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Devil's Playground
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780794202880
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 0794202888
Label: Wellspring
Languages: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Manufacturer: Wellspring
MPN: D5349D
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Wellspring
Region Code: 1
Release Date: February 04, 2003
Running Time: 90 minutes
Studio: Wellspring
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
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Editorial Review:
This Sundance Festival sensation has attracted attention because of its jarring images of Amish kids immersed in debauchery: plain-dressed girls in white bonnets slugging back beers and flicking ashes from their cigarettes, boys passing out in the back of pickups after all-night parties, even Amish teens in bed together. But like a good drama, it's the characters themselves and their heartbreaking dilemma that linger in the mind. In the Amish vernacular, "Devil's Playground" refers to the "English" or outside world. The protected teens are suddenly thrust into this world upon their 16th birthday as they begin "Rumspringa," a period during which they decide whether to join the church as adults. Crystallizing this predicament is the 73-minute documentary's most compelling figure, 18-year-old Faron, a preacher's son fighting drug addiction. His earnest intent to return to the church and astonishing articulateness makes his misadventures in the drug underworld and penal system undeniably poignant. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Devil's Playground explores the Amish ritual of Rumspringa, a coming-of-age "time for decision" presented to Amish youth when they must decide which path they will follow as adults... 16th century religious scripture or 21st century pleasure. "Sensitive, revealing and at times heart-wrenching." --Ad Crable, Lancaster New Era
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Amish youth gone wild: sympathetic of sensationalistic? - must also watch with commentary
I suppose that I have a somewhat overidealized appreciation for the Amish, and when I first heard about this documentary I figured it was just a sensationalistic attempt at exploitation. I had no intention of watching it, but a few years later after reading Rumspringa, I finally decided to see what it was all about. I'll admit, the first time it really shocked me, and I considered it to be just what I had expected it to be. I watched it again several times, my feelings about it unchanged; after shelving ... Read More
Rating: - Party like it's 1699!
OK, I got the funnies out of my system with the review's title and now I'll deal with it seriously and see if I can relate the good and not-so-good aspects of this documentary. I'll likely not write anything that hasn't been written yet, but I'll try to do it succintly.
First the good points.
First, great idea for a documentary! Who doesn't find the Amish mysterious? What do we, who don't live near Amish communities, know about them other than maybe we saw the movie "Witness" ... Read More
Rating:  - A Superb Video
A great way to spend a rainy afternoon! I love the Amish...reading about them, watching them and visiting them. This is a great quality video for a fair price and the delivery is super fast too!
Rating: - Amish Youth On Rumspringa
This documentary explores the Amish ritual of Rumspringa. This is when Amish youth reach age 16 and are allowed to enter the "English world" and to experience all it's temptations such as drinking, drugs and sex.
The doc focuses on Faron, an Amish teen who's Rumpspringa experience has led him to become a meth addict who also deals drugs to pay for his habit. He gets busted but avoids jail time by turning evidence on some other local dealers. Obviously, this puts him in physical danger and he ... Read More
Rating: - Interesting documentary
"Devil's Playground" is about the rumspringa, a period in the life of Amish youth from 16 that lasts for months or years, when that youth can live as the "english" and experience life outside of the Amish culture. This documentary does a good job showing this surprising aspect of Amish life. "Devil's Playground" does not glamorize the life of the Amish, nor does it tear that life down; it simply tries to show it as it is. And you learn a few things - for example, I hadn't known that Amish kids have to ... Read More
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