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Scout's Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America

Original title: Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America
  • 2023
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Scout's Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America (2023)
Survivors and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decadeslong cover-up of abuse cases and its impact.
Play trailer2:13
1 Video
11 Photos
CrimeDocumentary

Survivors, whistle-blowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decades long cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.Survivors, whistle-blowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decades long cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.Survivors, whistle-blowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decades long cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.

  • Director
    • Brian Knappenberger
  • Stars
    • Michael Johnson
    • Patrick Boyle
    • Christopher Hurley
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Brian Knappenberger
    • Stars
      • Michael Johnson
      • Patrick Boyle
      • Christopher Hurley
    • 17User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

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    Trailer 2:13
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    Photos10

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    Top cast37

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    Michael Johnson
    Michael Johnson
    • Self - Youth Protection Director, Boy Scouts of America 2010 - 2020
    Patrick Boyle
    Patrick Boyle
    • Self - Journalist & Author, Scout's Honor
    Christopher Hurley
    Christopher Hurley
    • Self - Attorney, Deposed Thomas Hacker
    Mark Eaton
    Mark Eaton
    • Self - Survivor, Thomas Hacker Trial 1988
    Doug Kennedy
    Doug Kennedy
    • Self - Boy Scout & Boy Scout Parent 1971 - 2018
    Christopher Haywood
    Christopher Haywood
    • Self - Boy Scout 1993 - 2004
    Tom Krumins
    Tom Krumins
    • Self - Boy Scout 2001 - 2012
    Steven McGowan
    Steven McGowan
    • Self - BSA General Counsel 2013 - 2022
    Richard Windmann
    Richard Windmann
    • Self - Boy Scout 1972 - 1976
    Richard Schultz
    Richard Schultz
    • Self - Boy Scott 1969-1980
    Jon Conte
    Jon Conte
    • Self - Founding President, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
    • (as Dr. Jon R. Conte)
    Randall Hoenig
    Randall Hoenig
    • Self - Former Executive Director Wichita Falls, TX Chapter
    Kathryn Robb
    Kathryn Robb
    • Self - Executive Director CHILD USAdvocacy
    Drew Tessier
    Drew Tessier
    • Self - Boy Scout 1989 - 1997
    Paul Mones
    Paul Mones
    • Self - Attorney for Kerry Lewis
    Tim Kosnoff
    Tim Kosnoff
    • Self - BSA Survivor's Attorney
    Marci Hamilton
    Marci Hamilton
    • Self - CEO, Child USA
    Michael Pfau
    Michael Pfau
    • Self - BSA Survivor's Attorney
    • (as Michael T. Pfau)
    • Director
      • Brian Knappenberger
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.02.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10vbbeeson

    This needs to be seen!

    As someone who was a scout for nearly two decades, this tore my heart apart. I was a camp counselor, Vigil member of our honor's society, and an assistant scoutmaster for my home troop, so when I watched this documentary, I couldn't help but to put myself in the shoes of these victims, and it was sickening to see the complete lack of consideration of the safety of children in this program.

    As long as scouting is treated more like a business than a service to our young people, these horrific things will continue to happen. There are absolutely 0 excuses that can make this alright. I hate to see people saying "this kind of stuff happens everywhere" as if that makes the complete lack of national oversight acceptable. This documentary perfectly captures how this organization values money over safety for the kids that make the organization what it is.

    I cannot begin to express how important it is to see this film in its' entirety. It is difficult to watch, but these stories deserve to be heard, not just by current and former scouts, but also by the general public.

    I am so grateful for the victims who bravely stepped forward to tell their stories, and for the filmmakers who gave them a platform to be heard.

    This documentary is not about "destroying the boy scouts" it is a call to action for meaningful change so that future scouts do not have to experience the same horrendous treatment at the hands of adults who were supposed to protect them.

    If you are on the fence about watching this documentary, I implore you to watch every minute of it. Unfortunately, I think the only way that we will see real change in the organization is if their bottom line is affected, and the only way that can happen is if enough people start making their voices heard.

    I hope to see a second part to this documentary, because I think there are still a lot more stories to tell from the inside of this organization, and this film only scratches the surface.
    10idreamofidee

    Essential viewing

    This is a crucial watch for everyone, and probably a good argument to encourage Netflix to create a free catalogue, where they make their most important and informative documentaries available for public access.

    If there is a child in your life you care about and if you want to understand how pervasive abuse is, then please watch Scout's Honour. It is an especially vital watch for parent/carers to boys, so that we can better understand what stops boys and men from reporting their abuse. There was a lot of harrowing testimony - that detailed how boys were targeted, the impact abuse had on their lives and how they were rendered silence by what happened to them.

    I could write an essay as to what makes this programme essential, but please just watch it. I cried often, and I am also glad a man like Detective Michael Johnson exists. I am also very proud of the men who shared their experiences with us, they are helping a lot of other children and adults by doing this.
    6slzuern

    Heartbreaking for victims but BSA was not all bad!

    First of all I am appalled by the abuse showed in this documentary. As a parent of a Boy Scout and a group leader and friend of many leaders please let the public realize that not all groups or leaders were involved in criminal abuse of children. This makes me so sad! I believe that every organization has good and bad people involved and in my experience I never saw any abuse. There was much good done and is still being done by this group. While I would never defend the terrible things that did happen please recognize the good done by BSA. Please show the good along with the horrible! There are a lot of good leaders still!
    8Sleepin_Dragon

    A powerful drama, but genuinely stomach turning.

    A powerful ninety minute documentary detailing the systemic abuse and subsequent cover ups that went on for decades inside the scouts.

    I watched this from the point of view of being a boy scout many years back, a time for me which was one of learning, socialising and fun, you can only imagine the horrors faced by these men.

    Some incredibly powerful testimonies from victims, and input from those that were involved in The Scouts also, several conflicts in accounts, very interesting.

    If you're able to get through this without sobbing, feeling shocked, or feeling positively sick in your stomach, then I'd argue that something is maybe a little wrong.

    It's well made, but one criticism I have, is the deliberate attempt to add a bit of antagonism between to of the interviewees, I didn't think it was necessary given the harrowing topic.

    It's an outrageous story, genuinely sickening, it makes you wonder how many other organisations were as rotten at their core.

    8/10.
    6li0904426

    Again In the name of HONOR!!!!

    The movie "Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America" is a documentary that deals with unsettling allegations of sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The documentary provides a platform for survivors to share their harrowing experiences. Very similar to the documentary "Procession", which explores sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, the director, in this case, Brian Knappenberger embarks on a journey to interview lawyers, journalists, victims of sexual abuse within the Scouts, and senior leaders of the Scouts. This is done to construct a comprehensive view of the decades-long sexual abuse perpetrated against young Boy Scouts.

    The most alarming aspect is that the leadership of The Boy Scouts of America was reportedly aware of all the cases. Yet, they seemingly prioritized financial power and chose to "sweep the issues under the carpet". This raises serious questions about the organization's commitment to the safety and well-being of its members.

    At times, the documentary tends to be sensational, with a significant number of interviews with young boys who have suffered molestation. There's a sense of an unfinished task. It gives the impression that the movie may not have fully delved into the issues it aimed to tackle.

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    FAQ13

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 6, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • İzci Sözü: Amerikan İzci Teşkilatının Kirli Dosyaları
    • Production companies
      • Insight Film
      • Luminant Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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