Independence & Disclaimer

An unofficial, independent site

This website is an independent, unofficial companion to the 2009 documentary The John Searl Story. It is not the film's official website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking on behalf of the filmmakers, BKL Films, John Searl or his estate, SEG Magnetics, or any organisation that promotes the Searl Effect or related work. All trademarks and the documentary itself remain the property of their respective owners; we claim no rights over the film and reproduce no material from it.

Our editorial stance

We discuss the documentary as a film and cultural artefact, and we discuss its subject — the Searl Effect Generator, “free energy,” and anti-gravity “levity discs” — as claims. Those claims are not accepted by mainstream physics and conflict with well-established science, in particular the conservation of energy. Nothing on this site should be read as asserting that any “free energy” or anti-gravity device works, or as encouragement to buy, build, or invest in one. We present the scientific consensus alongside the film's narrative so that readers can form an informed view.

No sales, no solicitation

We do not sell the documentary, sell DVDs, sell plans or devices, take payments, solicit donations, or seek members or subscribers. Where we mention external organisations it is for reference only. Links to third-party websites do not imply that they endorse this site, or that we endorse everything they publish.

On the film's subject

John Roy Robert Searl (1932–2018) was a public figure — the named subject of a released documentary and the promoter, over many years, of the ideas discussed here. We write about him in that capacity: factually, and as the historical subject of the film. We do not publish private personal details, we do not speak in his voice, and we intend no disrespect to him or to those who admire his work. Reasonable people can find a life story compelling while disagreeing about the scientific claims attached to it, and that is the spirit in which this site is written.

Why we take this approach

We could have built a site that simply repeated the documentary's claims, or one that mocked them. We chose neither. Repeating unverified claims as if they were established fact would mislead readers on a subject — energy and safety — where being misled can cost real money and, in the wrong hands, real harm. Mockery, on the other hand, teaches nothing and is unfair to sincere people. The middle path — describe the film fairly, present the claims as claims, and set the mainstream scientific view plainly alongside — respects both the reader's intelligence and the evidence. It is the approach we would want applied to any subject we cared about.

Accuracy and corrections

We have made a good-faith effort to describe the film and the underlying science accurately, drawing on reputable references listed on our Resources page. Science writing for a general audience necessarily simplifies, and simplification can introduce small errors; if you believe something here is mistaken, we would genuinely rather correct it than defend it. This site is offered for general information and education only. It is not scientific, medical, financial, engineering, or professional advice, and nothing here should be relied upon as a basis for purchasing, building, or investing in any device.

Return to the home page, or read our approach to these films on Watching Critically.