In the sub-genre of 70's trash cinema that I affectionately think of as "pseudo-science" documentaries, The Miracle Healers is only an above average entry. In what seems to be an attempt to make a documentary for cheap. Footage of Roscoe Brown stiffly delivering his lines is interspersed with archival footage that the production crew managed to acquire. Former patients of these hucksters are also interviewed (not by Roscoe, this once again appears to be purchased footage) and they offer up their stories that seem particularly tragic given that these miracle healers are almost always proven to be frauds.
Some of the archival footage is interesting Kathryn Kuhlman showcases her gift of gab, offering an example of why she was so successful as a faith healer. Other archival footage subjects, like so many other cult leaders, offer textbook examples of people who are likely grooming future victims. But the true gem of this documentary is the archival footage{Note1} of Jim Jones preaching at the People's Temple, who is used as a shining example of what the future of miracle healing may hold. In this footage we get to see Jones preaching while and healing people from afar while his plants in the crowd work the real magic in order to make the whole production come to life.
Sadly, this is not the focus of the documentary and it seems like Como decided to just grab whatever random footage he could find. While some of it provides some interest (a couple of psychic surgery clips are shown) others (a snake slithering in the sand, two hippies walking around the woods talking) offer far less entertainment value. Overall I'd suggest watching it if you are into 1970's pseudoscience documentaries or are interested in watching Kuhlman or Jones operate but it is by no means a paragon of this delightful sub-genre.
Note1: This is likely not footage from 1976 as Jim Jones is showing none of the signs of degradation (resulting from his drug habits) that he was reportedly suffering at this point in his career.
Some of the archival footage is interesting Kathryn Kuhlman showcases her gift of gab, offering an example of why she was so successful as a faith healer. Other archival footage subjects, like so many other cult leaders, offer textbook examples of people who are likely grooming future victims. But the true gem of this documentary is the archival footage{Note1} of Jim Jones preaching at the People's Temple, who is used as a shining example of what the future of miracle healing may hold. In this footage we get to see Jones preaching while and healing people from afar while his plants in the crowd work the real magic in order to make the whole production come to life.
Sadly, this is not the focus of the documentary and it seems like Como decided to just grab whatever random footage he could find. While some of it provides some interest (a couple of psychic surgery clips are shown) others (a snake slithering in the sand, two hippies walking around the woods talking) offer far less entertainment value. Overall I'd suggest watching it if you are into 1970's pseudoscience documentaries or are interested in watching Kuhlman or Jones operate but it is by no means a paragon of this delightful sub-genre.
Note1: This is likely not footage from 1976 as Jim Jones is showing none of the signs of degradation (resulting from his drug habits) that he was reportedly suffering at this point in his career.
