Watch God's Angry Man

In 1981, acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog directed the documentary God's Angry Man, which chronicles the life and career of Gene Scott, a controversial televangelist known for his fiery preaching style and unorthodox fundraising methods. The film opens with footage of Scott delivering one of his sermons, which is characterized by his loud, raspy voice and animated gestures. He preaches about the importance of spreading the gospel and rails against secularism and other perceived threats to Christianity.

From there, the film delves into Scott's background and his rise to fame as a televangelist. Born in Texas in 1929, Scott had an early interest in religion and became a Baptist minister in the 1950s. He eventually branched out into radio broadcasting and then television, where he gained a large following with his late-night program, "The Dr. Gene Scott Show."

Throughout the film, Herzog uses footage from Scott's show to illustrate his preaching style and to show the various ways he elicited funds from his viewers. One of his more controversial methods was to interrupt his sermons with appeals for money, promising that donations would help keep the show on the air.

Scott's fundraising tactics were one of the reasons why he attracted so much attention from the media and from regulatory agencies. The film shows footage of a hearing before the Federal Communications Commission where Scott defended his fundraising practices against charges of fraud and abuse.

Despite the controversy surrounding him, Scott remained popular with his followers, who saw him as a charismatic and inspirational figure. The film includes interviews with several of his supporters, who talk about how his message of faith and personal responsibility helped them through difficult times.

Throughout the film, Herzog also highlights the contradictions in Scott's life and philosophy. For instance, while Scott preached about the evils of secularism, he was also a lover of classical music and art, and regularly used these subjects as part of his sermons.

Similarly, while he preached about the importance of financial stewardship and avoiding debt, he was also known for his lavish lifestyle and expensive tastes.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Scott's fame and influence have taken a toll on his personal life. He is shown drinking heavily and engaging in heated arguments with his staff and family members. The film culminates with Scott delivering an emotional sermon about his own mortality, in which he confesses his fears and regrets.

God's Angry Man is a fascinating look at a complex and controversial figure, and Herzog handles the subject matter with his trademark sensitivity and insight. The film is a testament to the power of faith and the complex intersection between spirituality and popular culture.

God's Angry Man is a 1980 documentary with a runtime of 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.