Devil's Playground (2002)

The soundtrack was awesome, and if you like trance music, you will want to get the music in this film. This was real life, no staging here. I was shocked, and never knew that the Amish teens did such a thing. I think it was a cool film, and it was interesting to note that 90% of all the Amish kids, go into the faith in the end. Train up a child in the way they should go, and in the end, they will not depart from it. That is a scripture that is so true. I highly recommend this movie to anyone, to become more educated about the Amish. I really think that they are a mysterious people and we could all learn from them. I am amazed that I find really unique music in movies and not on the radio. Like I said, it is worth the viewing.

*May be spoilers, read at your own risk*This documentary was a very real look into what Amish teens go through trying to decide if they want to become "English," the Amish term for people who live in the modern way of life or joining their families in the Amish faith, which is very oppressive. The parents allow their children to smoke, take drugs, drink, listen to music, drive cars (just the boys) and wear "English" clothes, starting at age 16 until they decide if they want to be with their families or be in the outside world. They live in a half English/ Amish state during this time.It is a right of passage that is used to show them how bad the outside world is. With an 8th grade education and lack of work experience (the boys at least work outside the home, most girls don't even have outside work experience,) it is hard for these teens not to get into trouble and that is the main reason they return. No wonder the Amish consider the outside world to be sinful, they haven't given their children the education to check out a college, library or museum, or even to understand what a city is, so no wonder they party. They seem to have no other choice but to sit and play video games all day. I grew up in this area and have seen this ritual first hand. I had to laugh when a read a critique here that said the girl who was dating Farron, who is the main character of the piece, couldn't be Amish. Don't they realize that the first thing a girl is going to do who wants to wear English clothing (which is a rare case, since most girls don't wear English clothing, but most boys do) is to go to the tanning salon? Tanning is a big deal where I grew up in Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. Believe me, being pale myself, I got a lot of teasing due to my light skin. If they want to conform to other teens, of course they are going to tan themselves to a golden glow. Plus, Germans aren't all blonde and blue eyed. It isn't like the village in the Children of the Damned! There are brown eyed Dutch and Germans with non-fair coloring. Plus some people bring their non-Amish boyfriends and girlfriends into the flock. Statements like that can be very ignorant and take away from how informative this documentary is. I wasn't listening to the music at all, I was listening to information about the Amish, which is what this documentary gives you. I also learned that there are some Amish people living in Flordia, so a tan would happen to anyone there who would be out in the sun working. I am amazed that they would even live there. Seems a contradiction in terms, but as you watch this film, you will see that the Amish have a lot of ideas like these. The DVD is even better, because the commentary gives you many insights and stories not included in this documentary. The producers of this had about 300 hours of interviews, so I am sure editing was a chore! They did show a few girls and a boy who left and several who had stayed, or though undecided, would probably join the church in the future. There is one story of a girl who decided after she joined the church that she didn't want to get married so she was shunned by the community like a modern day Scarlet Letter story. The Amish practice shunning when someone breaks the pact of the church or leaves the community. I felt very bad for her. But overall, despite not being able to see her family or friends, she seems to have made the right choice for herself, because she wants to be free and go to college. It is heartbreaking to see though, especially when you have grown up in the area and see it firsthand. It is a shame though that most of the Amish kids only see Wal-mart and drinking as the outside world. They seem to not understand it is a place where there is much beauty and pleasure and it is a place where you can educate yourself. I would think God would let them better themselves and still live a Christian life. I know think the world was meant to be a closed place where the outside world is known as the Devil's Playground.

I just watched this film in my college Adolescent Development class today, and it was fascinating. It gave me this whole new perspective on the Amish culture. I don't live in Amish Country, but Amish Country is right outside the city I live in, and you alwasy see Amish buggies at Wal Mart. Now its like, if I see some kids partying and stuff, it's makes ya wonder if they're the Amish during their transition. It is really sad though, that if they choose not to join or leave the community they're shunned and forgotten, even by family. And the boy Faron...I just wonder what he's doing now...if he's still in Florida, if he's moved back with his family and joined the Amish church. Anyway, good documentary...very interesting and captivating. I suggest seeing this film and learning more about the Amish youth...I think you'll be intriging!

I never knew about 'Rumspringn', and i have always loved the Amish culture. After seeing this documentary, i often wonder if i'm running into Amish guys in the malls and other places. I no longer wish to be Amish. But the thing that does stand out to me is how receptive the Amish church is to the kids that come back. I mean you've got all these other 'Christian' religions that shun people when they've sined and want to come back. but the Amish tell the kids, as long as you stop doing what you've been doing, you're not only welcomed back, but loved and accepted. THAT is how its supposed to be.I hope they maybe follow up to it and find out how everyone is doing.