Beggar at the Gates (extra on Blood Freak DVD (Something Weird, 2002)). [Category: Sleaze & Outsider]

.This 60s documentary about religion focuses on the changes happening in the churches at the time, and, in particular, a new interest in the ecstatic religious experience. For some, this is speaking in tongues, for others, it’s taking LSD in the Neo-American church, and for others, it’s bonding with others at Catholic teen retreats. The filmmakers take an objective tack to all of this, showing all different kinds of ecstatic experiences, allowing various members of the clergy to comment on all of it, and including some thoughts by a religious psychologist. Nevertheless, some of it is kind of creepy. Still, this is an excellent historical document of the tumultuous 60s and how it affected religion, with scene after scene drawing you in and keeping your interest an almost mesmerizing way. It belongs next to such films as Coffee House Rendezvous, Columbia Revolt, and Greenwich Village Sunday in giving you an idea of what it was like to live during the 60s.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: *****.