Reviewed by Melissa Antoinette Garza
I had never heard of this documentary before but it was on Netflix: Instant Watch and the synopsis seemed interesting enough. I have seen many programs about Satanism, some pro and many against. Most were compelling works pushing whichever side of the religious spectrum they sat upon.
Throughout my teenage years, the Satanic Bible and the philosophy of Anton Szandor LaVey helped me through a lot of hard times. It was before I knew about Friedrich Neitzsche and even if I had, I was probably too young to understand many of his concepts. LaVey offered a more simplistic view of Neitzsche’s work. It was easy to understand and easy to gravitate to.
Satanism is the celebration of the outcast or the black sheep. It encourages creativity and the belief in oneself over any deity. Though I am no longer into the works of LaVey as much as I once was, I still think his philosophy of life has some real value. It isn’t nor has it ever been the worship of any God or anti-God.
Where I am in my life now, I would like to think that a loving and caring God exists. I choose to think that the creator is understanding and as a thinking being encourages different types of thoughts. I have difficulty believing in the conventional Christian lord referred to in the Bible. That said, I work with several religious people and three different co-workers have approached me at different times to tell me that God loves me. One has stated that God spoke to him and that he was sent there to show me the way. All three are marvelous people and though I disagree with some of their beliefs, I always appreciate someone thinking positively of me in such a way that they take the time out of their day to pray for me.
Many of the reviews on Netflix of this documentary called in religious propaganda. I was expecting something the likes of the 700 Club or that of a Kirk Cameron film. Instead, I found a documentary that though flat in some areas, I found that it did several things that religious propaganda doesn’t.
It gave a fair portrayal of Satanism. It interviewed a member of the Church of Satan who had the opportunity to explain that they do not worship Satan but instead are merely the opposite of organized religion.
It discussed atrocities that the church committed and detailed witch trials.
Now, that said. There was bias to the production. It was a stated bias but it was certainly of the belief of God and the devil.
The issue I found with it is that the evidence brought forth to prove that the spawn of Satan walks the earth was a little hokey. The way in which it was presented was interesting but it really didn’t make that much sense.
Essentially, their belief is that the worst members of society and people who commit the most heinous acts were conceived on satanic holidays thus proving that they were the sons and daughters of the devil.
Now, there is something inside of me that is drawn to cases involving serial killers and cannibals. I like to delve into the events that occurred to determine if they’re evil, crazy, or a little of both.
There are very few that I’ve ever felt any sympathy towards. The only one I can even think of is Ed Gein. I truly believe he was just severely off his rocker. He definitely needed to be kept away from society but he was unlike the cases shown in 666: Revelation.
Albert Fish, for example, was certainly disturbed but was also one of the most evil individuals to ever have lived. People like him are the reason that I have a difficult time determining whether I’m for or against the death penalty. He inserted long pins in his penis and loved enduring and perpetrating physical pain. He molested and killed young girls. He actually admitted to molesting over 400 children. He dismembered, cooked and ate his last victim who was merely 10 years old. If that weren’t awful enough he then sent the parents of the girl a letter describing in detail what he did.
A case that I didn’t know about was that of Fred and Rosemary West. The duo committed several murders and sexually assaulted young girls. In 1994, they had their children taken away from them. It was then that the police realized that their 16 year old daughter was missing. Well, they killed her. They murdered their own daughter and buried her under the patio. Later it came out that Fred had molested his own daughter. Rosemary assisted him in most murders and even committed some herself.
These two are the embodiment of evil. Fred ended up committing suicide awaiting trial and Rosemary still sits in jail.
There’s actually a film called Appropriate Adult. It was a mini-series that has been released on DVD. It looks like a very interesting film that I look forward to seeing. In the United Kingdom, someone who is considered vulnerable has the right for an uninvolved adult to be with them during the police questioning.
Appropriate Adult follows Janet Leach, the individual appointed to Fred West. This was a highly controversial film as Leach’s children were against it. Leach and West formed an unusually close bond that impacted her family and the memories still have an effect.
666: Revelation is an interesting documentary though it’s very scattered. Half is a history lesson on religion and the rest is a true crime TV show.
Scared Stiff Rating: 5/10
