“Left Behind” Receives Rapturous Response from Hollywood Audience
By Dan Wooding
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (October 10, 2000) — A Hollywood audience who saw a sneak preview of the movie adaptation of the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book (Cloud Ten Pictures and Namesake Entertainment) gave it a rapturous thumbs up.
The screening took place on the lot of Twentieth Century Fox and was attended by some of the movers and shakers of the Southern California Christianity community.
The movie, which will be released first on video, stars Kirk Cameron. He plays Buck in this fast paced movie based on the best-selling novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Buck is a TV reporter reporting from Israel when a massive enemy air attack miraculously stops. Later, as Buck is flying to Europe to find out what happened, people disappear from the plane, and the pilot, Captain Steele, turns the plane back to Chicago. In Chicago, Buck stays with Captain Steele, who finds that his wife and son have disappeared.
In searching for his family, Steel discovers the truth, with the help of a pastor who’s been “left behind.” Buck also discovers the truth just before he’s drawn into the orbit of the secretary general of the UN.
One of those attending the preview was Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission and MOVIEGUIDE(R), a family magazine, radio program and TV show which reviews all movies from a biblical perspective.
He said, “LEFT BEHIND is the best movie made so far in the apocalyptic genre and has been crafted with a very careful, deft touch. It involves the audience in the storyline of the people. Kirk Cameron’s vulnerability, though unlike the Buck of the book, makes the movie much more compelling. He is an everyman caught in circumstances beyond his control. The characters are well drawn. LEFT BEHIND presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a very entertaining, powerful, winsome way.”
Bob Munger, the man who came up with the idea for THE OMEN movie, said, “This is one of the most well crafted movies that I have ever seen with a Christian theme. I think it will grab a secular audience, whether they are watching at home or in a theater. My hat is off to those who made this movie. The editing, the score, the pacing of the movie, was terrific. I don’t know how it could be better. To take a book that could have been made into a movie that was sixteen hours long and get it down and distill the idea and come across this way, is great; hopefully, it (will encourage) some people to follow this.”
Chako Vanleeuwen, a Japanese-born actress and moviemaker, said “It’s both scary, shocking and powerful. I read this book and I don’t know how they managed to make such a good film, but they did an excellent job. I hope they make more and more.”
She then had a message for Christians.
“Tell your friends to support this movie, because the friends that you get to support this movie can pull in the world and that’s what the aim of the film is. It’s aimed at people that maybe don’t visit a Christian bookstore or go to church. It’s important that every Christian take this movie on as a mission project and get the word out there (about) the movie.”
“LEFT BEHIND RAPTURE BOX”
The LEFT BEHIND book series has sold over 15 million copies in the US alone. One pastor who attended the screening now put a “Left Behind Rapture Box” on the stage of his church, Hosanna Chapel of Bellflower, California.
“The LEFT BEHIND series is timely, like Jeremiah’s warning to Israel pleading with them to repent yet he knew many would not so he gave instructions what to do when the enemy came to Jerusalem,” he said. “In the LEFT BEHIND story (based on biblical prophesy) a pastor (played in the film by Bishop T.D. James) made a video tape telling those who would miss the rapture what to do next. His detailed description of the world events seemed like yesterday’s news yet he recorded it three years earlier.
“This encouraged me to leave something behind for those left behind. We put a 100-year-old trunk in the church to be filled with people’s testimonies, biblical prophecies and the LEFT BEHIND book and tape. The chest will be there for those unfortunate enough to still be here yet blessed enough to find the answer to their dilemma.”
Peter and Paul Lalonde, who produced the movie in Toronto, Canada, were on hand to join the audience for the sneak preview. The EP News Service notes that they have single-handedly “set a new standard in Christian filmmaking” while John Hagee goes as far as to say that “Peter and Paul Lalonde are to Christian filmmaking what Steven Spielberg is to Hollywood!”
“We believe that this is a movie that can have an impact on America,” said Peter Lalonde. “There are lots of different types of movies out there but I don’t think there are many that have overt Christian message to it. If the books have been used the way they have been in the providence of God in the form that they were, which was very true to the Christian message, then the movie should do the same thing. And, that’s what we’ve attempted to do.
“It was fabulous to work with believers like Kirk Cameron, Chelsea Noble and Clarence Gilyard. I still think that Clarence’s scene in the church is one of the most powerful scenes I have seen put on film in a long time. Those of us who are believers all know that moment when we have had that revelation from an awesome God and Clarence really wanted to bring that reality to life. I was thrilled to work with all those people.”
The Lalondes live near Niagara Falls, Canada, with their families. Tribute Magazine calls them “Canada’s version of the Coen Brothers.” The National Post says they are “Hollywood-hip” and “media-savvy” in the way in which they bring their Christian worldview to the big screen.
However, one reporter notes, “These guys are the furthest thing you could imagine from being outside of the Hollywood mainstream. They are funny, hip, relaxed and they clearly are enjoying every moment of their success.”
I think they have a big hit on their hands.
LEFT BEHIND will be available on video on November 1, 2000, with two discount coupons to attend the theatrical version when it is released on February 2, 2001.
Dr. Ted Baehr urges every believer to support the theatrical release of LEFT BEHIND so that “It will send a message to Hollywood that people of faith and values want positive, enduring entertainment.” Then, he added, “LEFT BEHIND is the movie that the 165 million people who go to church every week have been waiting for!”