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29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Undervalued as a Camp Classic!, November 29, 2000
This review is from: A Thief in the Night [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The evangelical nature of this film may scare some non-Christians away from what is a true 70's B-movie classic. Filmed on location in scenic Iowa, this film even features Russell Doughten Jr. (co-producer of the 1958 classic "The Blob" and executive producer of this film) as Reverend Turner, a liberal pastor who is left behind after all the Christians disappear during 'The Rapture.' The plot follows the trials of Patty Myers, a young teenager who awakens to find that millions of people around the world have suddenly disappeared without a trace. She had the opportunity to give her heart to Jesus, but was hindered by Rev. Turner, who denies the teaching of the Rapture from the pulpit. Suddenly, Patty finds herself in a world ruled by a global organization (UNITE) controlled by the United Nations. She spends a good deal of the movie running away from armed UNITE thugs who are intent on making sure she receives "the mark," a strange 'computer code' that identifies her as one of Satan's own. This is a film that scared the hell out (quite literally, in some cases) of a good many children and teenagers during the 70's and early 80's. Endearingly sub-par acting, low-budget sets and props, horribly dated scenery and clothing, and a cheesy over-the-top film score add up to a film that should rightfully be a classic among lovers of B-movie flicks. This film spawned three sequels, "A Distant Thunder," "Image of the Beast," and "The Prodigal Planet."
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Classic Christian Apocalyptic Movie, June 3, 2003
This movie is important in that it began the whole Christian apocalyptic genre. In 1972 Thief in the Night was cutting-edge church drama. Of course the acting seems a bit stiff, the dialogue forced, the message delivered without a hint of sublety. However, this effort served as a catalyst for the many sophisticated media presentations of a popular Christian view of how the world as we know it ends (and begins). I remember seeing Thief in the Night roughly a quarter of a century ago--how it inspired me to greater dedication, and how a number people became serious about their faith for the first time. Seeing The film today is akin to watching some of the earliest Star Trek episodes. The dated styles, the archiac technology, and the paper-shuffling government authorities are fun to remember. Yet, in spite of the 30 years that have passed since its production, Thief in the Night's message remains timely. Perhaps the reintroduction of the Thief in the Night series will garner new appreciation for such modern productions as Left Behind, and the Apocalypse series. Religious producers still do not have the budgets and tools available on the scale Hollywood uses. Nevertheless, meaningful messages are being meaningfully done. Bottom-line: Thief in the Night will prove most interesting to Christians who came of age in the 70s and 80s. The acting is stiff, but not sloppy. The message lacks nuance, but communicates clearly and realistically. As a pioneer effort in the genre, the movie earns a solid 4 stars.
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21 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Will Remember It,,,, September 30, 2001
This review is from: A Thief in the Night [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I have three childern who are adults now. This was one of many movies that we rented from a local christian book store, when they were young. Recently, I recieved a phone call from my oldest boy, asking about this movie. He told me, that as a child, he had nightmares after watching this movie, but now he's asking me if I could remember the title. He does remember, wants to see it again, and to show it to his friends. It's a movie that we had a hard time watching and believing, but it does fall in line with the word of God. I would not ever show this to little ones again, but as children get older, I think it's a movie that can help put life, and what children may come up against in life, into a better preseptive. Teenagers and their parents should see this movie together. I have never forgotten it,,,, you won't either. Melinda Paschall
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