Years of the Beast

I saw this movie back in 1982 as well as all of the other Apocalypse movies from that era. There is a good reason why this one gets an overall 7 IMDb rating, which is higher than all the other movies for the time period of this genre. While this movie was definitely low budget and does have a couple of bad "B movie" moments, the overall screen writing, directing and acting are actually pretty good for the low budget they had to work with. Of all the Apocalypse movies from this time period, this is the one to do a remake of. With special effects now being light years ahead of where they were then, as long as the original plot / script were followed and they didn't drown the movie in special effects, this would be a great remake.

This thing looks dang good, a movie about the Rapture! The second coming! Having watched a trailer for it, I was sure this movie was going to be worth a least a few laughs, I truly believed. Oh how sorely I was disappointed. There are no crazy Christian propaganda overtones, just some extremely low budget animated special effects. The movie apparently really follows the biblical story of the Rapture, but even though that premise promises a great deal of unintentional humor value, in reality it's just boring. The dialog is obtuse and vacant and the plot, what little there is, is centered around a bunch of spineless theological pushovers. Little to no risibility factor, who'dve thought the second coming would be such a yawn?

The reason this movie is so good is the storyline stays devoted to the heart issues going on in the characters who are very believable ordinary types. No one has super scientific genius who happens to appear to save the day... So many end times movies get really caught up in chronology of Revelations too. This doesn't. It really focuses on a small band of people grappling with their fate of being left behind and making sense of the craziness of circumstance and character changes happening all around them. I give it my highest rating for end time projects and show it to friends on VHS all the time. Also 3 of the main actors are professional, credible performers.

I don't agree Doctrinally with the mid Tribulation Church setting but, inspite of that, this film holds your interest with a good storyline and action. In sum, dated but worthwhile.

Great movie with a decent script and good acting. I love to watch this movie about once a year. It moves fast through the rapture and tribulation period but it's easy enough to follow along. Being a teenager at the time this movie was made really takes me back every time I watch it. You won't be disappointed with it's message and overall quality. Great family movie.

Some of the actors in this movie actually made some pretty good movies in their day. I'd have to agree with one of the other critiques of this movie also when it noted that it does a great job without all the Hollywood pizzazz. Enjoy!