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IMDbPro

Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief

  • 20152015
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
40K
YOUR RATING
Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
A documentary based on Lawrence Wright's book of the same name. Scientology is laid bare by a film that brings together archive footage, testimonials from former high ranking officials and public, and dramatic reconstructions.
Play trailer1:01
1 Video
5 Photos
Documentary
A documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.A documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.A documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
40K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alex Gibney
  • Writers
    • Alex Gibney
    • Lawrence Wright(book)
  • Stars
    • Paul Haggis
    • Jason Beghe
    • Spanky Taylor
  • Director
    • Alex Gibney
  • Writers
    • Alex Gibney
    • Lawrence Wright(book)
  • Stars
    • Paul Haggis
    • Jason Beghe
    • Spanky Taylor
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 95User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 7 wins & 32 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos

    Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
    Alex Gibney in Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
    Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
    Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Haggis
    Paul Haggis
    • Self
    Jason Beghe
    Jason Beghe
    • Self
    Spanky Taylor
    • Self
    David Miscavige
    David Miscavige
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    John Travolta
    John Travolta
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Tom Cruise
    Tom Cruise
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Lawrence Wright
    Lawrence Wright
    • Self
    L. Ron Hubbard
    L. Ron Hubbard
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Marjorie Cameron
    Marjorie Cameron
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Mike Rinder
    Mike Rinder
    • Self
    Tony Ortega
    Tony Ortega
    • Self
    Antony A. Phillips
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Hana Whitfield
    • Self
    • (as Hana Eltringham Whitfield)
    Kim Masters
    Kim Masters
    • Self
    Sara Goldberg
    • Self
    Steve Pfauth
    • Self
    • (as Sarge Pfauth)
    Tom De Vocht
    • Self
    Marty Rathbun
    • Self
    • Director
      • Alex Gibney
    • Writers
      • Alex Gibney
      • Lawrence Wright(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sheila Nevins, HBO's president of documentaries, said "probably 160 lawyers" worked with them on the film to avoid litigation from the Church of Scientology.
    • Goofs
      (at around 8 mins) When Paul Haggis is discussing his beginnings with the church, a clip is shown claiming to be "London, Ontario." What is actually shown is a view of downtown Hamilton, Ontario, looking east from King Street and James Street. The bus clearly reads "West Hamilton". Also visible: Woolworth's, the Wright House, and Gore Park - downtown Hamilton landmarks.
    • Quotes

      Paul Haggis: I finally get to OT 3 and they give me the secret materials, which I've been hearing about all this time. They're hand written by Hubbard. You'd have to keep them in a locked briefcase, be very cautious because they would always say if this gets out it's dangerous to people. It can actually do them harm if they are not adequately prepared. And I read it and it doesn't make any sense... I think, I remember for one fleeting second thinking well maybe it's an insanity test. Maybe if we believe this they kick you out. You know? Maybe you're insane! That of course is not the case. They talk about, you know, the fact that the earth was created, that such and such of trillions of years ago and this guy, who's this space guy... and put them in volcanoes and then blow them up with A-bombs... And we have these lost souls all over us and we have to get rid of them. And I'm going what the fuck are you talking about? I mean, I'm down for the self-help stuff. I'm down for, ok, I can be clear, I can, you know, I can get rid of those, the negative emotions, but what the fuck is this?

    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Shailene Woodley/Jason Biggs/Alex Gibney (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
      Written by Mickey Newbury

      Performed by The First Edition

      Courtesy of San Juan Music Group, LTD.

    User reviews95

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Frightening
    Documentary on the "church" of Scientology and its teachings. The first half of this is all about L. Ron Hubbard the founder of Scientology. It goes into detail about his life and beliefs and how he formed and developed the "church". The second half documents how the "church" changed and grew and used mind control and drew people into its beliefs...and wouldn't let them go. It gets into detail about their two star recruits--John Travolta and Tom Cruise. Travolta gets off pretty easy but Cruise comes off as a maniac. It also has interviews with former "church" members and their tales and revelations are nothing short of horrific.

    Maddening and scary documentary that shows exactly what is going on with Scientology. People can say this is a pack of lies and dismiss it...but why is this so-called "church" not suing them for libel? Also the director and writer of this are former church members so they know what they're talking about. For many years I remember walking around Boston and I was approached by a handsome young man or a pretty young woman and asked if I wanted to take a "personality test". I always politely said no and went on my way. That was how Scientology used to recruit people. They always approached young men and women, got them to go to their offices (Boston had--and still has--a chapter) and started to indoctrinate them. The most disturbing thing about this is there is extensive footage of Scientology conventions that look and sound like Nazi rallies! Everyone should see this.
    helpful•122
    15
    • preppy-3
    • Mar 30, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 25, 2015 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • HBO Documentary Films
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Going Clear
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • HBO Documentary Films
      • Jigsaw Productions
      • Sky Atlantic
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $230,194
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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