Initial release 1 August 1989 (USA) Producer Eric Holmberg | Director Eric Holmberg Cinematography Erik Hollander | |
 | ||
Directed by Erik HollanderEric Holmberg Produced by Erik HollanderEric Holmberg Written by Eric HolmbergMark HolmbergSteve IsaacW. Roy McIndoesRobert Waliszewski Edited by Erik HollanderJames GeletAngela Potthoff Productioncompany American Portrait Films Distributed by Art of The Covenant (1989, USA, VHS) Similar Hell's Belles, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmma, Family Jewels, Celebration Day, AC/DC: Let There Be Rock | ||
Hell's Bells: The Dangers of Rock 'N' Roll is a 1989 Christian documentary film produced and directed by Eric Holmberg, founder of Reel to Real Ministries and The Apologetics Group. Holmberg also produced and directed its sequel, Hell's Bells 2 - The Power and Spirit of Popular Music (2004).
Contents
Overview
The film examines the relationship of rock music to sex, violence, suicide, drug use, rebellion, miscegenation, the occult, and other activities considered immoral by biblical theology. The film portrays various lyrics and visual imagery in rock music and rock stars as evidence that it is satanic or anti-Christian. It also alleges that perceived hidden messages and satanic backmasking exist in several examples of popular songs and music culture. The music in the documentary is music produced prior to the 1990s.
Reception
Christian Film Guide referred to the film as a "classic documentary on rock music and its roots and influences." Pitchfork Media also reviewed the film, saying that they did see where the film had aged since it was filmed and had multiple factual errors, but that it also "introduced thousands of viewers to Venom, Mercyful Fate, and Diamanda Galas--artists your standard youth group would never have heard otherwise."