RECOMMENDED???
is this more of a sensational documentary or fairly educational as well? i am looking for something that may have more information and insight into this hate group and not just a "hollywood-esque" type of movie
any thoughts??
I was reluctant to see this, because my instinct with attention grabbing idiots spewing b.s. is to not give them attention and just walk away. However, I did want to see what they had to say for themselves before I could condemn them. This documentary lets you see that.
There is no narration, and none needed. There are only a few times you even hear a question asked from off-camera, and that mainly in the section where they interview the children - not to try to lead the children, but to see if they are just spouting what they've memorized or what they really know: "What does that mean?" "How do you feel about that?"
There are interviews with some Topekans including the mayor and a Christian minister who stays calm through it all which speaks volumes about the difference between his ministry and Phelps. But mostly you hear from Phelps, his children and grandchildren.
Take the time to stomach it, and you will know at the end that you have been correctly informed about this "church" directly from its members. No one can say you were poisoned by the mass media or someone else's rhetoric. Judge for yourself. Sensationalist it is not (except for the Phelps' own self-sensationalism), educational it certainly is.