A Thief in the Night
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Movie Reviews of A Thief in the Night
Movie Review: God isn't only a thief, he's a killer, a liar, and a voyeur.
Summary: 3 Stars
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.
Movie Review: The Classic Christian Apocalyptic Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Dated Biblical Rapture Story
Summary: 3 Stars
This story (the first of a four movie series) based on Apocalyptic events as described in the Bible seems very dated thirty years later as long sideburns and clothing styles have changed. Still the acting was earnest though the script was a bit heavy. The story line does follow the Bible relatively faithfully (depending on your viewpoint of "Last Day" events goes) as does the second movie - it starts going off on a tangent in the third or fourth movie. I really can't remember which; this review was based on a viewing of all four movies in this series in 1987.