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Revelation is the title of a new movie in a series produced by Prophecy Partners. Inspired by the book of the Bible of the same name, the movie is set in the tribulation, after Christians have been taken up in the Rapture. Coming to power, the Antichrist plans a "Day of Wonders" that uses the technology of virtual reality to help establish his kingdom. A small underground of people who believe in Christ after the Rapture work to thwart his efforts.
This movie is the second in a series that began with the movie Apocalypse, which has sold nearly 300,000 copies in Christian bookstores.
Co-produced by Peter and Paul Lalonde, the budget for Revelation was $5 million US, five times higher than the budget for Apocalypse.
Apocalypse "was our first [film], and we didn't know how much we could spend, what the market would bear," said Lalonde. In making Revelation, the producers brought in Academy Award-nominated director George Tirl (Metamorphosis) and shot the movie on film rather than on videotape. Because of their experience with Apocalypse, the screenplay for Revelation is more dramatic and deeper, Lalonde said.
Jeff Fahey (The Lawnmower Man, Silverado, The Marshall) plays the lead character, Thorold Stone, and other actors include supermodel Carol Alt as Cindy and Hollywood veteran Nick Mancuso as the Antichrist.
While Revelation has a clear gospel message, it not as overt as some Christian films. Tirl gave the movie a moody look that reflects the feelings of the characters. "We wanted to make it be very clear that there is a right way and a wrong way. But we didn't want it to be cliché in the way that Christian movies can," said Lalonde.
Revelation will be released on home video Feb. 20 before going to the movie theatres in late March. Concerning this major break with Hollywood tradition, Lalonde explained that the movie is evangelical. "We want [Christians] to use it as a witnessing tool, so we're putting it in their hands right off the bat. Then when it comes to their theatre, hopefully they'll take their friends."
The third movie in the series, still untitled, is expected to be released this fall. Like its predecessors, the movie will be able to stand by itself. Lalonde said, "In each movie, we want to challenge people to think about how prophecy could be fulfilled. We want it to line up perfectly with the Word of God, but in a way they've never heard before."Evangelical Press News Service
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