Rating: 
Summary: The original Left Behind
Review: Back in the 70's one of the few ways you could watch Christian movies were at the Christian drive-in.( Everyone would wait until the loud intro music to pop their brews.)These movies were very cheaply made but The Thief In The Night always drew the biggest crowds.When the movie was finished a preacher would appear to preach and ask for money.What does this have to do with the movie? Plenty! The whole movie is a classic time portal to the early 70's, which not to be confused with the late disco 70's. In Left Behind when you were raptured you left in your birthday suit. In Thief you took you bell-bottoms, heaven would not be heaven without your soft, broken-in jeans.
Rating: 
Summary: Cheap, amateurish & powerful primal raw C'tian cinema!
Review: Forget the LEFT BEHIND movies, this is the genuine B-grade Christian horror film of all time. I'm still a Christian, tho no longer a Rapturist, and I gotta admit the THIEF IN THE NIGHT series still packs a wallop. It's cheaply made, amateurishly acted, and simplistically written, but it has a profound raw earnestness of sheer primal emotional power. Same with the three sequels A DISTANT THUNDER, IMAGE OF THE BEAST and PRODIGAL PLANET.The only such movies to come close- Michael Tolkin's THE RAPTURE (starring Mimi Rogers & David Duchovny- NOT a C'tian
production *L* - a well-deserved R but must-viewing for mature C'tians); and Parts 2-4 of Cloud Ten Production's Apocalypse series- REVELATION (Jeff Fahey & Carol Alt), TRIBULATION (Gary Busey, Margot Kidder, Howie Mandel-?!?!) & JUDGMENT (Corbin Bersen, Mr. T), tho skip the original APOCALYPSE unless you're a completist.
Rating:
Summary: The 70's-80's Left Behind!!!
Review: Having finally purchaased and the Thief In The Night collection earlier on this year, having watched and loved more current prophecy classics such as Apocalypse 1-4, The Moment After, Left Behind 1 &2, SIX: the Mark Unleashed and the Gathering, I have to say that the entire series deserves a 5 simply for paving the way for and inspiring many of the later prophecy movies(including those that I've just mentioned), and for having a 70's to 80's, MOD Squad & Knightrider-ish feel that you have to love. TRUE, the production, action, acting, and efx were amateur at best, but the message is POWERFUL, the stroyline is captivating, and let's face it, this series has elements of all of the more recent prophecy films and books(Apocalypse, Left Behind, Omega Code,etc) rolled into one. So I have one word for this whole series...FOUNDATIONAL!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Scare them into Salvation..
Review: I remember this movie as it came out in 1973,how could I ever forget it as it was also used in my church when I was a child as a so called "Witnessing tool" now as an adult I can see it for what it really was ...A scare tactic to get one to believe and if I didn't I would be "Left behind to go to hell".
The tool worked as I would have panic attacks till I was the age of 36. Some have mentioned in the reviews that the movies special affects are amateurish at best.. But remember during the seventies many people weren't as desensitized from watching the television shows and on screen movies of that time as they are in this day with all the special affects etc,and I can see why they would say that. I would say if you home school your children and monitor the types of TV programs they watch then by all means..do NOT let them see this movie or you can have the same type of reaction.
As a side note after studying the Bible for years (in both Hebrew & Greek) because of the reaction I Had to this movie I can say honestly I don't believe in the so called "rapture" anymore as it was a just a theory and is only 150 years old and makes Christianity into an escapism religion and for you who don't believe it here where the theory came from.
The Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 12, 1966 issue, pages 648-649, describes Edward Irving and the controversy over his teachings in Scotland and England in the early 1800's. He was a member of the Irvingite movement; also known as the Catholic Apostolic Church and he was excommunicated by the London presbytery, and in 1833 was condemned and deposed from the ministry of the Church of Scotland because of his teaching concerning "the sinfulness of Christ's humanity". He also began to teach a new theory: the "rapture/ taking out of the Church", after a young Scottish lass by the name of Margaret MacDonald went into a trance and described a vision in which she said she saw the saints leaving the earth at the return of the Lord, before the tribulation. Her trance and vision took place in the spring of 1830, while living in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Her "revelation" was recorded in a book written by R. N. Norton and printed in London in 1861. Prior to this time, the Church, clear back to the Apostles, had always preached that the Church would go victoriously through the tribulation. There is no record of the "escape rapture" theory being preached before 1830. On April 30, 1831, a Mrs. J. B. Cardale, who later joined Irving's church, had uttered a personal revelation in a home prayer meeting, echoing Margaret MacDonald's revelation of a pre-tribulation rapture.
It was from this supposed revelation that the modern doctrine and modern phraseology respecting it arose. It didn't come from any Christian Scripture, but from that which falsely pretended to be the Spirit of G-d. Edward Irving accepted this teaching, and it was taught at prophetic meetings at Powerscourt House in Ireland, attended much by Plymouth Brethren organizer John Darby. Irving's views influenced Darby, C. H. Mackintosh, and C. I. Scofield (whose Bible notes popularized this new theory). So it was a young Scottish girl who originated this idea, and is so recorded on page 15 of Norton's book on the Catholic Apostolic Church. Darby, Scofield along with Clarence Larkin and his charts began to teach this new theory, and in the early 1900's it reached a peak in popularity. Please people before you take anything as the word of G-D RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!
I have since left the Christian faith and converted to Judaism and am very happy.
Rating:
Summary: God isn't only a thief, he's a killer, a liar, and a voyeur.
