33 & Beyond: The Royal Art of Freemasonry

It really does appear as a straight up documentary. It is well crafted, too--beautifully shot and edited, wonderful graphics and, well-- brilliantly casted? Johnny Royal himself plays a freemason named Johnny Royal, although his appearance is that of a hard core rocker. Other actors are wonderfully childlike, nerdy and pompous in their roles as freemasons. All I could think of was neighborhood kids having their own "secret society" club--with an endless parade of goofy costumes, hats, accessories--and handshakes! These truly are kids, but absurdly playing "freemason" in adult bodies. As they go up from various degrees, reading endless literature, acquiring plaques, swords, rings, amulets, badges, necklaces, hats, rituals, etc. In an unending search for god, they could actually suffocate in symbolism! Meanwhile, they are deceived into thinking they are going somewhere. It must be really expensive, financially and time wise, to keep up with all the costumes, jewelry, accessories, meetings, chants and ascended, enlightened Mumbo Jumbo. Jesus Christ Himself, the Name above ALL names, actually comes in as #21 degree. Pretty good, eh? I wonder if He thinks this nonsense as funny as I do. So--enjoy! Marvelous, understated performances with a brilliant script. Sort of a restrained "Spinal Tap" satire of men's fraternal organizations. A wonderful work of art with much to learn about how a man can waste his life.

Johnny Roayl's 33 & Beyond: The Royal Art of Freemasonry pulls the veil aside, allowing everyone without, look within and the same, for those in the craft, a better understanding what only a select few understand.

Freemasonry has an ancient saying, "you get out of it, what you put into it." Most people never really understand the requirements and commitments, unless they too came from a family of Masons. There is so much work, memorization, learning that goes into your Blue Lodge degrees. Every young Mason should watch this film, as it is an eye-opener. I would say, of all the people interviewed here, I know 98% of them personally and their characters. I wish this were thought of and done years before. When some of the more stalwart older Masons, that have long since passed away. That their stories from a different time (most of them were from the greatest generation) could have been captured, in a similar forum.

This documentary is done in a unique fashion of storytelling. The visual actors on the stage are seen, but you never "see" anything spoken as they act out what is being described to you. The interviews are fascinating, as they range from Past Grand Masters of California to Master Masons alike.

As documentaries go, this truly is one of the most beautifully crafted films you'll ever see on the subject. Available in media and streaming. Makes a lovely gift for any Freemason, regardless of their age!

In the travels of life it is hard to express your joy in something you cant necessarily share with anyone. This film is a great representation.

This isn't really a documentary revealing the history of freemasonry. It's a lot of interviews with freemasons, and it feels more like a promotional piece. It's overall pretty boring.

Yup, it's boring. But ask yourself why is that? The answer is that Freemasonry isn't for everyone, quite many people would find it boring. The film is a great lesson to that extent, so I grant it 10/10.

In general, I find rituals to be boring. Political, religious, you name it: I get bored by rituals. I could not watch 30-50 times how newbies execute the same rituals. Further, I never learned a poem by rote. So, I doubt that I could learn the ritual answers.

I do not see the Freemasonry as evil or as a cabal, but it is not for me.

Freemasons have a duty to study Freemasonry itself. This duty often gets neglected. Why? Because it's boring, I presume.