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Deliver Us from Evil

(2006, Rated NR, Documentary, Starring Oliver O'Grady, Ann Jyono, Thomas Doyle)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Intense child abuse documentary. Adults only.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Victims and survivors of abuse show great strength and courage, but the included representatives of the clergy show self-interest and denial -- particularly O'Grady, who doesn't really show signs of remorse.

  • Violence:

    No violent images, per se, but many stories of sexual molestation demonstrate that this is violence against children; one victim angrily recalls where he was sodomized; one victim's father cries out and accuses priest of rape (as opposed to the euphemistic "inappropriate touching") -- his outburst is loud and upsetting.

  • Sex:

    Ongoing discussion of sexual activity, perversion, and abuse; interviewees (victims and their parents) recall child abuse by priest; priest describes his attraction to young children (in underwear and naked).

  • Language:

    Several (5 or so) uses of "f--k" (in anger); other occasional profanity ("s--t"); language describing sexual abuse (including "penis").

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional cigarette smoking during interviews.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Deliver Us from Evil

Parents need to know that this intense documentary isn't for kids. Focused on one priest's repeated abuse of children in Southern California during the 1970s and '80s, the film includes many disturbing descriptions and memories. During their emotional interviews, victims and family members use some explicit language. But perhaps more upsettingly, the priest, now retired, describes his past actions in passive language, as patchy memories; the smile on his face suggests that he isn't at all remorseful and remains unaware of the damage he's done.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the responsibility of the church in this ongoing scandal. How does the movie present the reasons for the cover-up? Interview subjects say that they can't forgive or forget such betrayal, by both O'Grady and the church hierarchy; how do you think people can deal with this sort of devastation? How does the film suggest that the two victims' journey to Rome was a start toward recovery?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    love-is-everythi ...
    Lives in West Virginia
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    no one should see this if their not over 23

    i read a few books about Child Abuse and my Mom barely let me read THEM! So i bet this movie is really inapropreate.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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