Watch
Jesus Camp

Jesus Camp

2006
Documentary
1h 27m
A growing number of Evangelical Christians believe there is a revival underway in America that requires Christian youth to assume leadership roles in advocating the causes of their religious movement. This documentary, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, directors of the critically acclaimed "The Boys of Baraka," follows Levi, Rachael, and Tory to Pastor Becky Fischer's "Kids on Fire" summer camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, where kids as young as 6 years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in "God's army." (Magnolia Pictures)
Your probable score
?

Jesus Camp

2006
Documentary
1h 27m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 60.94% from 1700 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1699)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 26 Mar 2007
75
89th
Probably the most disturbing documentary I have ever seen, America and the world are in trouble when there are people like this in such high numbers practising this insanity. These people make Charles Manson look sensible. Edit: Recent events in the world have made this documentary look sensible.
Rated 02 Feb 2007
7
68th
Disturbing and just plain weird. Really makes you hate idiots and especially people who take things to such an extreme level.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
88th
Powerful and perfectly disturbing.
Rated 13 Sep 2007
78
76th
Better than the average horror flick. The ideology and especially the engagement that comes with it is terrifying. But it's still hard to point out which emotion comes with this film. In my opinion it was a mixture of humor, frustration, pity and fear. ........... This puts a little extra in the quote: "We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another"
Rated 30 Jan 2007
85
83rd
A completely disturbing film on how some small minded people in small towns are actively indoctrinating children into fundamentalist Christianity. It was pretty hard for me to finish, but definitely worth it.
Rated 18 Feb 2008
82
76th
The most disgusting and disturbing movie I've ever seen. If this is what god really wants, I hope he doesn't exist.
Rated 11 Feb 2007
72
62nd
This is a hard film to watch. Right from the start it's really frustrating seeing the environment that some American children are being raised in. The documentary itself is fairly simple, but the disturbing content is very memorable and effective. Also: HARRY POTTER IS AN ENEMY OF GOD
Rated 01 Mar 2007
76
75th
Hey this movie is goddamned terrifying. I mean don't get me wrong, the filmmakers don't put in any commentary, so it's pretty unbiased, but...yea, terrifying.
Rated 05 Dec 2007
75
90th
I don't believe J.C. is not biased at all. It is biased favoring sanity that shows through subtle editing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
61st
Truly terrifying
Rated 31 Dec 2007
76
69th
Jesus Camp is a disturbing look at the children of our generation. It is hard to watch, and sometimes absolutely unbelieveable, and yet it is worth every second to see the indoctrination of our youth, and how it plays out in todays society. Very good yet very simplistic. Worth a look.
Rated 14 Sep 2008
50
14th
Disappointing. I don't doubt its portrayal of this (narrow) segment of Christianity. But one might think all Evangelicals are like this, which obscures the reality that the particular political and religious issues emphasized at Fischer's camp come primarily from a pentecostal tradition, which is hardly representative of Evangelicals as a whole. Of course, the camp is disturbing in its emotional manipulation of children, but I don't fault people for passing on their beliefs. Everyone does that.
Rated 03 Dec 2008
7
70th
Harry Potter must die!
Rated 16 Nov 2010
81
74th
Eye opening doc on how some use children to help carry their religious messages. Sad, but it does a good job depicting this topic. They didn't need to add their own extra music in the background at points. The words spoken and the actions taking place should be enough. It is good that religion can give these kids a positive outlet in their life to stay out of trouble, but I just wish it didn't have to be taken to the next extreme. Good film that got it's message across.
Rated 16 Jul 2011
80
78th
As unsettling of a documentary as you will see. You are essentially watching brainwashing of children within all the legalities of society. To see the adults tell the children complete lies just so they will think a certain way and then hear the kids repeat what they've been told is pretty damn scary. This is how unstable adults are formed.
Rated 29 Sep 2013
90
90th
It is absolutely infuriating to see these people using bright, young kids for their own political purposes. Seeing them use fear, shame and pseudo religious experiences to turn these kids into preachers is just horrible. The way they try to mold young, adorable kids into right wing christian minions is absolutely heartbreaking. +1 for getting Jesus Camp closed.
Rated 11 Feb 2007
90
91st
I was amazed by this documentary. It simply shows the fundamentalist Christian camp without bias and let's you draw your own conclusions. Whether you support it or find it absolutely terrifying, like I did, is up to you.
