Left Behind: The Movie Video (VHS)

Buck Williams (played by Kirk Cameron) is an acclaimed international journalist who’s on to something big. He just doesn’t know how big! After completing an assignment in Israel where he interviewed Dr. Chaim Rosenweig, the discoverer of the Eden formula, a series of strange events begins to unfold. Millions of people vanish with no apparent explanation. Attacking jets and missiles explode mysteriously in mid-air. Chaos, fear, trepidation…they surround the land like fire.

Buck’s eccentric friend, Dirk Burton, insists he knows why the world has plunged into anarchy. In Dirk’s possession is a micro-disk that contains the secret files of Jonathan Stronagal (played by Daniel Pilon) and Joshua Cothran (played by Tony De Santis). These wealthy international bankers are mentors to Nicholae Carpathia (played by Gordon Currie), a charismatic U.N. ambassador who has become the respected voice of reason during the global crisis. But, when Dirk is murdered and a journalist working on the story sees a similar fate, Buck takes the micro-disk, daring to follow his friend’s lead.

Airline Captain Rayford Steele (played by Brad Johnson) has a different set of problems. Not only must he struggle with his attraction to beautiful flight attendant Hattie Durham (played by Kirk Cameron’s wife Chelsea Noble), but more importantly, upon his arrival home, he must also deal with the disappearance of his wife and son who have vanished like millions of others. Steele and his high-spirited daughter, Chloe (Janaya Stephens), are all that remain as they set out to find their loved ones at any cost.

Their trail leads to the tormented pastor of New Hope Church, Bruce Barnes (“Walker, Texas Ranger” star Clarence Gilyard). Pastor Barnes offers them a startlingly simple reason for the disappearance and worldwide chaos…a reason that has profound implications for the future of humanity.

Slowly drawn into an entanglement of betrayal, Buck Williams and Rayford Steele band together in a foreboding quest for the truth…a quest that will change their lives forever. Discover the outcome of the fateful events as you watch Left Behind: The Movie

KIRK CAMERON as “Buck Williams”

As the lead role, Cameron plays an internationally acclaimed journalist who is trying to uncover the truth behind mass disappearances of people all over the world, the chaos that follows, and the underlying threat of a massive conspiracy to control the world’s food supply. Throughout the bizarre twist of events in his investigation, Buck must face the murders of his valuable informants, including attempts on his own life.

Kirk Cameron is best known for his teen-role as heartthrob Mike Seaver on the award-winning series “Growing Pains,” staring along side Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns and Leonardo DiCaprio, who played a homeless youngster on the last two seasons. During this break-through role, Cameron’s boyish mug graced every teen magazine. He not only received countless fan letters, but also two Golden Globe nominations! Producers quickly took notice and cast Cameron in a series of fun roles like his work in the 1987 comedy “Like Father Like Son” with Dudley Moore, 1988’s “Listen to Me,” the 1991 drama “Little Piece of Heaven,” Disney’s 1995 “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” and the Warner Brother’s sitcom “Kirk” (1995-1997) and most recently Disney’s “Your Lucky Dog.”

A philanthropist at heart, Cameron and his wife Chelsea Noble work every summer at “Camp Firefly,” a foundation they created to help families of seriously ill children.

CHELSEA NOBLE as “Hattie Durham”

As Hattie Durham, Noble plays a flight attendant who ascends to a high-powered role at the United Nations. Durham’s ascent gets her lured into a conspiring web of lies spun by the Antichrist.

Noble has worked on many daytime television shows like soap operas “Loving” as well as “Days of Our Lives.” She also had several guest appearances on “Full House,” “Cheers,” “Doogie Howser M.D.,” and “Seinfeld.” Noble may be most recognized for her supporting role in “Growing Pains” where she played the role of Kate, Mike Seaver’s girlfriend. Though initially cast for a short term, the producers of the show saw the television chemistry between her and Kirk Cameron’s character and extended her role for three seasons, including the show’s finale. Not only did that chemistry win the hearts of viewers, it also won the heart of her heartthrob co-star, Kirk Cameron.

Cameron and Noble wed in Noble’s hometown July 20, 1991. They currently live in Los Angeles with their four children. Often taking roles alongside her husband, Noble also worked with Cameron on “A Little Piece of Heaven,” “Kirk,” and “You Lucky Dog.” She also was in the made-for-TV movie “Star Struck” in 1994.

BRAD JOHNSON as “Rayford Steele”

Brad Johnson, an experience pilot himself, plays the airline captain Rayford Steele, who is piloting a plane when several passengers suddenly disappear. Confused by the events, Steele soon finds that his wife and son have also disappeared. Steele joins forces with his feisty 20 year-old daughter to find their lost family.

Former Marlboro man, Johnson is often compared to Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. In 1984, while wrestling steer, Johnson was spotted by a casting director looking for cowboys to become extras in a beer commercial. After this break, he was cast as the Marlboro man. Later, he also appeared in some Calvin Klein print ads and other noteworthy commercials.

