the power of the material overcomes flaws in presentation
Comment
11/09/08
Pray the Devil Back to Hell (2008)
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Reviews Counted:34
Fresh:34
Rotten:0
Average Rating:7.8/10
Consensus: This political documentary about protests during the Liberian Civil War is an uplifting celebration of the capacity of everyday people to affect great change.
Runtime: 72 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Synopsis: History has many unacknowledged heroes and this documentary examines a group of women who fought for peace in Liberia, campaigning to end the country's devastating civil war. Crossing religious and... [More]
Director: Gini Reticker
Reviews for Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Inevitably, Reticker's style falls into monotony that works against the material. Ultimately, though, the power of that material overcomes flaws in presentation.
11/13/08
Offers an inspiring portrait of conscientious citizens working to make a change. Yes they can, indeed.
11/12/08
The stirring and hopeful account of Liberian women who as creative and nonviolent activists brought peace to their country in 2003.
11/02/08
An object lesson in interfaith cooperation and an instructional manual for people committed to making systemic political change through nonviolent means.
02/27/09
This illuminating film by director Gini Reticker and producer Abigail Disney is a much-needed attempt to put the spotlight on a moment of history that still inspires.
12/12/08
Uplifting, disheartening, inspiring, enraging -- the mind reels while watching the documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell.
11/07/08
Top CriticIf nothing else, Pray the Devil Back to Hell is a potent reminder of what power in numbers can accomplish.
11/06/08
The special effectiveness of women is the theme of director Gini Reticker's film, but there is a remarkable lack of moralizing and grandstanding here.
11/07/08
The film shows that the women's peace movement, propelled by ordinary citizens, changed what was possible in Liberia.
11/14/08
Gini Reticker's simply made, affecting documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell reveals how these heroic ordinary women prodded the factions to peace and literally brought down Taylor, a leader of sociopathic cruelty.
11/05/08
Pray the Devil remembers the golden rule of moviemaking -- rather than tell, it shows, and what it shows is quietly affecting.
11/05/08
Some political documentaries suffer from overselling the urgency of their agenda, but director Gini Reticker's Pray the Devil Back to Hell nicely underplays the significance of its subject.
11/13/08
Limitations aside, it's highly stirring stuff.
01/16/09
It's an outstanding story, which makes up for Pray's moviemaking deficiencies.
02/27/09
The film is brief and not especially creative in its storytelling, but nonetheless unforgettable; this remarkable story deserved to be captured on film.
02/05/09
Inspiring story, through vivid memories and supporting footage, of how one of Africa's worst and longest civil wars was ended by determined women working together
11/07/08
Winner of the Best Documentary award at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.
11/10/08
A simple and inspiring story told through the medium of film. But for what it is, it definitely gets the job done.
11/07/08
Without their guns, the men prove surprisingly helpless. And when a [mediator] tells them that if they want the women to stop treating them like children, they must behave responsibly, you sense a corner has been turned.
11/07/08
Latest News for Pray the Devil Back to Hell
November 19, 2008:
A Closer Look at Oscar's Documentary Contenders 
With awards season just around the corner, it's time to start handicapping the various Oscar races -- and the Los Angeles Times has kicked things off with a look at the 15... More...
November 04, 2008:
A glorious tribute to a bi-partisan sisterhood of Christian and Muslim women fed up with having to raise their children amidst the incessant slaughter, raping and looting of the Liberian civil war.
More...
October 20, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review
More...
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