After extensive wrangling, Alex Gibney’s documentary, based on the 2013 book by Lawrence Wright, is released in a limited number of United Kingdom cinemas. It has been shown already on United States television by HBO. No current member of the Church of Scientology appears as interviewee in the film. Instead, at various points, inserted graphics indicate the Church’s position on various statements or allegations. Broadly, these statements are dismissive, casting doubt on the methods of the documentary makers and expressing doubt about the veracity of testimonies from disaffected executives. Gibney’s chief witnesses include the Hollywood scriptwriter and director, Paul Haggis – an Oscar winner for Crash – as well as two men who were once eloquent advocates and