church if we can call it so, he getting great benefits from them as they use his fame.. movie is very detailed and i really enjoyed it...
The Church of Scientology is quite clearly a cult and it is a wonder how people like Tom Cruise can continue to support it on the basis of the negative reports that come from those who have survived the experience and left. Clearly there is a level of ego here. Cruise has become a Hollywood phenomenon and perhaps he fears his career will go downhill should he leave. He should take a look at John Travolta, however, who is also part of the church and yet his career is stalling yet again. The authorities need to take action on the current church leaders and stop the psychological and physical abuse its members sustain.
The documentary depicts the terrible practices of Scientology management, such as physical abuse in the Sea Org, denial of basic medical services, disconnection, and other issues of malfeasance.
This organisation is interested more by tax and money than well being of people.
A closer look to a thing that is clearly not a religion and was builded to gain money. This documentary it's really good and well done and it's so sad to see how the humanity can be so weak of mind and let that sick people like this, mess with them and their lives, sick people that just want power and money. I really hope someday all the people who run that organization pay for their crimes and those "celebrities" do something about it and open their eyes and start helping the people abused in there. I despise all religions, for me it's just cults to make money but this despicable Hubbard clearly took it to another level.
Great documentary. I think they should have gone deeper as well, but this is certainly scary enough on its own, I'm sure the people who did speak up are still living in fear of Miscavige and the church. You only ever really hear about the funny side of Scientology and this really brings to light what's really going on there. Definitely think it's worth the watch if you're interested in Scientology, conspiracies, cults, etc. But it is a long one.
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2015-09-12T14:54:15Z
No comments? Seriously? This is a bomb