Rated 10 May 2007
78
54th
Scary ass shit d00d. "If Harry Potter lived in biblical times, he would be dead." Umm...not true, Harry has magical powers, and he could easily defeat any ancient civilization's army with a simple patronus. Plus he's a god person, so Jesus certainly wouldn't harm him. If only Jesus had had Harry's power...
Rated 29 Jul 2008
80
64th
A very disturbing documentary.
Rated 28 Dec 2008
65
62nd
More disturbing than any horror film I've seen.
Rated 22 Jan 2010
67
81st
It's not a documentary; it's a horror movie.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
80
79th
Jesus christ, this documentary is scary. A kids camp should be fun, but I saw kids crying most of the time. This film gave me chills, everything's so fucked up
Rated 25 Sep 2011
90
90th
You'll probably find a DVD of 'Jesus Camp' under the Documentary section of your video shop (or website), but really it belongs under Horror. Enlisting the impressionable youth for political causes and convincing them that anything contradicting their beliefs should be disregarded outright is more frightening than any machete-wielding psychopath. The hypocrisy is almost unbearable. Early on, the children are told that "evil preys on the youth" with no sense of irony or self-awareness. Scary.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
76
70th
So incredibly frustrating to watch. You just want to reach through the tv and punch all the adults in the face until the world is right again. It's heartbreaking to see how these kids are being stripped of everything that would have made their formative years memorable, happy and stimulating, and being indoctrinated with guilt and fear instead. A follow-up would be fascinating (and probably depressing as hell).
Rated 09 May 2007
84
70th
A great movie detailing the power of Christianity in some people. Though I personally find their methods of religious practice ridiculous it's impressive to see people with such dedication to what they believe in. The movie is very even-handed and shows the creepiness as well as the importance of this extreme religion.
Rated 01 Nov 2007
77
60th
Christians rile me up enough, but Evangelicals totally make my blood boil, and fear for our future. This doc doesn't take a stand either way, and while the even-handedness is admirable, I would have appreciated more voices on my side. Even the commentary track was rather annoyingly unbiased. At some point you have to be willing to take a stand and step on some toes. But I suppose it wouldn't sway anyone's opinion either way. I only hope some of these kids come to their senses when they grow up.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
4
83rd
Very unsettling. I can't believe some of this shit is real. I don't want to believe.
Rated 10 Feb 2008
88
90th
Perfectly nonsubjective and perturbing.
Rated 20 Jan 2009
80
65th
Superbly edited and shot. Haunting and eyeopening.
Rated 29 Apr 2009
80
90th
YOU DONT MAKE HEROES OUT OF WARLOCKS GRRRRRR
Rated 17 Aug 2009
90
90th
Nutjob fundies are always a hoot.
Rated 05 Mar 2010
85
92nd
The frightening thing is that this is reality and a viewpoint that a significant number of people in the U.S. share. This is one of those documentaries that had to be made at some point and the only question is why it took so long. Of particular note are the humorous and terrifying scenes of children praying to a George W. Bush cutout and the scenes with creepy meth addicted televangelist Ted Haggard.
Rated 14 May 2010
75
83rd
How do you not realize that you're messed up when George Bush gives credibility to your religion and Harry Potter is your worst enemy? This is some scary shit.
Rated 23 May 2010
85
61st
Scary stuff.
Rated 28 May 2010
75
65th
Deeply unnerving. Quote: "Your question to me is, do I feel it's right for fundamentalists to indoctrinate their children with their own beliefs, and fundamentally yes I do." ~ Becky Fischer|| As someone who was raised a non-conservative christian, and later made his own decision to give up the belief, I can only hope that some day these children have the opportunity to think for themselves. Regardless of religion, I'm of the opinion that you can't believe unless you doubt first.
Rated 28 Nov 2010
81
78th
Extremly terrifying. You wish for them to break out laughing and tell you they're just kidding. Spoiler Alert: They're not.
Rated 05 Mar 2011
75
59th
scary as hell, though
Rated 02 Oct 2012
3
73rd
Although alarmist what is shown surely counts as child abuse and mental illness. Really interesting stuff, would love to see a follow-up on the people included, let's hope they all get better.
Rated 27 Jun 2014
75
60th
An irritating look into militant fundamentalists and the indoctrination of their children. The best bit involves the kids blessing a cardboard cutout of Dubya while some old lady props it up and speaks in tongues. Oh, and WARLOCKS.
Rated 28 Jan 2007
65
27th
Amazingly disturbing. Kids that are indoctrinated and forced into strict discipline at that age will turn out to be wild ones once they're set free. Trust me on this one. And YES, the fat bitch was hilarious!
Rated 24 Feb 2007
79
61st
