Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)

Ben Stein examines the issue of academic freedom and decides that there is none when it comes to the debate over intelligent design.

Director:

Nathan Frankowski

Writers:

Kevin Miller, Ben Stein

Stars:

Ben Stein, Lili Asvar, Peter Atkins

3 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ben Stein	...	Self - Host
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lili Asvar	...	Sara
Peter Atkins	...	Self
Hector Avalos	...	Self
Doug Axe	...	Self
Adam Behr	...	Multiple animation voices (voice)
David Berlinski	...	Self
Walter Bradley	...	Self
Bruce Chapman	...	Self
Anderson Cooper	...	Self (archive footage)
Caroline Crocker	...	Self
Richard Dawkins	...	Self
William Dembski	...	Self (as William Albert Dembski)
Daniel C. Dennett	...	Self (as Daniel Dennett)
Michael Egnor	...	Self

Storyline

Academic freedom is being suppressed, says Ben Stein. He contends that professors from around the United States are being fired from their jobs for promoting, or even exploring the possibility of, intelligent design as an alternative to Darwinism. Stein interviews the expelled academics and other supporters of intelligent design. He also interviews the scientists in the mainstream, who support Darwinism. Stein links Darwinism to Nazism, Communism, eugenics and abortion. Vintage clips of educational films and Hollywood movies are used to illustrate points in a satirical way.

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Plot Keywords:

propaganda | creationism | christian fundamentalism | paranoia | darwinism | 

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Taglines:

Big science has expelled smart new ideas from the classroom...What they forgot is that every generation has its Rebel!

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, some disturbing images and brief smoking

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Anti-Defamation League has condemned the film for its linking of evolutionary theory and the Holocaust: "Using the Holocaust in order to tarnish those who promote the theory of evolution is outrageous and trivializes the complex factors that led to the mass extermination of European Jewry." Promoting the movie in Canada, Ben Stein told the Vancouver Sun that "It's none of their [expletive] business."

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Goofs

During an interview (at about 27 minutes), the drink on the far right is half full, and then appears completely full in the next shot.

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Quotes

Ben Stein: But will eradicating religion really lead to a modern utopia? Let me try to imagine that and let's let history be our guide.

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Connections

Features The Factor (1996)

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Soundtracks

The Incorrigible Parisian
Written and Performed by Steve Ford
Courtesy of Steve Ford Music

User Reviews

The Absolute Worst

"Expelled" is yet another of a slew of films pandering to the ludicrous fundamentalist Christian notion that everyone who doesn't drink their Koolaid is "persecuting" them. Critical thinking and the scientific method are not welcome in the fundo world-view, instead we should accept that science is a fierce contest between God and Darwin in which both sides hold equal weight, and should be offered to students so that they can make "informed choices".

This is, of course, utter nonsense. Science is not a democracy and religion has no place in the science classroom. Ben Stein's craptacular excuse for a documentary film is an utter, shameful disgrace. He presents no evidence in support of intelligent design, shamelessly quote-mines, and so obviously edits the interviews with Dawkins and Shermer as to beggar belief.His own statement that "Science gets people killed" is testament to his aggressive ignorance and moral bankruptcy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crossroads

Filming Locations:

Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,970,848, 20 April 2008

Gross USA:

$7,720,487

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,720,487

Company Credits

Production Co:

Premise Media Corporation, Rampant Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 97 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1