During a period of economic uncertainty "Professor Stephen Miles" (Gary Bayer) visits another college professor "Dr. Carl Klineman" (Malcon McCaiman) after class and learns that the next term has been canceled due to lack of funds. While they are talking an earthquake rattles the office and when Stephen looks up Dr. Klineman is gone. Not knowing what to make of it Stephen decides to drive home but on the way he stops for some groceries. Once there he is shocked to see how badly food prices have suddenly skyrocketed. Not long after arriving home, he and his wife "June Miles" (Alana Rader) decide to drive into the country to visit her father who isn't answering the phone. Along the way they encounter mobs who are rioting and vandalizing property. They also run out of gas and are picked up by a recently hired worker for June's father named "Gary Reed" (Jerry Houser). Although there is no trace of June's father, they do find a young woman hiding in the barn named "Cindy" (Sarah Rush) who tells them that both her mother and father along with June's father have disappeared right before her eyes. It's at this time that they realize that there have been strange disappearances all over the world and they are left to fend for themselves in a world that has become very chaotic. Anyway, rather than disclose the entire story I will just say that this was a pretty good apocalyptic film for its time. The acting was surprisingly good and I especially enjoyed the scenes involving the local sheriff, "Jackson 'Pug' Mckifer" (James Blendick). Still, it was obviously a low-budget production and there were some scenes involving the "Prime Minister" (Michael Amber) which weren't of the highest caliber. I also thought that just one film--lasting only 98 minutes--simply wasn't sufficient to fully address all of the information that is available on this particular subject. As a result certain significant events were condensed for the sake of time or money constraints when they could have easily made 2 or 3 movies out of the material they had. Still, this movie was a valiant effort and I believe the best way to enjoy this particular film is to keep an open mind. Again, this was a decent low-budget movie produced over 30 years ago on a topic that is somewhat controversial. While I don't necessarily accept everything about it, I certainly wouldn't want to denigrate anybody who happens to believe it. That said, I am able to give credit where credit is due and I rate it as slightly above average.
11 Reviews
Not bad but not good either!
mm-3916 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The movie is on a low budget, but well acted and directed. I did not mind the story about a group of people and how the characters react during the rapture. Years of the Beast drags a bit due to low productions values. The plague scenes were short. The story is realistic, I am sure mean peoples true natures will come out in a such hard times. I like how "Years of the Beast" portrays how the state can enter your home, take whatever it wants, and orders the characters pledge their belief in the state. I would not want to live in such hard times. I give "Years of the Beast" an six out of ten. I always wonder why the anti-Christ is portrayed as American?
Rules for surviving as a character in "Years of the Beast"
mjohnson807 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Back in the early 80's, many Christian communities felt that the only way to get nonbelievers to commit to the faith was to scare them with "the truth." Hence comes "Years of the Beast," a marvelous ode to scare tactics, right up there with Hell Houses and reparative therapy. For those who both are easily persuaded and already believe that everything in the Bible, no matter how obviously symbolic or metaphorical, is meant to be taken literally, this movie will affirm your beliefs. For those who take a rational approach to reading the Bible, you will get so many laughs.
And now, a guide to surviving "Years of the Beast."
1. Apparently, all the people of color get picked up in the rapture. There was one Black person in a baptismal scene, but he got raptured out of the plot after a couple of seconds. There was talk about the Chinese, but they are so sneaky, you never actually see them.
2. There are no Christians living in the cities, and no one with the potential to be saved who lives in the cities, so a firestorm can clear out most of the sinners. If you really loved Jesus, you would have gone out to the country and lived on a farm.
3. Women are lousy runners, bad planners, and great cooks. Fortunately, the men drive most of the action and make the important decisions.
4. Actually, all White people are bad runners, especially in the forest. Fortunately, they are also great marksmen.
5. There is not a single moment of suspense that cannot be underscored with an overbearing orchestra and accented with a crash cymbal.
6. When survivors of the rapture get killed after converting to Christianity, they go to heaven. Yes, they could surrender to the authorities, get killed, and get to heaven faster, but that would cut the movie in half.
7. The best way to massacre meager handfuls of unarmed, (marginally) nonviolent Christians is with WWII-era tanks and fighter planes.
P.S. Great drinking game: Every time you hear a crash cymbal, take a shot. You won't remember seeing the movie afterwards, but it'll get you drunk.
And now, a guide to surviving "Years of the Beast."
1. Apparently, all the people of color get picked up in the rapture. There was one Black person in a baptismal scene, but he got raptured out of the plot after a couple of seconds. There was talk about the Chinese, but they are so sneaky, you never actually see them.