Interesting look at extremism and the role childhood plays in it.
Rated 09 May 2007
63
61st
Almost studiously avoids a point of view. But when a film's intention is to unveil the effects of indoctrinating children with an intolerant dogma, I don't tend to think of that as a plus necessarily.
Rated 23 May 2007
84
65th
A pretty great, powerful exposé, as well as a fantastic comedy. Pretty terrifying how some people are reared from childhood.
Rated 27 Jun 2007
75
50th
As most people have already said, this film is one of the scariest things you'll ever see. It is one thing to have adults acting this way, but when kids are involved it goes to another level.
Rated 01 Aug 2007
97
81st
Pretty close to perfect. A terrifying account of the rift in American Christianity and the children caught in the middle of it.
Rated 23 Sep 2007
80
79th
Creepy.
Rated 27 Mar 2008
90
85th
Scary FILM on how christians brainwash each other.
Rated 13 Apr 2008
80
83rd
Contrast to all the "moslims-are-evil" films. Disturbing? Definitely - as much as any film about extremism should be.
Rated 19 Apr 2008
50
86th
Makes Christians look stupid and crazy without even trying.
Rated 21 Jun 2008
77
62nd
Let's feed these kids some mcdonalds, give them a M16, and tell them to kill Mohammed...that said, its these kinds of people that give Americans a bad name.
Rated 25 Aug 2008
62
43rd
above average documentary but relies too much on shocking imagery to make its point, or I don't know, maybe it was a smart move to just turn the camera over to them and let them do the talking.
Rated 12 Dec 2008
67
53rd
I don't know if there are such camps in Belgium. Maybe it's something typical American.
Rated 21 Dec 2008
8
78th
Legitimately scary. I felt really bad for some of these kids.
Rated 14 Mar 2009
75
71st
Disturbing, I've witnessed this behavior before and this film accurately portrays radical youth Christianity. I've always had a problem with the 'brain-washing' of children who don't know any better, and I'm glad this film revealed this aspect of this religion in America. Though I do find it funny that the name of the camp is called 'Kids on Fire'... let's think for one minute people... actually that may be too much to ask.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
70
77th
A scary look in how some children in America are being indoctrinated. At times, you begin to wonder if what you are seeing is just a fucked up drama, but then you realize that this is in fact a documentary. The radio talkshow host does his best to get the other side of the argument out there, but the funny thing is his view on things is not necessary for this film, these Evangelicals are doing his job for him.
I really hope these kids eventually 'get it', though I doubt it..
Rated 16 Jul 2009
86
62nd
How the hell do I rate a film like this? It's excellently made and presented, as there's no making light of the situation (Moore) or trying to make it more interesting with silly props (Spurlock), so right off the bat I respect it. It's also nearly devoid of bias, and yet has still managed to scare people. I would call it essential viewing for anyone who isn't aware this is happening to this extent. I really just want to shake my head and say I can't believe it.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
74
45th
This scared the shit out of me.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
90
89th
This is, without a doubt, the absolute most frightening film I have ever seen. It made me want to instantly go out and thank every parent who has ever raised their child to have an open mind. The parents in this film should be put in prison.
Rated 26 Aug 2009
85
65th
This movie portrays exactly how it is in these evangelical camps. Trust me my parents forced me to go to these things my whole childhood. It was scary then and its scary now. They really should have put this under horror and not documentary I'm gona have nightmares for a while.
Rated 01 Sep 2009
96
98th
Shows that religious fundamentalism is always disturbing and sick, no matter from which religion it comes. Educate your kids, don't brainwash them!
Rated 16 Oct 2009
86
66th
a powerful movie and an absorbing, thrilling documentary. You will not be bored for one second.
Rated 22 Nov 2009
85
86th
Nothing can represent my shame for this country more than the subjects of this doc. This is one of the scariest and unbelievable things ever recorded. I felt like I went to a zoo and watched the animals in their estranged habitat.
Rated 24 Nov 2009
85
73rd
Ah, the dangers and hypocrisy of fundamentalism, and how it affects kids. Good stuff.
Rated 26 Nov 2009
96
98th
Eye-opening. The scene with the main pastor about 10 minutes in is one of the most unsettling interviews I have ever seen on film, where she laments about followers of Islam's adherence to their religion and how she wishes Christians would be raised to "radically lay down their lives" in the same manner. Nice director's commentary on the DVD.
Rated 11 Jan 2010
60
57th
"Harry Potter is the enemy of god", how do they come up with this? I hope somebody does a follow up on the long-haired boy and the girl in the final scene. I wonder how they turn out.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
70
79th
