MovieChat Forums > Six: The Mark Unleashed (2004) Discussion > youth-restricted?!?

youth-restricted?!?

posted 20 years ago by fakeMacGyver
25 replies | jump to latest

I'm glad to have been able to rent this at the nearby "Blockbuster" just a little while ago and I'm really interested in seeing this. It's very cool that I have seen "Revelation", "Omega Code II", "Hangman's Curse" and "Gone" at the store as well. I found it very strange, though, that someone there decided that this film was worthy of their own YRV sticker - 'Youth Restricted Viewing'. That's associated with really hard "R" flicks with extensive nudity or cursing/violence. Surely this must be a mistake and, from a few reviews I have seen, it was written that there's nothing overly violent.

I questioned the people there about this, if a mistake was made. I think I can safely say that there won't be any Christian film like this -- I rarely see this type in the "Blockbuster" mentioned anyway. Nobody seemed to know or have a good answer and basically shrugged it off. Well, I'll just see if I can leave my thoughts at their website. With the YRV sticker on it, a teen couldn't even rent it if he/she wanted to and I think that's not right.

On a side note: I noticed in the lone-review here from 'Vindibudd', he mentioned that he wasn't sure why this was called "Six". I know that I have read about the reason for this somewhere and it's because it's supposed to be the first part of a trilogy. The final, of course, being "Six Six Six" (or "Six-hundred Sixty-Six . . .don't know how it might end up), the number of the beast.

I hope that this does very well and there really will be the two follow-ups.

- Brian

[–] Flmbff 20 years ago

Hi fakeMacGyver!

Thanks for your comments on SIX. I am the film's editor (and a co-producer on the film). I think the film must have been given that rating due to the scenes of torture by electrocution as well as the execution scenes (which do NOT actually show anyone being killed on camera). Of course, you know, having seen the film, that these scenes are quite mild (and in fact have been broadcast on domestic and international television already in their unedited original form), but these scenes could trouble young children.

I also edited a film entitled TIME CHANGER, which was clearly a rated G film, but the ratings board gave it a PG due to "thematic elements." I think that a Christian film that suggests that there is a place called Hell (and further implies that certain behaviors can gain you entrance to this place) is judged much harsher than a secular film in which someone says "Go to Hell." There's a double standard at work here and I think TIME CHANGER and SIX have suffered as a result.

I do want to say that the violence in SIX is rather mild for the secular audience, but is strong for a Christian film. Having saadi that, I think most people will have no problem dealing with the film's more violent moments. People are used to seeing much worse on TV every day. Those of us who put the film together felt that we needed to portray the violence in the story in a fairly realistic fashion in order to drive home the film's message of faith. I don't think our violent moments are gratuitous at all, but I would suggest that parents view the film before they show it to children under 15 years of age.

--Jeff--

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] sgmackenzie 20 years ago

As an avid editor myself that has worked on both sides of the fence I believe that this film was a definate step in the right direction. The biggest problem with Christian films is they never seem as tight or as gritty as any secular work. That should be able to be accomplished with the pool of talent around but I see the fact that in production allot of times the script is sometimes too comparibly wholesome and out of touch. Going from there the shots are generally more film school textbook fare when they could find more creativity regardless of the budget. Secular productions are usually almost always more agressive in finding an original take on something and putting an original stamp on it. Sometimes the Covenant based material is afraid to show the negative themes in gritty context. The sin is not shown in a gritty way before it is inevitably overcome. I believe as in a western, your good guy is only as good as the bad guy is bad. Until a Christian film can cross over and stand toe to toe and shot by shot with a comparitively budgeted secular movie then I will hear the same complaints that it is preachy and predictable. Most of the time the material looks like a made for TV movie and if it looked better then even the predictability of the message would not matter as most movies are very predictable. The Christian Community needs to come together on a project and create a movie that is not necessarily rated G but reaches out and ministers to people and will stand on equal footing and not be excused because of the sub-genre. I fully realize that there would be allot of protest because it may be to dark for some but in the end a movie like that will pull in people to the kingdom and reach out to the sick. The film community needs to gain acceptance so it can evangelize and entertain at the same level that truly worthless and detrimental films do and take for granted.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Flmbff 20 years ago

My name is Jeffrey Lee Hollis. I AM the film's editor. I also edited several other films. I'm not sure why you're calling me a liar, but I assure you that I am the film's editor.
--Jeff--

[–] pbb5652 20 years ago

Flmbff,

I think you might be able to help me answer a question since there is a good chance you will know who I'm talking about. When I was in college at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas I met a guy at an FCA meeting I believe it was who was a producer of Christian films. He later filmed a movie there on campus that if I remember right was about a Christian getting involved with a philosophy club and debating an atheist. I was wondering if you might know who I'm talking about or what the name of the movie was because I don't seem to remember.

[–] Flmbff 20 years ago

pbb5652,

I know exactly who you're talking about! The film is END OIF THE HARVEST and the director is Rich Christiano. I later worked with him on a film called TIME CHANGER. Rich is a great guy and we're preppring two films for next year.

If you'd like to contact Rich, you should go to TimeChangerMovie.com and look up his e-mail address. You could also visit his other Website ChristianMovies.com, where you can buy a copy of END OF THE HARVEST, which is a solid little film. It also stars the director of SIX, Kevin Downes.

