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Jesus Camp

PG-13 Released Sep 15, 2006 1h 27m Documentary List
88% Tomatometer 106 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady visit an evangelical Christian summer camp called Kids on Fire, where children take part in programs designed to strengthen and intensify their beliefs. The camp's founder, Becky Fischer, discusses her mission to indoctrinate youths in the word of God, while young campers play certain combat video games and talk about their love for Jesus.
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Jesus Camp

Jesus Camp

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Critics Consensus

Evangelical indoctrination is given an unflinching, even-handed look in this utterly worthwhile documentary.

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Critics Reviews

View All (106) Critics Reviews
Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Why bother with horror films when you can see this? Rated: 3/5 Nov 23, 2007 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Some lively material - but nothing new. Rated: 2/5 Nov 23, 2007 Full Review Jamie Russell BBC.com This unabashedly liberal documentary tries to redress the balance by giving the rest of America a wake up call: not all scary fundamentalists come strapped with explosives. Rated: 3/5 Nov 23, 2007 Full Review Annlee Ellingson CineWomen Heidi Ewing’s breakout feature film was the Academy Award-nominated Jesus Camp in 2006, a movie that, fifteen years later, plays eerily familiar. Jul 28, 2024 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady deliver a disturbing message about contemporary America through the eyes of children. May 12, 2020 Full Review Felicia Feaster Creative Loafing After the filmmakers' 200th shot of kids weeping at the words of the lord, the message changes from educational to freak show. Feb 3, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Hobbes C Seeing these kids cheerfully saying they would die for god is so heartbreaking. We must pay attention to the is indorctrination! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Audience Member Approaching this documentary with intrigue towards potential insight in the biblical conversion onto such young age, only to question it further between discomfort towards its mis-conceptualized presentation and newfound contrary to the core belief system, without any negativity. No doubt earnest in the grasped facts within their maintained beliefs while this film, without straying from the objective, managed to present both sides of the argument including witnessing the indoctrination process amidst youth's growth presented as a cinematically documented brochure, which unveils the conflict via hence the misconception. It remains close to the titular camp's processive narrative, but in a conflicting, questionable light including the verbal deliverance without much context to solidify the concreteness. The present engagement, if too compelled with also an open mind, could find how badly it got dated, in a form of a betrayal, as part of the other thought regarding an interesting update on the involving figures in the undeniably-associated political climates. Beliefs come and go at times politically connected more or less to none, as it's about individualism between good and bad paths, and this undoubtedly divisive documentary does provide insightful glimpses under general senses towards child development to consider. However, when thinking about the Christianity connections the faction tried to sell, there's clearly indoctrination that doesn't convince otherwise as it originates the perceptually contrived delivery surrounding a number of Christian pictures while few others are actually blessed. (B-) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review gareth Absolutely terrifying. This is nothing short of child abuse. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/24/22 Full Review dave s Over the years, if history has taught us one thing it is the fact that blind faith is dangerous. This has never been more evident than in Jesus Camp, a documentary that explores the quest of fundamentalist Christians in America to shamelessly brainwash their children into their faith for political gain. Equal parts infuriating, shocking and saddening, it follows pastor Becky Fischer as she indoctrinates children, like lambs led to the slaughter, at her ‘Kids on Fire' summer camp in North Dakota. What is equally unsettling (and a testament to the objectivity of the filmmakers) is the fact that the fundamentalists would undoubtedly support their actions documented over the course of the film as the fulfilment of their mission. Jesus Camp is compelling viewing throughout and is everything that a good documentary should be. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most important movies of the early 2000s Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Alessandro B Jesus Camp makes ever-clear the US's obsession with Christianity and the dangers of compulsory indoctrination, religion in politics, and fundamentalism. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/21 Full Review Read all reviews
Jesus Camp

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Jesus Camp

Jesus Camp: Official Clip - What's Wrong With This Reasoning? Jesus Camp: Official Clip - What's Wrong With This Reasoning? 1:39 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - You're a Phony and a Hypocrite Jesus Camp: Official Clip - You're a Phony and a Hypocrite 1:31 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - An Entanglement of Politics With Religion Jesus Camp: Official Clip - An Entanglement of Politics With Religion 1:31 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Levi Preaches Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Levi Preaches 1:56 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Dead Churches Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Dead Churches 1:15 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Dancing for the Flesh Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Dancing for the Flesh 2:32 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - You're On God's Mind Jesus Camp: Official Clip - You're On God's Mind 2:32 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - A Separation of Church and State Jesus Camp: Official Clip - A Separation of Church and State 3:02 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - At Five I Got Saved Jesus Camp: Official Clip - At Five I Got Saved 1:15 Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Religion Is Not Science Jesus Camp: Official Clip - Religion Is Not Science 1:53 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady visit an evangelical Christian summer camp called Kids on Fire, where children take part in programs designed to strengthen and intensify their beliefs. The camp's founder, Becky Fischer, discusses her mission to indoctrinate youths in the word of God, while young campers play certain combat video games and talk about their love for Jesus.
Director
Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Producer
Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Distributor
Magnolia Films
Production Co
Loki Films, A&E IndieFilms
Rating
PG-13 (Mature Subject Matter)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 15, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$901.5K
Runtime
1h 27m
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