Disturbing look at evangelicals and their madness.
Rated 03 Oct 2010
70
74th
Terrifying. I need to get out of this country...
Rated 28 Nov 2010
78
84th
Absolute horror
Rated 16 Jan 2011
80
41st
enlightening.
Rated 26 Jan 2011
80
84th
Wow, Robert Duvall sure got carried away with that Apostle role.
Rated 19 Mar 2011
85
11th
Having spent time multiple years in one of these, I can relate too much to say here. That's why I think so highly of this.
Rated 17 Apr 2011
90
96th
Terrifying.
Rated 30 Jun 2011
75
74th
"It just gets crazier and crazier." As an American living in Europe, I must say I'm ashamed and proud of my country at the same time. We have the smartest and dumbest people on the planet. The land of extremes.. Summing up the movie: scary indoctrination of the youth and destroying the idea of separation of church and state.
Rated 18 Jul 2011
87
68th
Evangelical indoctrination is given an unflinching, even-handed look in this utterly worthwhile documentary.
Rated 08 Feb 2012
80
80th
Hey, did you consider that if they ever actually suceeded in making this army of Christ, and they were to go on a rampage, it would be a Bona fide zombie apocalypse?!
Rated 15 Mar 2012
65
52nd
I misread the title (and the cover image) and went in thinking this was the Jesse Camp documentary. Not happy.
Rated 19 Nov 2012
80
84th
So scary it makes you feel crazy just watching them.
Rated 01 Jul 2014
70
48th
I've thought of a dozen legitimately insightful or funny things to say but I can't get over the fat bitch using a VCR and that one kid's rattail. What the fuck is wrong with these people?
Rated 30 Jul 2014
45
9th
The fundie brainwashing is pretty reproachable but the most offensive thing in this whole movie to me is that kid's nasty-ass mullet. That thing's a sin to the eyes!
Rated 27 Oct 2015
70
41st
Interesting observational movie, though some of the blatantly manipulative editing is annoying, mostly because it seems unnecessary, and the parts with the talk-radio host are tedious and fear-mongering. I think religious indoctrination of children is a big problem, but the apocalyptic notion of the religious far-right taking over America (a notion that was, to be fair, a popular and dispiriting one in Bush's term) is unhelpful, and of course proving itself more and more wrong as the years go by
Rated 22 Nov 2015
8
71st
Not sure what's so shocking and surprising about this. Was no one else brought up in a christian family?
Rated 08 Aug 2016
62
80th
I hope, days shall come when humanity shall call such scenes and acts as child abuse ---- "Cruelty, stupidity, incapacity for harmonious personal relations, and many other defects, have their source in most cases in the moral teaching endured during childhood" B. Russell
Rated 30 Apr 2019
20
57th
: (
Rated 01 Feb 2007
85
66th
Form-wise, a fairly ordinary documentary film, but the incredibly disturbing content turns it into a must-see.
Rated 03 Feb 2007
86
84th
Extremely frightening and worthwhile documentary.
Rated 20 Feb 2007
76
78th
Absolutely haunting. One of the best films of 2006.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
100
99th
This is the best movie I have ever seen. I nominate this for best comedy of the year!
Rated 16 Mar 2007
65
29th
Like a car wreck, you can't look away.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
74
56th
Further proof that extremism is dangerous and harmful. Frightning.
Rated 21 May 2007
14
75th
Although it doesn't have a particularly high standard of film-making, this is one of those documentaries where the quality of the subject makes it a classic. It's astoundingly neutral, given the subject matter, but I hope anyone who watches it would draw the sane conclusion.
Rated 10 Jun 2007
90
84th
Scary film!!!!
Rated 26 Jan 2008
73
17th
Over-hyped, under-delivers.
Rated 18 Feb 2008
75
72nd
Are you serious?
Rated 11 Mar 2008
40
29th
bullshit documentary is bullshit
Rated 05 Apr 2008
75
85th
This hit a little too close to home. Alternately engaging and uncomfortable.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
50
38th
I can't say I watched all of this, but I watched enough to say that it's hilarious in an insane kind of way. Good laughs, but extremism is always quite terrifying.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
78
73rd
Competent documentary filmmaking. Scarier than any horror movie I've ever watched. This film is an instance where I would actually have appreciated a more apparent bias on the part of the filmmakers.
Rated 27 Jun 2008
84
89th
It's not possible to fairly rate this movie, it's too significant. This is a Documentary about Christianity as defined by fundamentalist Christians, from their own mouths without any unfair editing, and it is an atrocity. It is absolutely criminal. It is unbelievable to me that the amount of mental abuse administered to these children is not considered to be prosecutable. And that makes it all the more horrifying.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
70
41st
Definitely a "must-see" movie.
Rated 30 Jul 2008
75
53rd
Actually kind of scary. There are a lot of nice touches in the movie, such as showing people drinking Pepsi.

Collections

(22)
Compact view
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

No Trailer