2. There are no Christians living in the cities, and no one with the potential to be saved who lives in the cities, so a firestorm can clear out most of the sinners. If you really loved Jesus, you would have gone out to the country and lived on a farm.
3. Women are lousy runners, bad planners, and great cooks. Fortunately, the men drive most of the action and make the important decisions.
4. Actually, all White people are bad runners, especially in the forest. Fortunately, they are also great marksmen.
5. There is not a single moment of suspense that cannot be underscored with an overbearing orchestra and accented with a crash cymbal.
6. When survivors of the rapture get killed after converting to Christianity, they go to heaven. Yes, they could surrender to the authorities, get killed, and get to heaven faster, but that would cut the movie in half.
7. The best way to massacre meager handfuls of unarmed, (marginally) nonviolent Christians is with WWII-era tanks and fighter planes.
P.S. Great drinking game: Every time you hear a crash cymbal, take a shot. You won't remember seeing the movie afterwards, but it'll get you drunk.
Not even a first coming.
eatenbyworms13 August 2006
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?
One of my favorite end time movies!
DonWahl25 May 2006
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.
Best Apocalypse Movie from this Era
spwinkler-113 May 2014
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.
One of the best Christian "End-Times" movies!
Movie Hound Video20 May 2001
This movie was released in 1981 and still is one of the better ones today. It may not have the Hollywood flash of "LEFT BEHIND or OMEGA CODE" but the message is more faithful to the bible. The movie covers the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory and uses scripture throughout the movie to help the viewers to understand what and why things are happening. The movie covers the whole period from just before the Rapture to the Second Coming Of Christ. The special effects are good and with believable characters, this all comes together as a great witnessing tool.
Great Movie
kasmith223931 October 2005
This is one of the best Christian movies I've seen. I love older end times dramas. Newer ones are great, but there is just something about older ones that I love. This movie was the first end times drama I ever saw and I have good memories of it. It's been several years since I last saw it and want to see it again. The story is really simple and straightforward, and there are no major special affects. However, it's a fascinating depiction of the end times. I find older Christian movies made in the 80s to be especially spooky and exciting. I hope everyone who likes Christian movies gets a chance to see this one. You will enjoy it's simplicity and style and will enjoy watching it again and again.
The best end-time movie
slowrollr10 January 2023
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!
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!
One of the better movies of its genre
gallopingghost19 December 2022
This movie is actually an adaptation of a book of the same name by Leon Chambers, which is quite difficult to find nowadays.
It's not as influential as A Thief in the Night, nor as popular as the Left Behind series was. Years of the Beast manages to cover the Tribulation period (seven years in dispensationalism) in a single movie. No mean feat, and sets itself apart in the genre.
The movie has its issues; poor lighting at times, and some of the acting is stilted. Certainly the special effects are showing their age.
This is a pre-tribulation Rapture movie, however it doesn't dwell on the Rapture as much as many other end time films. It's more concerned with believers trying to survive the Tribulation, which may be of interest for those who hold to a post-Trib position.
It manages to narrate geopolitical events without needing to have its main characters present for every significant event. It generally takes a smaller scale view. Our protagonists become the target of vengeful local law enforcement and militia, which is probably more realistic. These are things, the Left Behind series just couldn't do.
I know I'm comparing movies a lot, but one more point. This movie doesn't rely on shock value like Thief in the Night does; and it manages to tell its story in a much more succinct manner than Left Behind. Whether this makes it better is up to individual judgment. However it stands apart because of it, and worthy viewing for those interested in Bible prophecy.
It's not as influential as A Thief in the Night, nor as popular as the Left Behind series was. Years of the Beast manages to cover the Tribulation period (seven years in dispensationalism) in a single movie. No mean feat, and sets itself apart in the genre.
The movie has its issues; poor lighting at times, and some of the acting is stilted. Certainly the special effects are showing their age.
This is a pre-tribulation Rapture movie, however it doesn't dwell on the Rapture as much as many other end time films. It's more concerned with believers trying to survive the Tribulation, which may be of interest for those who hold to a post-Trib position.
It manages to narrate geopolitical events without needing to have its main characters present for every significant event. It generally takes a smaller scale view. Our protagonists become the target of vengeful local law enforcement and militia, which is probably more realistic. These are things, the Left Behind series just couldn't do.
I know I'm comparing movies a lot, but one more point. This movie doesn't rely on shock value like Thief in the Night does; and it manages to tell its story in a much more succinct manner than Left Behind. Whether this makes it better is up to individual judgment. However it stands apart because of it, and worthy viewing for those interested in Bible prophecy.
Dated but Worthwhile
buick-1992927 March 2020
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