Customer Reviews

Hell's Bells: The Dangers of Rock n Roll - Original Classic

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"Hell's Bells", named for the famous song by the AC-DC band,
is an expose of popular music from a Christian perspective,
in particular, an American "fundamentalist/evangelical"
Christian perspective.

It is a fascinating documentary both
for its content and its style as film art.

I have watched it several times
and will probably watch it again.
The video is a bit dated as its focus
is on the music that was popular
in the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
For an updated version, see Hell's Bell's II,
which is quite different and
also well worth multiple viewings.

Both videos condemn certain types of music
as being objectively evil and attempt to make
the case from the biblical Christian perspective.
Nothing new there.
What is great about this video is the blend of imagery,
sound and commentary and historical and philosophical perspectives.
It is very entertaining and interesting.

"Hell's Bells" is primarily aimed at those
who are attached to the music that it critiques,
presenting "something you need to know" when making music choices.

To produce a 6+ hour long documentary
that is never boring and holds up
to repeated viewings is no small feat.
This is Christian apologetic at its finest
and worth viewing regardless of personal belief.

It's no Showgirls, but it's right up there with Rockstar.

I'd actually like to credit this movie for offering up a wide range of music to experience when I stumbled into a viewing of it the school library when I was in grade school.

I watched it again for the first time in over a decade over the past winter and it was even better (I'm not sure if it was knowing more of the bands are being "under the influence"), but I'd watch it again next time I had friends over.

This the first series of documentary about music from former rock n roller Eric Holmberg from the Christian perspective. Most of the music featured are from the 60s, 70s and 80s era. It really open my mind to how music can be demonically inspired and its effect on people living in this world, with the current internet age, its much easier to get access to various kind of heavy metal music..Thanks Eric!

This is the most comprehensive, well documented video regarding the dangers of Rock and Roll. It goes through all the subtle messages that music is "preaching" to us. It also provides modern day alternatives to the "secular music" that is more pleasing lyric-wise and actually encourages teens instead of implying suicide, depression, etc.

After reading some of the reviews of this movie I am amused. Freedom of speech and religion are our rights. Anyone offended by this movie is certainly entitled to their opinion, just as those who enjoyed the movie and found it to reflect their own views. I found the movie extremely interesting. Understanding diversity comes through exploration and deciding what is right for you. I was not offended and I would recommend this movie. Anyone secure in their own beliefs will take the content accordingly. If you are unsure of your beliefs, you may be threatened or enlightened. Either way I am pleased to see it on the market. I support freedom of speech and religion.

it has all the great band of the 80 including Dio's heaven and hell. this is the video that turned me one to all the cool bands of the 80's

Paul, oh wise reviewer up there... "Tippa" Gore was barely a blip on the screen when this great video was produced. Plus, this video is about the spiritual implications behind much of the then current music... and while reading your review, the Scripture comes to mind "The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing..." Of course if one is not interested in the condition of their spiritual life, then this video is not for them...

While this video may be dated, the principles behind judging a work of art or mode of entertainment are timeless, and for Christians, it is essential to examine what they allow to influence their thinking patterns and their philosophy. To paraphrase one Scripture, How can two walk together unless they agree?

Would a capitalist regularly carry a handbook on Communism? Could a Christian grow spiritually from reading a porn article in Playboy magazine? No? Well, then why would anyone think that they would not be harmed spiritually from the music they consistently listen to for entertainment? When I drive past other churches (and on occasion when I am exiting my own church parking lot...) I have heard blaring from someone's car stereo songs about encouraging infidelity and premarital sex with multiple partners, drinking yourself into oblivion, breaking the law, killing people, etc.

My question to these people would be, what on earth are you doing? Do you not know that you cannot be friends with God and the world at the same time? It's like being married to a "non-white" and still attending the KKK meetings... Faith cannot be compartmentalized. Faith either effects and changes your whole life or nothing at all. True faith causes one to repent when truth is preached, and this reviewer finds herself repenting all the time.

As Christians, we are called to reflect the image of Christ, not the image of those who engage in sin and promote their lifestyle to the public as acceptable. We should be constantly growing and changing into the fullness of Christ. Hopefully this video will serve as a tool to help anyone who is truly searching for wisdom for their life to make a quality decision on the types of entertainment they allow into their home and heart. You are what you listen to. All you have to do is observe a person who manifests in their habits and manners that which their music or art exemplifies to see that it is true...

I saw this video back in the day... not too long after it came out. It completely changed the way I looked at (or listened to) music, art, philosophy, and almost everything else imaginable. I highly recommend this video and it's updated sister DVD, Hell's Bells 2: The Power and Spirit of Popular Music- New DVD 6 1/2 Hours. Both DVDs are available from the original Reel to Real Ministries producer, who is also the Founder and President of The Apologetics Group, here on Amazon. They will serve as great outreach tools for any ministry that wants to impact their church or their community with the Gospel of Christ.

Holmberg did an awesome job. Sven though the video is a bit dated today, the truths of God's Word will never change. I appreciate that Eric did more than just show us the evils in some music. But he showed why it matters. I am using the series to teach my youth group about the possible dangers of all music genres, and the value of focusing on good,pure thoughts and music.

I remember being shown this video back in grade school. I went to a private Catholic school, and the teachers thought it might keep kids from listening to metal when really it introduced me to some bands I have never heard before. People forget that kids love stuff that offends adults. Plus, some parts of the video are just laughable, like how Ozzy's "Crazy Train" killed a living plant, despite the fact the the song actually has a positive message. I would love to get my hands on this video years later just for sheer amusement. If you are a metal fan of any sort, this and "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" should be on your must watch list.

I think Christendom meant well for the flock with this documentary- but sadly it has turned more on to the 'wiles' of Rock than aided in deturing them.
Here's a fact that this series fails to address:

It's more complicated than the Christian faith wants to accept.

We denounce secular music and replace them with 'Christian' ones. I think Christians need to learn how to discern through the Spirit what music is against their faith and what is not. The approach of this series is decidedly that 'popular' music was designed by Lucifer and has NO redeemable value [Throw the baby out with the bathwater mentality. A prevalent Fundamentalist approach to controversey.] This is somewhat dishonest. Yes, unbelievers will sing of the 'world' but they can give insight to the ideas of the human condition as well. This is not a simple black and white issue. We can scare folks away from Rock, but fear is a temporal solution. Homer's Odyssey is rooted in paganism, but speaks of the journey of the human condition. (Is this garbage???) CS Lewis uses pagan satyrs and centaurs in the Narnia books (is this garbage??) CCM lovers have some questions to ask too. I believe it comes down to the spiritual journey of a Christian and less upon the issue of musical style, works and artists. I will choose through the Spirit to listen to my music. Shall it be Handel or Beethoven? Nightwish or Xandria? Petra or Motley Crue? John Williams or Hans Zimmer? The choice comes down to the Spiritual conviction - not the prescription of the masses.