![Left Behind - The Movie [VHS]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517490R83YL.jpg)
Product description VHS Tape .com Part conspiracy theory and part religious message, Left Behind (based on the first in a series of runaway bestsellers by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins) is a passable, occasionally compelling thriller that turns the rapture and the ascendance of the Antichrist into something resembling a Robert Ludlum espionage potboiler. The beginning, though, is pure Stephen King: as morose pilot Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson) steers his jet plane toward London, comely flight attendant Hattie Daniels (Chelsea Noble) informs him that a number of passengers have disappeared--at 37,000 feet, leaving their neatly pressed clothes behind. And they're not the only ones who've gone missing. The mass disappearances throw the world into chaos, and the sinisterly compelling Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie), head of the U.N., selflessly steps in to help broker peace among the world's nations. But is he as good intentioned as he seems? Turns out the appropriately named Mr. Carpathia is behind a plot to rule the world and control its food supply, and intrepid reporter Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron, better than you'd expect) is onto him--with a little help from some biblical prophecies. Suffering the problem that befalls most first installments in a series of books and movies, Left Behind busies itself with the task of introducing characters and setting up expository plot lines, and audiences may be frustrated by the lack of action--Rayford's somewhat labored crisis of faith takes up a good chunk of the film. Still, it's an intriguing premise that should satisfy fans of the novel and possibly pick up a few more converts along the way (be warned, though, this is a modestly budgeted film that looks more like a cable TV movie than the latest James Bond extravaganza). And, if like a fair number of the film's characters, you can't figure out that someone named "Nicolae Carpathia" is a bad guy, then, well, you need to bone up on your evil villains. --Mark Englehart P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review The Left Behind series (Tyndale) is so successful that one of two things had to happen: either the market would be saturated by countless Left Behind merchandise (The Left Behind Bible, Left Behind lunchboxes, Left Behind action figures, Left Behind yo-yos that only go up), or someone would buy the film rights. Well, $17.4 million later, Cloud Ten Pictures has unleashed Left Behind: The Movie.The end-times film begins in Jerusalem, where a massive air assault on Israel is mysteriously thwarted. Star news personality Buck Williams, played by Kirk Cameron (TV's "Growing Pains"), is on hand for the excitement. But fighter planes falling out of the sky are nothing compared to what happens next: the inexplicable global disappearance of millions of people that stymies the world. The rest of the film follows Buck as he pieces the mystery together, with a little help from new friends played by Brad Johnson (Always) and Clarence Gilyard Jr. ("Walker, Texas Ranger," Die Hard). Before long Buck has the mother of all come-to-Jesus moments, and inadvertently helps launch the career of the Antichrist, played by Gordon Currie (Puppet Master 4).Left Behind: The Movie has a sizable marketing and promotional effort behind it. But a hip soundtrack CD and cameos by Christian celebrities like Bob Carlisle, Rebecca St. James and Bishop T.D. Jakes don't make up for the mediocre movie-of-the-week tone.The script-by Allan McElroy (Spawn), Paul Lalonde and Joe Goodman-relies too much on an audience that already knows what's going on (either from the Bible or the novel, take your pick). And director Vic Sarin (The Legend of Gator Face) fails to deliver the goods to this built-in following. He doesn't show the rapture that takes away millions of people, nor does there seem to be a single person left on the planet that actually saw someone disappear.Admittedly, anyone setting out to make a film with an upbeat ending about the beginning of the rise of the Antichrist would have their work cut out for them. Here's hoping there may yet be a day when a "Christian" film is recognized, not because it's Christian, but because it displays a level of excellence-in every respect, including writing, acting, cinematography, editing-that makes the world take notice. -- Derek Wesley Selby (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc. -- From CCM Magazine -- Subscribe Now! See more
T**E
A Stress-Relieving Work of Christian Escapism
