Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief

  • 20152015
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
39K
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
39K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alex Gibney
  • Writers
    • Alex Gibney
    • Lawrence Wright(book)
  • Stars
    • Paul Haggis
    • Jason Beghe
    • Spanky Taylor
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alex Gibney
  • Writers
    • Alex Gibney
    • Lawrence Wright(book)
  • Stars
    • Paul Haggis
    • Jason Beghe
    • Spanky Taylor
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 91User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 7 wins & 32 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    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
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    My Scientology Movie
    6.6
    My Scientology Movie
    Jesus Camp
    7.4
    Jesus Camp
    The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley
    7.1
    The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley
    Capturing the Friedmans
    7.7
    Capturing the Friedmans
    Tickled
    7.5
    Tickled
    Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
    7.6
    Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
    Citizenfour
    8.0
    Citizenfour
    Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
    8.9
    Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
    Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God
    8.0
    Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God
    Leaving Neverland
    7.0
    Leaving Neverland
    Blackfish
    8.1
    Blackfish
    Exit Through the Gift Shop
    8.0
    Exit Through the Gift Shop

    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 reviews91

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    HBO you did it again !
    It is an excellent documentary, interviewing people that have been down through the void and scheme of scientology, so it carries a lot of weight.I found it really amusing and thorough, especially the way things about the religion are explained.It provides 2 hours of great amusement, 2 hours that will consume you totally. We are all interested in learning more about the "mistery" that surrounds this cult movement,and how it has obtained so many followers, and even more the colossal fortune. Watch it, it is worth the time spent....You'll learn a thing or two about how easily a person can be manipulated...Even the smartest one of us.
    helpful•87
    12
    • gabrielstanceski
    • 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

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (2015) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in July
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Double Take: Celebrity Twins
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.