Jesus Camp

PG-13

Released Sep 15, 2006

1h 27m

Documentary

List

88%

Tomatometer

105 Reviews

80%

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 20

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent Jesus Camp on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

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

Read 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

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

Annie Wagner

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

The filmmakers are more hands off than your average agitdoc director, but their point is unmistakable.

Feb 27, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Joel C

God I feel sorry for those kids, they're gonna be messed up. If Jesus was real, he'd distance himself from these fanatic sorts. It's a good watch though, you see disturbed adults projecting their BS onto their children. When the kids are being interviewed without adults it reminds of the interviews of the young girls who followed Charles Manson. Lastly, didn't Christians burn people for speaking in tongues?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/21

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Heidi Ewing

Director

Rachel Grady

Director

Mike Papantonio

Voice

Ted Haggard

Actor

Becky Fischer

Actor

Lou Engle

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

83%

71%

The September Issue

59%

67%

The Hip Hop Project

85%

91%

War/Dance

92%

72%

Super Size Me

72%

66%

Gunnin' for That No. 1 Spot

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Lion, Night of the Living Dead, The Salesman, and More on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

Oscar Night Approaches; Who Will Win? Our Predictions Inside!

Critical Consensus: "Jackass" Kicks; "King" Is Dethroned; "Fearless" Is Action-Packed; "Flyboys" Is Grounded

View more photos

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: Nancy Dubuc, Molly Thompson
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

Most Popular at Home Now