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Entertainment Media Analysis Report
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MAR2012.011

(1985), NR [R-NR*] (81.25min)

Final Score
Analysis Date
Date Posted
Influence Density
MinMax
February 4, 2012
February 4, 2012
52
0.96
-100

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Christian Long Distance

SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary.



(1985), NR [R-NR*] ... just under the R-equivalent threshold of 54 and below out of 100


Production (US): Gospel Communications, Gospel Films, Inc.
Director(s): Erik Jacobson
Producer(s): Jim Kempner, Erik Jacobson, Joe Sarmiento, Hope Burseth
Written by: Erik Jacobson
Cinematography/Camera: Don Burgess
Film Editing: Timothy Huntley
Viewed on Gospel Communications Home Entertainment DVD


When finished with the number crunching I was amazed at just how violent this film is. Not because of the intensity or severity of individual episodes of violence and/or crime but because of the sheer numbers of examples of violence and crime of lesser severity (see our CAP Rule of 1000 publication for more information about this content loading technique). There is no gore nor guts splattered on the wall behind a victim but there is violence nonetheless. Some of episodes of violence such as the spousal abuse are rather disturbing.

In a large part due to the violence content and due to the drinking and drunkenness, this film earned a final score of 52 which places it just under the R-equivalent threshold of 54 and below out of 100, thus the "R-NR" CAP rating.

In this true story, Los Angeles native Raul Ries (Tom Silardi) has been brought up in a dysfunctional home due to the abuse by his drunkard father and the cowardice of his mother. [Rev. 21:8] Ries learns to use intimidation to get his way. He is often in trouble for assaulting other high school students and is expelled as a danger to them. On his way off school property on the first day of his latest expulsion Ries joins a Kung Fu studio.

Using Kung Fu to compensate for his own insecurity, Ries demonstrates his bravado and lands in court for assault with a deadly weapon. Given a choice to serve time or serve his country, Reis joins the Marines and becomes a top notch warrior in Vietnam ... until the pressure breaks him down and he threatens the life of his captain if the captain sends Reis back into the fray one more time. Psychiatrists try to resolve Ries' intense hatred and explosiveness but to no avail. By inexplicable means Ries is given an honorable discharge from the Marines.

Nearly as soon as Reis returns to his high school sweetheart, Sharon (Joy Vogel) she becomes pregnant and the two wed. Soon Ries gets fed up with his grocery store clerk job and starts a Kung Fu studio for which he had been training since high school. Episode after episode of unfaithfulness, lying and confrontation with almost anyone who spoke to him Ries plans to kill Joy and himself if she made good on her threat to leave him.

One can probably see the multitude of opportunities for the story to build ... and it does. But I will not spoil the story any further. This is a production of lower value which might be on the same level as a college project but what it has to say is bold and possibly life-changing for some. Gil Gerard (Six Million Dollar Man™) co-stars but his part is so minor that his obviously seasoned talents are of little value to the total production.

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Following are brief discussions of the content per individual content investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report, the heart of the CAP Analysis Model, is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film.

Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100
The magnitude or total envelope of the violent and/or criminal nature in this film drained the starting 100 points in this content investigation area to zero. The violence/crime content of this film is so extensive that even summarizing the content would take up too much space here. Please look to the listing in the Findings section for a full accounting of the violence/crime content.

However, it might be advisable to take enough space to remind our readers of God's position regarding violence. In many verses throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament God speaks darkly of violence. In particular, with Proverb 16:29 God warns that violence can be "catching": that violence can lead one into the path that is not good. And as if to say God's Wisdom is measurable by man's wisdom, four professional public health agencies plagiarized God's Word by publishing their finding that warns viewing violence in and as entertainment can, among other things, lead the viewer, especially the young, to real life violence and can lead the viewer to believe violence is an acceptable means of settling conflict.

Impudence/Hate (I) - 26 out of 100
There is no profanity whatsoever and I was impressed the writers and performers were able to communicate the intended emotions without profanity. But other matters of impudence and/or hate drag the content investigation area score into the R-equivalent realm. The same matter of available space limits what I can offer in summary here. Again, please look to the listing in the Findings section for a full accounting of the impudence/hate content of this film.

