Through the Guru, one can obtain The Knowledge. Through the Guru, the collective whole can find Peace and Happiness. Through the Guru, one can attend "Millenium '73," a three-day conference at the Houston Astrodome in which the Guru and his Holy Family would appear to lead his American sheep into fits of peaceful meditation and Christian-like stadium singing led by his brother's rock-n'-soul band Blue Aquarius. Through the Guru, one can attend a Knowledge Session to finally, if they are chosen to do so, Receive The Knowledge. And oh, the people, the desperate, desperate people, the people who panic when they may not Receive the Knowledge before their flight leaves Texas, the people who freak out when they touch something that the guru has touched, the people who cannot comprehend why it is that the Rest of America thinks they are all mislead crazies under the spell of a prankster.

It is said, in Lord of the Universe, that when the Guru was about to move to the United States from his home in India, barely an adolescent, it was requested of his followers that they send any "extra appliances" they may have to his new home on Long Island. Yes, God lives it up, with a big house and fancy cars (that I don't think he was able to drive yet?) and many gadgets. He's a rich guru, could ya believe it?

I couldn't even really explain the wealth found in Lord of the Universe. Seeing is believing. Thank god, the ex-Premies (followers) have created a site with video clips. See it for yourself. Rennie Davis and Abbie Hoffman both make appearances in the film, with Hoffman delivering the best (and most sense-making) line of the entire piece. While the outward intent of the film is to capture the 3-day Event in Houston, I personally found the film to be more of a criticism of desperation. The guru, he's just there, serving as the master of this bizarre three-ring circus.

A friend of mine wrote a great review of this documentary. Definitely worth watching (even for the opening theme alone).