Raise the Dead

In many parts of the Bible belt, scripture is taken literally, and demons--whether spiritual (Satan's minions) or secular (breast cancer)--are regularly driven out by itinerant evangelical preachers who still pitch their tents in America's small towns and lay hands upon the afflicted. James Rutenbeck's respectful behind-the-big-curtain snapshot of tent ministry in rural Appalachia focuses, in particular, on a contrasting pair of old school/new school preachers who often appear together: H. Richard Hall, who's been preaching for over half a century, and relative newcomer Mike Feree, who sometimes comes across as more interested in tent size and assuming the reins of power, than in saving souls. In addition, the video looks at the ministry of Eula Shelton, who started attending Brother Hall's meetings in the 1950s, and now has her own small congregation. In marked difference to the flamboyant televangelists associated in most people's minds with fundamentalist Christian life, the subjects of Raise the Dead, while neither shy about faith healing nor speaking in tongues (title notwithstanding, they do not perform The Full Lazarus), seem refreshingly media indifferent. Unfortunately, while the subject matter would be of general interest, the price pretty much relegates this interesting documentary into the highly specialized academic category. Recommended for those who can afford it. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)