Soon, Steven Spielberg discovered him and offered Johnson as role in “Always” with Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter. He later played another pilot in the Spielberg film “Flight of the Intruder.” He may be most recognized as the title character in the CBS television series “Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life.”

JANAYA STEPHENS as “Chloe Steele”

Janaya Stephens hits the big time in her breakout role as Chloe, the spunky 20 year-old daughter of Rayford Steele.

After working on stage as Shakespeare’s Juliet at Laurentian University where she studied English and drama, she applied for the George Brown Theater School in Toronto and was chosen among 800 applicants. Since then, she has landed roles in television and film, but Left Behind: The Movie will be her biggest break. After the first night of rehearsals on the set of Left Behind: The Movie, actor Brad Johnson exclaimed, “This girl may very well steal the show!”

She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario, where Ten Cloud Pictures filmed Left Behind: The Movie. Nothing like working in your own backyard!

CLARENCE GILYARD as “Pastor Bruce Barnes”

Clarence Gilyard is one of this year’s NAACP Image Award winners for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his role in CBS-TV’s “Walker, Texas Ranger.” With a prolific and talented acting background, Gilyard has worked with Chuck Norris on “Walker, Texas Ranger” and for four years with Andy Griffith on “Matlock.” Gilyard also had prominent roles in “Die Hard” with Bruce Willis and “Top Gun” with Tom Cruise.

One of Clarence’s greatest joys is donating his time to charitable causes. He is the honorary chairperson of “Cowboys For Kids,” a non-profit organization assisting thousands of needy children. Gilyard recently signed on as a spokesperson for “Cater Blood Care,” a non-profit organization promoting the need for blood donators.

Enjoy Gilyard’s wise role as Pastor Bruce Barnes in Left Behind: The Movie.

GORDON CURRIE as “Nicolae Carpathia”

In Left Behind: The Movie, Gordon Currie plays the charismatic Romanian envoy, Nicolae Carpathia, who while appearing to be controlled by two conspirators who are cornering the world’s food supply, is actually playing a mastermind game of his own as the Antichrist.

Currie has been a successful actor for over 12 years in the film and television business, in both Canada and in the U.S. His latest film, “Way Downtown,” won the Best Canadian Feature Award at the highly acclaimed Toronto Film Festival beating out such heavyweights as Cameron Crowe’s "Almost Famous" and Christopher Guest’s "Best of Show."

Coming from a background in theater, Currie started on playing interesting roles in studio films like “My Blue Heaven” and “Alive.” Since, he has made a name for himself in independent films like “Dog Park,” “Ripe,” “Listen,” and “Laserhawk.”

Recently, on television, Currie played on “Beverly Hills 90210” (as the wheel-chair bound cousin), “Murder She Wrote,” and “Highlander.” Soon, people will recognize Currie from the new Action/Sci-Fi series from Warner Bros. called “Code Name: Eternity.” Currie has also written, directed and produced several features and shorts and his most current, “2 Extra Days,” finished in its 10th International Festival screening.

COLIN FOX as “Chaim Rosenzweig”

In Left Behind: The Movie, Fox plays a famed Israeli scientist. He is the inventor of a miracle food growth formula, intended to deliver Israel’s freedom from the Middle East. Unbeknownst to him, he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to take over the world’s food supply.

Fox is a veteran actor with numerous film, television, and stage roles under this belt. Some highlights include “Love and War” with Sandra Bullock and “Tommy Boy” with Chris Farley. He has also worked on “Law and Order,” “Goosebumps,” “Return to Lonesome Dove,” and “A Little Piece of Heaven” with Kirk Cameron and Chelsea Noble.

Fox lives outside Toronto with his wife and daughter.

Enjoy this great cast when you finally watch Left Behind: The Movie!

Left Behind: The Movie has been discussed, featured, highlighted and explored in almost every mainstream newspaper across the country, as well as in countless popular magazines. It’s exciting to see a Christian film get so much mainstream press! The June 8th edition of “The New York Times” featured Tim F. LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins on its front page. “The Los Angeles Times” Living Section of the Wednesday, June 28th edition focused on LaHaye and Jenkins’ new movie too. About the unabashedly Christian message of “Left Behind,” they commented, “We’re trying not to be too preachy.”

And that’s not all: USA Today, Mirabella, Movieguide, The Chicago Tribune and The Christian Herald also couldn’t stop themselves from talking about this much-awaited apocalyptic thriller! Here are some excerpts from interviews and reviews you may have missed:

In a “Where Are They Now?” article from the June 26th edition of “People Weekly,” Kirk Cameron talked about his exciting new project Left Behind: The Movie. Kirk’s mug also appeared on the cover of the Arts & Life Section of the “National Post” of June 12th. The title reads “A Bible story for atheists: Kirk Cameron is making a $17M movie about life after the rapture.”