God warned us of seven things He hates in Proverb 6:16 - 19. The first in that list is "A proud look" or "haughty eyes." In other words, arrogance / impudence. On a side note, impudence is the strongest presence in modern entertainment as revealed by our Attitude: In Perspective report.

Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100
There is no nudity of any kind in the entire 81.25 minutes of programming and not one character gets in bed with any other, but there is an episode of implied immoral intercourse leading to pregnancy. Note that there is nothing at all immoral about the baby but there is in the act which brought they baby about since the characters were not married. Even if they were, such activity is not for the big screen. [Hebr. 13:4]

Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 22 out of 100
Adult drinking and drunkenness.. Teen drinking and drunkenness. And smoking. Cinematic elements found highly influential by the American College of Physicians (ACP).

A 2002 study by the American College of Physicians (ACP) revealed that adolescent exposure to drinking in and as entertainment undeniably leads to abuse of alcohol among underage viewers. The finding entitled Relation Between Parental Restrictions on Movies and Adolescent Use of Tobacco and Alcohol reports that of 4544 youths from grades 5 through 8 of fifteen Vermont and New Hampshire middle schools (90% of the youths were under fourteen years old) only 16% were completely restricted in their entertainment diets. Within the ACP study population, the prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was

  • 46% for those with no viewing restrictions
  • 16% for those with partial viewing restrictions
  • four percent for those with complete viewing restrictions. [Eph. 5:18]

    There is nothing to say that viewing smoking in and as entertainment does not carry the same danger of influence as viewing drinking. Actually, the same matter of behavior implantation applies to any behavior demonstrated in and as entertainment, including good behavior.

    Offense to God (O) - 71 out of 100
    After Ries asked Joy to marry him, Joy told him she wanted to marry a Christian. At that "prompt" Ries told Joy he was a Christian and used that as a tool to get her to have sex with him. Ries lied about being Christian and used it to influence Joy to participate in an immoral act. [1 Cor. 8:9] Ries placed a stumblingblock in Joy's path. Once the pair were married, Ries practiced adulterous interests repeatedly. [Ezek; 23:27]

    Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
    No murders or suicides were noted. Ries planned to murder his wife and then commit suicide but only completed murders and suicides are incorporated into this investigation area. Attempted/planned murder and/or suicide are incorporated into the Wanton Violence/Crime content investigation area as are defensive killings and deaths by war and police action.

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    SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)

    If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

    CHAPTER/VERSE

  • Rev. 21:8 But the [unforgiven] fearful [deilos {di-los'}; timid, cowardly], and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers [sexually immoral], and sorcerers [all forms of evil/magic to force or do harm], and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ["Timid" as used in this verse does not mean humble or meek. It means cowering in fear when, e.g., someone threatens your loved one and you hide in the shadows to save yourself as your loved one is victimized.]
  • Prov. 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. [The issue is the violence, the 'way that is not good' no matter how "small" or "fantasy" or "justified" the violence might seem, and its "leading" effect on the observer. "A violent man" can be any character of any age, any gender, human or not in the act of committing (demonstrating in the case of entertainment) violent behavior/action whether for good or evil OR the violent behaviors/actions themselves. Such exposure can and does embolden the viewer into aggression, especially youth. It took years for the American professional health community to finally affirm, probably without knowing it, that which God told us in 1 Cor. 15:33 below. See also Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children: Congressional Public Health Summit for more information. Their findings include:
    --> Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior.
    --> Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs.
    --> Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behavior and a mistrust of others.
    --> Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed.
    Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.]
  • Prov. 6:16 - 19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. [The NIV terms "a proud look" as "haughty eyes." In either case, arrogance/impudence.]
  • Hebr. 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure [which includes before AND during marriage AND gender], for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. [Whether we believe it or not. Whether we like it or not. Whether we care or not.]
  • Eph. 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [Since "drunk" is methusko {meth-oos'-ko}: to intoxicate; make drunk; to get drunk; become intoxicated, "wine" can be any intoxicating substance including illegal drugs or abuse of prescription drugs. The issue is do not abuse the body by intoxicating it [1 Cor. 6:19]. Though it is not a sin to drink, it is a sin to get drunk OR to influence to get drunk OR to drink in defiance such as underage drinking.
  • 1 Cor. 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. ["Liberty" - exousia {ex-oo-see'-ah}: the power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases. "Stumblingblock" - proskomma {pros'-kom-mah}: that over which a soul stumbles i.e. by which is caused to sin.]
  • Ezek. 23:27 So I will put a stop to the lewdness [zimmah {zim-maw'} or zammah {zam-maw'}: not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry] and prostitution you began in Egypt. You will not look on these things with longing or remember Egypt anymore. ["Egypt" can be anywhere, including here.]

    Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry

  • Jer. 37:9 This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves, thinking, 'The Babylonians [the destroyers from within] will surely leave us.' They will not!
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend what is vile, embrace it, enjoy it, want it, submit to it.]
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil [kakov: of a bad nature, not such as it ought to be] communications corrupt good manners.
  • Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among us], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. [Offend: skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo} - scandalize; to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away.]
  • Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [let no sin rule over me].
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]

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    As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.
  • FINDINGS / SCORING:
    (The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)

    Fury to Freedom (1985) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100
  • reckless driving, repeatedly
  • shotgun to murder wife and self, twice
  • loading shotgun, twice
  • beating, repeatedly
  • street fight - defensive
  • fight with broken bottle as weapon
  • file footage of Vietnam war with injuries and death
  • firearm threat to kill superior officer
  • intense arrogance at psychiatric help with threats to kill
  • series of violent images
  • petty theft
  • flashback of war scenes
  • spousal abuse, repeatedly of varying intensity
  • kung fu violence
  • evidence of home violence (fist-sized holes in drywall)
  • threat to kill wife then self in front of toddler kids
  • anger destruction of home contents
  • lying in wait to kill with shotgun

    Impudence/Hate (I) - 26 out of 100
  • spousal abuse injuries
  • son saying he hates father and mother individually
  • teen arrogance at mother
  • lying, repeatedly
  • physical fight between son and father with son threatening to kill father
  • cheating
  • daughter arguing with mother's wisdom
  • approaching with intent to rob
  • defiance of parental instructions for love
  • assault for money
  • portrayal of intense hatred
  • marital friction, repeatedly

    Sexual Immorality (S) - 92 out of 100
  • implied intercourse by unmarried couple
  • pregnancy by immoral sex

    Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 22 out of 100
  • drunkenness, repeatedly
  • drinking, repeatedly
  • smoking dope in high school bathroom
  • teen drinking party

    Offense to God (O) - 71 out of 100
  • lie about being Christian to influence girl for sex
  • adulterous interest, repeatedly

    Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100
  • none noted















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    There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.





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    * CAP Equivalence to MPAA Rating Scale:
    Please note our new manner of indicating a film's Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating in comparison with the CAP equivalence such as "PG-13 [R-13]." The first term is the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating. The second term [in brackets] indicates that which the film earned under the CAP analysis model. In the example, "PG-13 [R-13]" indicates the MPAA rated the film PG-13 but the film earned a CAP final score in the scoring range earned by R-rated movies in the comparative baseline database. Other comparative terms used might be "PG [13-PG]", "G [PG-G] or even 'PG-13 [PG]" as was the case for Alien vs Predator. I doubt there will ever be a "G [R]" used, but only time will tell. The CAP analysis model is Rock-solid. The MPAA is not.

    The current CAP to MPAA** nomenclature is:

    For G rated Films with
    G equivalence: G
    PG equivalence: PG-G
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-G
    R equivalence: R-G<
    For PG rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-PG
    PG equivalence: PG
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG
    R equivalence: R-PG
    For PG-13 rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-13
    PG equivalence: PG(13)
    PG-13 equivalence: PG-13
    R equivalence: R-13
    For R rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-R
    PG equivalence: PG-R
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-R
    R equivalence: R
    For NR rated Films with
    G equivalence: G-NR
    PG equivalence: PG-NR
    PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR
    R equivalence: R-NR
    ** G, PG, PG-13 and R are registered trademarks of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).




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