LEFT BEHIND
US, 2000, 96 minutes, Colour.
Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Janaya Stephens, Clarence Gilliard Jnr, Colin Fox, Gordon Currie, Chelsea Noble.
Directed by Vic Sarin.
After The Omega Code did not induce millennial fears, film-makers turned their attention to the series of best-seller novels with the at-first puzzling title of Left Behind. The producers employed TV star Kirk Cameron to introduce the film on video as well as give a post-movie exhortation for audiences to spread the word about Left Behind, with the urging that the film be then released in cinemas across the United States. This did not happen although it was commercially successful in some centres like Grand Rapids, Michigan, with their strong evangelical background and belief in the rapture.
Like The Omega Code, the hero of the film is a reporter, found initially covering disasters in Jerusalem, especially concerning plans to create food for the starving millions. Warned by a friend in America, that there are strange goings on in the world, the reporter is asked to go to London. During the flight, people simply disappear with piles of clothes neatly placed on vacant seats. Needless to say this evokes some panic in those who remain, who have been left behind. The pilot of the plane and the flight attendant with whom he has been romantically involved (and who are not taken up in the rapture) try to deal with the situation. On their return, the pilot finds his wife and son gone but his teenage daughter left behind. Further investigation leads to revelations (especially on a video by a preacher who has also now disappeared) about the meaning of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians concerning the last times when those who are faithful are taken up in the clouds to the Lord (the rapture) while those not worthy are left behind and must work for their salvation.
Since the authors of the novels have signed long-term contracts for the series, it is clear that their option is to be left behind!
The Omega Code and Left Behind are made with great earnestness which is very easy to mock. Kirk Cameron's pleas for acceptance of the important message run the danger of being laughed at by ordinary viewers let alone cynics. These films make no contribution to an understanding of Christianity despite references to the Scriptures and visits to churches. In fact, they mistake faith for a loyalty to a simplistic form of religious enthusiasm.
1.The impact of the film in 2001? In theatres? On video? Amongst church audiences? Amongst secular audiences?
2.The title, the meaning of The Rapture? The preparation of the time of Tribulation? The adaptation of the popular series of novels? Audiences who had read the books and their expectations?
3.The location photography, the United States, the scenes in the air, Jerusalem and Israel? The United Nations? The musical score and the range of popular songs?
4.The theology of the film: Matthew 24 and the explanation of the end times, the seven years of tribulation? The Book of Revelation and antiChrists? The nature of The Rapture – and the references to St Paul to the Thessalonians? Their being presented as fact? The presentation of the Bible, looking up texts – Buck and his scepticism, the information given, especially about Ezekiel 38 as if that reference of 580BC was to the United States around 2000? The nature of literal and fundamentalist interpretations of such passages? Applying them solely to the United States and to the present times?
5.The image of God, a vengeful God? A God taking those who are beloved in Rapture? Those left behind? Sin? Judgment?
6.The apocalyptic nature of the story? End times? The world on the brink of war and destruction? The apocalyptic nature of the Rapture?
7.Audience understanding of the Rapture? The experience in the plane, in Steel’s home? The disappearance of people around the world? The clothes left? The old lady and her bewilderment on the plane, the plane crew? The tape and Bruce Barnes showing Buck, the minister who made the tape about the Rapture three years before it happened?
8.The Jerusalem setting, the Israeli photography? Chaim and his plans, the fruitful crops in Israel? Buck and his reporting? The sudden aerial invasion, the planes exploding in the air? His broadcasting to the American public? The authorities and their watching – and the Psalms and prophecies from the Old Testament as referring to Israel’s enemies in the north? Syria and Iraq? The relevance for the 1990s and the 21st century?
9.Buck, his character, his work? His return to America, bewilderment, his discussions with his source? Going to England, talking with Hattie, the experience of the Rapture on the plane? His return, his meeting Chloe Steel, with Rayford? Talking with government connections, with the television broadcast connections? His investigations, interest in Nicolae Carpathia, getting the true story about the manipulation of the food scheme in Israel? His experience with Rayford, the church, Bruce Barnes and the video, the Scripture explanations, his immediate belief? His going to Nicolae, going to the meeting of the United Nations, witnessing Nicolae and his confrontation with his friends and his murdering them, the brainwashing of the associates? His helplessness? His taking refuge with the Steel family in the church? The build-up to the sequel?
10.Rayford Steel, the pilot, his relationship with his wife, son, daughter? At home, going on the plane? The tension with his family? His experience on the plane, the revelation of the relationship with Hattie? The experience of the Rapture, his bewilderment? Going home, his wife and son gone? Meeting with Chloe, going to the church, the influence of Bruce? The meetings with Buck in the home? His praying, being a refuge for Buck? Chloe, her love for her mother, criticisms of her father, going to the exams, on the road, the Rapture, her surviving? Meeting Buck, falling in love with him?
11.Bruce Barnes, his beliefs, explanation of the Scriptures, the tape about the Rapture, praying with Ray?
12.Nicolae, his personality, his ascendance to authority, the exercise of power, his manipulation? His ruling the world – and Buck hearing him identify himself as the antiChrist?
13.The credibility of the story as drama, as religious drama, as plausible fact? The response of audiences believing in these events as if they were real?