In an interview with Margaret Storey of “The Christian Herald,” Kirk Cameron emphasized that Left Behind: The Movie is not a “thinly disguised sermon. Rather, it is a movie with a message that is going to make your head spin…It’s a movie packed with action and drama and a thought provoking message about God and the Bible.”

Chelsea Noble, Cameron’s wife, plays Hattie in the film. She commented, “I knew this was going to be a really exciting thriller, which was also scripturally right on and that it had to be brought to the big screen.”

In an interview with Rebecca Eckler of the National Post, Cameron stated, “You don’t have to be a Christian to be riveted [to this movie]…This movie is about searching for truth.” Eckler continued, explaining, “Even non-believers can see that the belief of Cameron and Noble — the believers — is believable.”

In a USA today cover story called “Saved by a best seller” writer Naci Hellmich focused on “2 novelists who spread the Word.” In the interview, LaHaye said many might have become Christians after reading Left Behind, the book. And he hopes more find Jesus after seeing The Movie. Amidst the millennium madness in movies and books (many of which predict that 2000 is the year of the apocalyse), LaHaye and Jenkins set the record straight by reminding viewers that neither their books or movie suggest 2000 is the year the world will end. “One of the major tenets of our belief is that not even Jesus knows the time and the hour of his return. Only God knows. We’ve set the books in the future and we don’t know if that’s next week or 50 years from now.”

I’m sure this isn’t the last that we’ll hear about this popular movie release. It’s great that LaHaye and Jenkins have not only added to the spiritual stir in pop culture, but have unabashedly brought Christ’s return and authority into the often all-too blurry religious buzz. The rapture may be the clear and frightening message that our world needs to hear.

Even before its in theaters, Left Behind: The Movie is available on video for viewing at home! Released on video October 31st, 2000, all Left Behind fans can scoop up their own copy before seeing it on the big screen.

In February 2001, Left Behind: The Movie will be in theaters all over the states. Movie-maker Peter Lalonde explains, “Our unique strategy is to release the video to the core audience first, believing it will create a Gideon’s army. With this army of faithful viewers equipped with a powerful evangelical tool, the theatrical release has the potential to be the greatest successes in Christian film history!”

Cloud Ten Pictures and Namesake Entertainment are asking Christians across America to help promote and support the theatrical release of Left Behind: The Movie. They plan to open the movie in every city in America and want to win the box office on opening weekend! In order to achieve such success, every video purchased will contain two discount coupons that will allow the video-owner and a friend to see the film at matinee price!

Moreover, Christians will have the chance to sponsor Left Behind: The Movie in their local theaters. Interested churches, ministries, businesspeople and individuals are joining hands to help pay for the cost of featuring “Left Behind” in local theaters. When ticket sales exceed the amount of their support, the sponsors receive their money back in full.

When born-again Christian Chelsea Noble first read Left Behind, the book, she shook her husband awake and said, “This has got to be a movie, and I want to play Hattie!” Miraculously, later both Cameron and Noble were offered parts in the film adaptation of the book!

Newcomer to film, Janaya Stephens won the hearts of her fellow actors on the first night of rehearsals. When Brad Johnson first saw her perform, he said, “This girl may very well steal the show!”

On the set, one of Brad Johnson’s best lines came after cameras stopped rolling. A crew- member noticed how much he loves doing action scenes, and Johnson jokingly commented, “Hugging and crying are okay, but I’m happiest when I have someone to punch.”

But, not only can tough-guy Brad Johnson punch, apparently he can dance too! When Andre van Heerden, Co-producer of Left Behind: The Movie, saw Brad Johnson dance with Cameron and Noble’s acting coach, he scoffed, “Great. He can dance too. I hate that guy!”

Brad Johnson’s rugged good looks won him a spot as the Marlboro man for many years! Whoa, cowboy!

One day, producer and writer Paul Lalonde got poor directions to one of the set locations. When he walked into the craft truck, no one looked familiar. He soon realized he was on the set of Soul Food, not Left Behind. He apologized but left with a muffin anyway!

Movie-makers Peter and Paul Lalonde have a movie motto: “It’s not a real movie until you blow something up.” And heat from the car explosion could be felt from over 200 yards away!

Planning is already underway for the film based on book two of the Left Behind series. Tribulation Force: The Movie is scheduled for release in fall of 2001!

The brothers from the Christian band Jake were dressed-up as policemen as extras in certain scenes. In costume one week, they walked into a local coffee shop where they were offered free coffee! Only later did they realize that the waitress thought they were real police officers.

One day during filming, part of the set almost floated away! After a deluge of rain, an Israeli bunker in a makeshift desert was in danger of becoming a river raft. Trucks pumped out the water in twelve-hour shifts for five days. Then, they brought in 100 tons of sand to re-make the desert!

For more inside info on Left Behind: The Movie, read about the cast and the soundtrack!