A man claims he can cure anything. Thousands believe him. The state tries to stop him. Who's crazy now?
In 1949 one name dominates the headlines: Bruno Gröning. Newspapers print special editions, radio and newsreels report about him. A film is made. Wherever he goes, thousands of people throng from all over to see him. Gröning becomes an international sensation. Most of those who come to him are not fans or followers. They are sick people. Beaten down by war, given up on by doctors, these people had only one wish: to become healthy, free from suffering and pain. They want Bruno Gröning to help them. And he does help them. “There is no incurable‒ God is the greatest physician!” Those are his words. And the inconceivable happens. The documentary film “The Phenomenon Bruno Gröning” traces the dramatic events of that time with original film and sound recordings, archival material, more than 50 eyewitness interviews, as well elaborate film re-enactments. Gröning died in 1959 but extraordinary healings are still occurring today.
Direction
Busse lets witnesses speak without mockery—rare for miracle docs
Production
Painstaking archival reconstruction across three epic parts
Director
Thomas Busse
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Gröning was prosecuted under laws originally designed to target quackery during the Nazi era, creating eerie parallels between state control then and now.
The 285-minute runtime deliberately mirrors the epic scale of post-war German 'Heimatfilme,' but replaces nostalgia with unresolved spiritual crisis.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
DE
