Review: Huie’s Sermon (1981)
Huie’s Sermon is almost entirely comprised of footage from a single sermon at the Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ church in Brooklyn. Apart from the closing shot of Bishop Huie, the film is entirely faithful to the observational form – it contains only two judiciously placed cutaways which show us the deserted ghetto slumland outside.
Huie’s uncut oratory about societal decay, war and economics eventually climaxes into rousing pentencostal song, chorused by the entirely black congregation who, at Huie’s charismatic behest, “step to Jesus”. It all gets a very Sexual Chocolate.
Huie’s message, while being somewhat progressive, also smacks of Christian conservatism as he sweats out moral guidelines denouncing everything from homosexuality to pollution.
While not exemplary of his usual style, Huie’s Sermon exhibits many traits of the classic old school Herzog style.
Titicut Rating: 3.5 / 5
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