As a Christian, I understand why other Christians like this film. Everyone desires to be whisked away from this world of evil and suffering, instantaneously, and to be with the Lord in a better place, without suffering, persecution, trouble, and to furthermore be in a special group of "elect" people that are taken out and protected before suffering any misery here. If I were 5 years old, and no suffering had occurred in my life, this movie would be wonderful; this is exactly the sort of way I would write the Christian faith if I were writing it - but that should tell me something, because the heart is wicked above all things, and, God's thoughts are not my thoughts.Reading the Bible one comes to the miserable and inescapable realization that this is not really the way the rapture will go. It says those who are living will not precede those who are dead. It says that the kingdom of God does not come with outer signs. The Bible frequently refers to the temple not as Solomon's temple, but rather as the temple of the Lord's body, and our bodies.Believe me, nobody wants more than this to be a magical, wonderful, instantaneous, effortless long-awaited undeserved fairy-tale "whisking away" - and I am prone to escapism just as much as anybody else, as this world is basically unendurable, but, we should at least have the honesty to admit that this isn't Truth, as much as we would like it to be. The Bible depressingly talks about tribulation. It talks about people getting martyred for their faith. It talks about enduring to the end. It talks about "working out" our salvation. It talks about "trouble" in this world.I don't want to take away anyone's comfort, because I think movies like this can be very comforting in the face of a brutal reality. But we cannot construct our castles in the sand, even if we dream about sand castles.We are saved by faith in Christ alone, and we are supposed to repent of our sins, so that we don't perish. But, this saving and all the promises of the presence of God, and all the good things - if we are to be honest - seems to all happen after we die. I'm sure nobody would have liked to have been whisked away more than John the Baptist - but he got beheaded. I am sure that Jesus would not have chosen what God Willed for Him on the Cross to save us if it had been "optional". We are drawn into His sufferings.So this movie is sort of a great idea but only in reference to viewing the "Raptured" people, as actually those who have completed their lives here in Christ. If one views the movie from this perspective, then it seems theologically helpful: we can rest assured that those who have died in Christ are in fact in heaven. We can rest assured that we have to effectively turn to God and away from sin, and die daily. We can rest assured that, very similar to a Rapture, once we die, it is basically everything we could expect from what most people daydream about the Rapture: we are gone from a world of horrific exploitation and suffering, and redeemed into God's Holy Mountain, where they shall not hurt nor harm. The fairy tale is still real, except, it won't occur with some magical pre-death whisking, we simply will get caught up in the sky at Christ's Second Coming, which, most likely, will be after we die. There does seem to be some evidence of some still alive people getting whisked up during Christ's Second Coming but, those people have been going through miserable Tribulation, and I'd much rather be an old person dying a full life like the elderly gentleman on the airplane, rather than one of the miserable saints undergoing the 7 year tribulation. But I suspect even this desire is wrong - can it be that some people "get off easier" than others; surely not or God is not just. I have this horrible suspicion it actually is, that since most of the saints were killed for their faith, probably a lot of people are ideally going to die that way.So horror on top of horrors I guess, right up till the end.But then, the sweet promise of heaven, being filled with light and the presence of God, being redeemed by faith out of this world, the wiping away of every tear, and all the things that seem so near, but cannot be had here, but...just further, further...as soon as we pass away. It is very hard not to just end things considering that promise - as, who in their right mind would want to stay and suffer here?But I suppose most Christians would want to stay where the Lord has placed them, thinking they are making some kind of progress in the evangelism of others - perhaps even their family. Ideally, this actually does occur. But we know that even if we evangelize no one, we can still go to heaven with no reward. We will pass through a fire, and all our unprofitable works will burn up, but we ourselves will be saved.So this movie is helpful as a childish water-downed version of the real Bible. I'm sure there will really be an AntiChrist, although whether he declares Himself God both externally over the physical nation of Israel, or internally, in the temple, in the Spiritual Nation of Israel - this I don't know.But I do know that believers will be saved. And just as I formerly looked forward to being whisked up into the sky hopefully any minute now, I look forward to being forgiven of my sins, given a new body, a new life, a new identity, on a New Heaven and a New Earth, hopefully God's holy Mountain. It is honestly hard to think about prolongedly, because of how awful this place is by comparison, and how awful the present state is to endure...but, life goes by in the blink of a moment.One or two more blinks and this nightmare will be gone. And I guess that's the important bottom line, no CGI or acting needed.
