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Back to To the Point

To the Point

'The Master' and Scientology

The new film, The Master , is based largely on the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Philip Seymour Hoffman dazzles as the founder of Scientology , a charismatic Svengali who convinces his acolytes of the power of his vision.

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KCRW placeholderBy Mike Pesca • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

The new film, The Master, is based largely on the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Philip Seymour Hoffman dazzles as the founder of Scientology, a charismatic Svengali who convinces his acolytes of the power of his vision. As his son says in the movie, he makes it up as he goes along. We compare fact and fiction in film with a film critic and a chronicler of Scientology.

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    Mike Pesca

    host of The Gist

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

  • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

    Sonya Geis

    Senior Managing Editor

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    Scott Foundas

    Variety film critic

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    Tony Ortega

    longtime Scientology chronicler

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