Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ben Stein goes on a quest to prove scientists are being persecuted for suggesting God exists, and connects it to the Berlin Wall for some reason.

🍿 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Academic Freedom Under Scrutiny

Ben Stein hosts and narrates this documentary, setting out to investigate claims of suppressed academic freedom in the sciences. He focuses specifically on the debate surrounding intelligent design and the perceived hostility towards scientists and academics who explore or support it. The film argues that questioning Darwinian evolution can lead to professional repercussions.

Interviews and Perspectives

Stein interviews a variety of individuals, including scientists, journalists, and academics from both sides of the intelligent design debate. Notable figures include Richard Dawkins, a staunch advocate of evolutionary theory, and proponents of intelligent design who claim to have faced discrimination for their views. The interviews aim to highlight the alleged bias against intelligent design within the scientific community.

Linking Darwinism to Historical Atrocities

The documentary controversially draws connections between Darwinism and historical events such as the Holocaust and eugenics. This is presented as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of a purely materialistic worldview and the dangers of suppressing alternative perspectives. These claims have been widely criticized as misleading and historically inaccurate.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben Stein (Ben Stein): As the host, Ben Stein investigates academic freedom, particularly concerning intelligent design, interviewing proponents and opponents.
• Richard Dawkins (Richard Dawkins): A prominent evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins is interviewed as an opponent of intelligent design, expressing his views on Darwinism and atheism.
• Guillermo Gonzalez (Guillermo Gonzalez): An astrophysicist, Guillermo Gonzalez is interviewed as a proponent of intelligent design, discussing academic freedom and scientific inquiry.
• P.Z. Myers (P.Z. Myers): A biologist and blogger, P.Z. Myers is interviewed as a critic of intelligent design, advocating for the separation of science and religion.
• Caroline Crocker (Caroline Crocker): Caroline Crocker is featured as one of the academics who faced repercussions for discussing intelligent design in her teaching.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Stephen C. Meyer: “We don’t know what caused life to arise. Did it arise by purely undirected process? Or did it arise by some kind of intelligent guidance or design? And the rules of science are being applied to actually foreclose one of the two possible answers that very basic, and fundamental, and important question.” – Meyer questions whether scientific rules are unfairly restricting the exploration of intelligent design as a possibility for the origin of life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5M
• Domestic Gross: $7.7M
• Worldwide Gross: $7.7M

💥 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie wanting to understand both sides, but it felt very one-sided. Ben Stein uses a lot of shocking images to try and make you think that Darwinism is evil. I did like seeing scientists discussing the topic. But in the end, I felt like I had been told what to think, instead of being allowed to decide for myself. The connections it tries to make are incredibly weak.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Those interested in the intelligent design debate.”
  • “Viewers curious about the relationship between science and religion.”
  • “Individuals seeking a controversial perspective on academic freedom.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic material related to science, religion, and politics.”
  • “Disturbing images, including historical footage of concentration camps.”
  • “Strong opinions and potentially offensive viewpoints.”
  • “Brief smoking scene.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A manipulative and disingenuous piece of propaganda, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is more interested in pushing a religious agenda than fostering true academic debate.
• Variety: “Ultimately, ‘Expelled’ is more about scoring points than opening minds, and its heavy-handed tactics undermine any chance of genuine dialogue.

Audience Reactions

The film raises important questions about academic freedom.: Some viewers found the movie thought-provoking despite its biases.

It offers a platform for intelligent design advocates.: Supporters of intelligent design appreciated the film’s attempt to challenge evolutionary theory.

Overall Consensus: The film is highly controversial, with many critics finding it to be biased and misleading, while some viewers appreciate its attempt to challenge mainstream scientific views.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Preview screenings were held exclusively for churches and Christian groups, requiring viewers to sign non-disclosure agreements after a negative review leaked.”
• “Evolutionary biologist P.Z. Myers was ejected from a screening, but his guests were able to view the film anonymously.”
• “The film draws parallels between Darwinism and ideologies like Nazism and Communism, a connection that has been widely criticized.”

🖥️ How to Watch Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed?

As of October 2024, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as options may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, you might like these similar films:

• Creation (2009): A biographical drama about Charles Darwin’s personal struggles while developing his theory of evolution, offering a different perspective on the subject.
• Religulous (2008): A satirical documentary where Bill Maher explores and questions various religious beliefs, similar to ‘Expelled’s’ approach to science and intelligent design.
• Death of a Nation (2018): Another documentary by Dinesh D’Souza, ‘Death of a Nation’, makes controversial comparisons between historical events and contemporary politics, similar to the approach used in ‘Expelled’.

🛒 Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Related Products

• The God Delusion: Richard Dawkins’ critique of religion, which is discussed and analyzed in the film.
• The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery: Authored by Guillermo Gonzalez. Intelligent Design that the film talks about.
• Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design: Explores the Cambrian explosion and the arguments for intelligent design.

🎧 Soundtrack

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All Along the Watchtower” – performed by Bob Dylan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

R.C. Sproul / Ben Stein interview Part 1 of 3

Ever wondered what Ben Stein was REALLY thinking when he made ‘Expelled’? This interview dives deep into his perspective on evolution and the film’s message. It’s a fascinating peek inside his head!

A Scientist’s Critique of Ben Stein’s Expelled

Think ‘Expelled’ told the whole story? Think again! This scientist tears apart Ben Stein’s arguments point by point. It’s a must-watch for a balanced view on a controversial topic.

The Scientific Method And Ben Stein’s ‘Expelled’ Movie

Want to see ‘Expelled’ taken apart from a scientific standpoint? This video dissects the movie using the scientific method, providing a thought-provoking alternative viewpoint. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged!

SEX-pelled -No Intelligence Allowed (Expelled parody)

Want a laugh at the expense of ‘Expelled’? This hilarious parody skewers the movie’s premise with sharp wit and satire. It’s short, sweet, and totally worth a watch if you need a chuckle.

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