Review: I saw this movie first when I was ten years old, and already I had been studying biblical prophecies for years. These films did something I'd not quite expected . . . they revealed what life would be like for Christians who were left behind. Now, to begin, these movies were already cheesy when I saw them in 1986. I knew they were based in the seventies because I'd seen similiar clothing and hairstyles in movies and photographs. (which is logical, considering that the seventies were also the era of the Jesus movement, though I grant Jesus Christ, Superstar, far more credit than I grant this movie and its delightful, if overly preachy, sequels). Of the film set, this one is clearly the most honest of them. Patty gets a taste of what it's like to learn her husband Jim, who (big shock, huh,) only became a Christian the night before. The film first takes us into Patty's past, then into the "future." Before, I thought Patty was merely traumatized and angry. With such a situation, I wouldn't be shocked at all to be that way myself. Still, I thought she was largely paid to scream (indicating a good reason for her assisting cast to be present.) But my mother had gotten so angry with Patty that she forbade us from then on to say hamburger and Patty in the same sentence. At last, I have seen the light and turned away from the christian path. But I continued my studies of the bible. I have also attained an adoration for the honesty of horror films. (Perhaps I have read too much Camille Paglia.) Anyhow, with my christian blinders dispelled, I can now understand Patty's panic, rage, and disgust much more clearly. This is good for anyone who 1) desires a good scare, 2) can tolerate being preached at constantly, 3) enjoys films about the end of the world. (In a way, these films are somewhat variations on the Romero zombie films.) 4) Doesn't get the point of Left behind (which I found boring) and wants to get the original source.
Rating:
Summary: God isn't only a thief, he's a killer, a liar, and a voyeur.
Review: I saw this movie first when I was ten years old, and already I had been studying biblical prophecies for years. These films did something I'd not quite expected . . . they revealed what life would be like for Christians who were left behind. Now, to begin, these movies were already cheesy when I saw them in 1986. I knew they were based in the seventies because I'd seen similiar clothing and hairstyles in movies and photographs. (which is logical, considering that the seventies were also the era of the Jesus movement, though I grant Jesus Christ, Superstar, far more credit than I grant this movie and its delightful, if overly preachy, sequels). Of the film set, this one is clearly the most honest of them. Patty gets a taste of what it's like to learn her husband Jim, who (big shock, huh,) only became a Christian the night before. The film first takes us into Patty's past, then into the "future." Before, I thought Patty was merely traumatized and angry. With such a situation, I wouldn't be shocked at all to be that way myself. Still, I thought she was largely paid to scream (indicating a good reason for her assisting cast to be present.) But my mother had gotten so angry with Patty that she forbade us from then on to say hamburger and Patty in the same sentence. At last, I have seen the light and turned away from the christian path. But I continued my studies of the bible. I have also attained an adoration for the honesty of horror films. (Perhaps I have read too much Camille Paglia.) Anyhow, with my christian blinders dispelled, I can now understand Patty's panic, rage, and disgust much more clearly. This is good for anyone who 1) desires a good scare, 2) can tolerate being preached at constantly, 3) enjoys films about the end of the world. (In a way, these films are somewhat variations on the Romero zombie films.) 4) Doesn't get the point of Left behind (which I found boring) and wants to get the original source.
Rating:
Summary: First Christian Horror Movie
Review: I think people miss the idea behind this set of films. They were made with their knowledge of the scriptures back then. Its simply GREAT! Its the First christian B Horror Movie! It scared the (...) out of me back in the day as a kid but now its up there for me with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Evil Dead" and "70s/80s Slashers". I think the performances are typical B Movie performances and make it a classic! You can't take this film seriously NOW, but back then it made people "think" which is what it was made for! "Left Behind" is the more "informed" version of what will happen. But this film is GREAT in the fact that people run around with a visible mark on their foreheads etc! ITS AWESOME! LOL...anyway, I like the film because of the memories and its a good B Movie Horror film. But the message is still relevant and most will laugh at it now but I still think its a cool movie along with the whole set.
Rating:
Summary: A life changing movie
Review: I was 12 yrs old the first time I viewed this movie. I remember being scared to death that it would happen to me. I was 15 yrs old when I became a Christian. During the alter service the scenes from this movie and its sequels rolled through my mind and I knew I did not want to go through the things I had seen portrayed. This movie has made such an impact on my life and I wish every one could see it at least one time in their life. I believe the world would be a much better place. You will not regret your purchase of this or the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: A life changing movie
Review: I was 12 yrs old the first time I viewed this movie. I remember being scared to death that it would happen to me. I was 15 yrs old when I became a Christian. During the alter service the scenes from this movie and its sequels rolled through my mind and I knew I did not want to go through the things I had seen portrayed. This movie has made such an impact on my life and I wish every one could see it at least one time in their life. I believe the world would be a much better place. You will not regret your purchase of this or the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Example Of Christian Cinema
Review: I was 16 when I saw this movie for the first time. It cleared up a lot of questions I had about why a person must be "Saved". I made a decision for Christ shortly afterward. Since I have watched all four and consider the cornerstone of any Christian media library as it is a reminder of what is in store for this world and us. The thing that gets me the most is that what these other reviewers fail to understand (and it is not their fault) is that Christians watch a Christian film not for its originality (the story is over 2000 years old!)and its ability to appeal to all audiences at all times however (It is a Christian Ministry Tool!), it is always been the message. The story line and entertainment is just a welcome add on. These same reviewers could probably say that the Passion of The Christ film was a "rehash" of older Biblical movies and it was not done in a certain manner to suit a particular segment of the population yet it is one of the most highest grossing movies of all time. We are not embarrassed of these films; we embrace them and enjoy them. I recommend this film to all. Use it as a ministry tool for the youth. I was 15 when I first saw these films in 1995 so they are as much relevant now as they were then.
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