Taking a slice out of mid-80's Christian fundamentalism, this documentary accurately captures the feeling of being in the church and experiencing the faith and fervor while illuminating their humanity. Like all good documentaries, BORN AGAIN lets the thing speak for itself. For someone like myself who grew up in the church, it's weirdly nostalgic and unsettling how close this film comes to the bone. All of the hot button topics are addressed. Abortion, premarital sex, divorce, and even slavery are addressed through the lens of this New England church and its parishioners. It's an important document that captures a particular brand of paternal of faith. One bound in a mix of dedication, fear and personal righteousness. Highly recommended.
3 Reviews
Interesting Insight on the Fundamental Baptist church in the 80's
mrflix6 April 2004
This documentary gives a unique view of the fundamentalist church in the northeast. It tells the story of a fundamentalist church being started in the north east in the 80's. It shows the building of the church. Starting a church Christian school. there are interviews with the pastor his wife their children, and many members of the church. How that the pastor (John) becomes born again., receives the call to preach, and goes to Dr. Falwell's school. How he leaves a profitable construction business in order to take his life savings to build the churches first building and school. The most interesting thing is that you will really be able to see the inner-workings of a church (conversion, divorce, child rearing) and how the fledgling church deals with these things. You will also see the church members speaking with one of their brothers and calling him to come to Christ. (Which he does) I must say that I am a member of a fundamental Baptist church so I am bias. I think this is the best and most well-rounded portrayal of the fundamentalist church.
A Nonjudgmental Look at Independent Baptist's
sonofbeach-sheet19 December 2016
Many think the Southern Baptist church is very strict and conservative until they get a glimpse of one of these. What Jerry Falwell, Bob Jones, Jack Hyles, Lester Roloff, and the like were. They are all over the country mostly in suburbs and small towns and tend to appeal to the lower middle-class and upper working classes. Their music is little more than hymn books, Bible is King James only, and dress code is no shorts for anybody or pants for the women.
Of all the places chosen for this documentary, it was Worcester, Massachusetts! Not a place known for fundamentalism! Thick New England accents, an Italian-American pastor and various other ethnicity's, mainly Irish, Polish, and Lithuanian.
The story focuses mostly on the pastor, his wife, and teenage daughter, a large extended family persuading a brother to get saved and join the church, and a single, financially strapped father of 3 boys trying to get his ex-wife to divorce her current husband and come back to him.
Excellent documentary filmed in 1984 when the Moral Majority was starting to die out.
Of all the places chosen for this documentary, it was Worcester, Massachusetts! Not a place known for fundamentalism! Thick New England accents, an Italian-American pastor and various other ethnicity's, mainly Irish, Polish, and Lithuanian.
The story focuses mostly on the pastor, his wife, and teenage daughter, a large extended family persuading a brother to get saved and join the church, and a single, financially strapped father of 3 boys trying to get his ex-wife to divorce her current husband and come back to him.
Excellent documentary filmed in 1984 when the Moral Majority was starting to die out.
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