F**E
Now I know where everyone gets their ideas for Rapture. Its from a novel and movie not the Bible.
I have a lot of friends that have come to believe in the Rapture as a Scriptural fact. That there will be a secret 3rd coming of Jesus Christ early before the 2nd Coming?!?!?!?!? Yep. Thats how its supposed to go.This is the craziest story of all time.Its no wonder that most of the Christian churches have few to no members left in its congregations, you have strayed from teaching Jesus Christ and the Resurrection of the dead and Millennial Reign. And you teach peter pan fairy tales that come from the TV instead. You can tell who was deeply involved in its creation to corrupt the faith of Christians too. This show has one specific people that are portrayed as victims that are hated and abused by the whole world. And its written in a way that we are all to feel sorry for those specific people. My guess is that it was those specific people that wrote this story to cause Christians go astray.Jesus Christ told us that "If we endure to the end, We will gain eternal life." in literally dozens of verses.Ya know, If I were Satan, I would make up such a story, that the Christian population would be deceived, That they never see me coming, and better yet, they never prepare for the tribulation of the saints even when they see it coming. Because they believe they will be Raptured before the tribulation, so why bother preparing?Can you imagine how many Christian saints will go into the Tribulation of the Saints completely unprepared both spiritually and physically. Its a rather genius plan.They dont call it the Tribulation of the Saints because there wont be any Saints there. Thats what the phrase means. It should be no surprise that Jesus Christ never spoke of a 3rd coming. That the word Rapture isnt even in the Bible, and the idea of it can only be found if you take phrases out of the bible, And translate them to Latin (The language of the devils) and then retranslate it back to english to mean harponzo. Then call that word rapture.Yep. Its made up entirely. Translations dont work that way. To translate from english to latin, and back to english if done CORRECTLY should end up with the same word you started with, not an entirely new word. If you end up with a entirely new word, you are mistranslating and messed up.Its a cool story.Its not reality. Its not scripture either. Dont get it mixed up in your heart. Find the truth of the real Jesus Christ and the second coming in the KJV Bible and dont be mislead. And when the time comes, Prepare to endure. The end times are for the most valiant saints in heaven. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.
T**4
Biblical
this movie was put together very well, in my opinion, because they tried to base it upon the Scriptures from the Word of God and if it helps one lost soul then it was worth watching, amen!
D**R
We must stick together and put our faith in Christ
Amazingly I watched this movie at church years ago and kind of forgot about it. That said with todays relevance it is pretty scary how close this movie matches up with reality. AND for those who don't want to be left behind and forgiven of there sins say this when you pray.The Lord’s PrayerOur Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us,and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,forever and ever.Amen.
G**R
Reality check
Great movie. Makes you think and open your eyes to the deceptive world we live in. Can't wait to see part two!! Great for all ages!1
H**H
Must see, great for film for all.
I really enjoyed this movie, it tells of a period written in the Bible of the rescue of God's children from a world where being a Christian is becoming a crime, many families are divided because of there faith, some go to heaven and some are left behind, to work out what is happening on earth between good and evil, it deals with man's strength not to surrender during persecution and great hatred, it full of bravery by some to hope in Gods love.
V**N
Great movie, great acting and actors
Would have been lovely, but had to change it for a region 2. My player wasn't suited to the region 1. Once I was able to watch this movie, I couldn't wait to order the whole series of Left Behind. Great movie, great acting and actors.
D**Y
Ms
Ok. The original black and white is much better.
M**R
A really good film about what may happen
A really good film about what may happen, it's not a high bugget Hollywood film. But then again its better then a lot of high cost film from Hollywood.
R**S
Five Stars
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