Press reviews, Germany:
"Balance", dated 2/2004

"Packed cinemas, enthusiastic audiences, the first healings"

"The Bruno Groening Phenomenon"

A special kind of documentary film – showing since October 3, 2003

The many thousands of people stand silently looking up toward the balcony of the large manor house, hanging on the words of the man who has for many become the last hope. The "miracle doctor", as they call him, looks calmly at the crowd, speaking without emotion. Suddenly there is a scream. "I can see again!" Everyone turns around to stare unbelievingly at the person. He looks with amazement at his hands and then at those around him, crying out again and again, "I can see again, I can see again!" And then there are scenes that have never been seen before in our times. The sick get up from their stretchers, the lame throw away their crutches and can walk. More and more healings are announced with cries of gratitude. Then the crowd sings with tear-filled eyes and trembling voices, "Great God, we praise Thee".

An army of the wretched

That is how the first part of the documentary film "The Bruno Groening Phenomenon-on the track of the "miracle healer" comes to an end. It is certainly one of the most impressive scenes of the film, but such happenings occurred again and again during Groening’s lifetime. 

In 1949 thousands, tens of thousands of people flocked to his gatherings. An army of the wretched-of the sick and suffering-began to move. Beaten down by war, given up by the doctors, these people had only one desire-to become well, free from misery and pain. Bruno Groening was supposed to be able to help them.

"There is no such thing as 'incurable’-God is the greatest Physician!" were his words. And the incredible happened-countless sick people became well; the lame could walk, the blind could see again.

"The Bruno Groening Phenomenon" describes the dramatic events of that time, following the traces of this unusual man. The film throws light on the various stations in the life and work of Bruno Groening in an open, objective and sensitive manner.

More than 70 hours of film material were shot and over 80 eyewitness interviews were conducted. Almost five hours long, it is divided into three parts. Newsreel reports, original documents and excerpts from television programs, as well as elaborate feature film scenes with as many as 2,000 extras make the film an impressive experience for audiences.

Deeply moved

A viewer from Austria, for example, said, "The film and the fate of Bruno Groening moved me deeply. The film is of excellent quality and obviously lets the facts speak for themselves". Another viewer reports, "Having been made aware of it, I assumed an open posture during the film presentation and actually did perceive a tingling sensation the whole time, first in my hands then in my whole body. I felt a tugging in the painful parts of my body and had a feeling as if my body was achieving a certain balance. I had double-sided scoliosis and therefore pain in the lumbar spine. But no more. I was deeply moved by this film. Even now I still let the healing energy flow through me. In any case, I will recommend the film to others."

Healings at the cinema

The Bruno Groening Circle of Friends keeps the legacy of the one-time "miracle man" alive. Even today healings are still occurring. This is astonishing, since Groening died in 1959. But people who follow his teachings experience the same things as the people in Bruno Groening’s lifetime: illnesses, pain and suffering vanish. Under the auspices of a "Medical Scientific Group" (MWF) even doctors and professors concern themselves with this phenomenon.

But with the documentary film the whole thing has taken on a new quality. Healings have occurred from the mere watching of the film. It is incredible. Yet numerous reports are already available. In Kassel alone five healings are supposed to have taken place during two presentations. At present the physicians of the MWF are working at top speed to examine and document these reports.

Groening’s thorny path

When Bruno Groening became known in March, 1949 in Herford thousands of people flocked to him within a period of a few days. If was as if many of them had just been waiting for a healer to come and alleviate their misery. But soon opposing forces began to stir: many doctors regarded the happenings critically. Slanderous statements were circulated. The press had its sensation. The authorities intervened. He was accused of violation of the Healing Practitioner Law, the first time in Herford in May, 1949 and the last time on January 22, 1959 before the Bavarian Supreme Court in Munich four days before he died. In between were over nine years of hard battles and miraculous healings. 

Just as relevant today as back then

The film, which was researched with great care and in production for nine years, is intended to bring the events of that time back into the public consciousness. It enlightens, offers background information and provides profound insights into the teachings and the concerns of Bruno Groening-just as relevant today as back then.

Voices of eyewitnesses:

"For me there was no doubt that powers came from him that healed people." Dr. Hermann Kunst, Bishop and Authorized Representative of the Council of the Protestant Church in the Federal Republic of Germany.

"Groening is a unique phenomenon that cannot be classified in any psychotherapeutic or psychological school. I think he was a deeply religious person-a modest, believable, good-natured, helpful man." Helmut Kindler, Publisher

"In Bruno Groening I knew a person whose being knew only one thing, appeared to be on this earth for one reason only: to help lead people back to faith so that they could be freed from their complaints, often of long years’ duration, often incurable." Anni, Baroness Ebner von Eschenbach.