--Jeff--

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] sundance7490 20 years ago

That's really weird about the YRV sticker. I mean, I bought just a couple of weeks ago at a video store on DVD, and I'm only 14. It didn't disturb me in anyway at all, unless they mean younger than teens. Come to think of it, when I was twelve I bought the whole Thief in The Night series, I'm really into the End Times, and that had a lot of guillotine shots, although that series was a lot better than SIX.

Silly Creatures, red cloaks are for kids!

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] JasAce 20 years ago

Why does there always have to be some idiots that find a topic they don't understand, and can not really come up with anything debatable or even good to say about the movie or in this case the Editor. So they try to start something with the person claiming they worked on this movie? This is a VERY Popular site and I bet other actors, directors, producers and so on visit this site. He just happens to be one of the few that actually admits to working on a film cuz he is proud of it and its messege. Unlike most the crap that comes out in Hollywood these days.
I have never seen this movie, but after seeing Stephen Baldwin interviewed at the Republican Convention tonight I just might rent it. I was really impressed he said what he did and Stood up for what he believes in. America would be a much better place if we had more like him that Stood up and didn't allow the sins to continue in the main stream of the entertainment industry. I'm happy for him and I hope the best in his future career in movies he will actually be proud to make.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] LARRYLOVE711 20 years ago

kenuest.. stop hating. let dude be who he is... remarkable how you've thrown the label "christian" group into a conversation where no one has even claimed to be a christian yet. LOL!!

Personal responsibility for personal behavior

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] sundance7490 20 years ago

I'm a Christian, and proud of it. Has anyone here seen The Morning After? This is sort of a potential sequel isn't it? I mean, it has the same stars, except for Brad Heller.

My God, what was I thinking? I want my five months back!

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] sundance7490 19 years ago

What're you talking about? The morning after is a christian film! Sure I watch a few rated R movies, but if it wasn't for the cussing or the nakedness, these movies would be immpeccable. Wait a minute, or is it the moment after?

Leave it to Beaver...and you'll be sorry you did!

[–] kellykoop 19 years ago

Brad Heller is in "The Moment After"; he just looks completely different in it...he has hair, a goatee and is wearing glasses. (he played Jacob Krause in it)

[–] sundance7490 19 years ago

What I meant was the characters they were playing, even though David White is now the bad guy, and Kevin Downes is now the good guy. Brad Heller on the other hand is nowhere near being like Jacob Krause again.

Leave it to Beaver...and you'll be sorry you did!

[–] kellykoop 19 years ago

Gotcha! I have to admit, it was odd seeing White as a (sort of) bad guy in this one...he's always played a great "good" guy, but the change shows his diversity as an actor.

According to "The Making of..." for this film, they tried to talk Heller out of playing the part he played in this one, but he really wanted to play it. When he agreed to shave his head, they let him have the part. I thought he was great in the role...very creepy (and I mean that as a compliment to his acting ability, btw).

I like these three actors and would like to see them in more films, although, I think Downes is getting more into the directing side.

[–] sundance7490 19 years ago

I'm sorry to say I think Brad Heller totally works as a bad guy. He kind of stunk as a good guy. I sure hope the 144,000 don't preach the gospel like him. He's sounded exactly like a typical preacher always quoting verses, but my favorite line throughout the whole "The Moment After" is when he goes, "I'm fine, thanks for asking". Or you know what? He would even have worked as Brody.

And I have the DVD for SIX. I thought the making of was awesome. Monte Perlin is great as an actor and a stuntman. You know, I wonder how many people in the movie are actually christians. I called Christiancinema.com and wasn't really given any details, but the man that answered told me for sure Brad Heller isn't a Christian, but while making these movies he definitely asked a lot of questions. Maybe it's a good sign.

Leave it to Beaver...and you'll be sorry you did!

[–] Pop_238 18 years ago

Great job man. The only religious flick I've ever genuienly enjoyed before this was Ten Commandments. (not a huge fan of Passion)

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] NewYorkRipper 14 years ago

Personally think the YRV sticker was well justified.

While the torture scenes and beheadings weren't exactly gruesome and more was implied than actually shown, you still wouldn't want your kiddies to see that - just a little traumatic.

Likewise with the "thematic elements" of hell, despair, dark and gritty and seedy locations and so on.

Personally even after studying the cover a while and finally deciding to take it up to the counter to pay in my local Christian bookstore, I felt more than a little awkward when the guy on the till, who was a through and through all-American happy-go-lucky although maybe just a little camp type Christian storeowner gave a little bit of a frown and worried look and in his funny voice with a concerned tone asked if I REALLY wanted to buy this movie as it was maybe a little too much in comparison to the other wimpy Christian DVD's they had on sale.

Although if in Blockbuster this got at YRV sticker I reckon there deffo should be more with them slapped on.

[–] Bob_Zerunkel 12 years ago

The beheadings were well done and very effective. That's for sure.

But little kids routinely watch Jason shove a knife into people, Freddie slash people, Arnold shoot everybody, Stallone beat the tar out of people, and Tom and Jerry beat each other silly. All of that happens on screen.

The History Channel routinely shows piles and piles of dead emaciated bodies of Jews killed by Hitler. No restrictions there. On TV, I have seen news clips of pirates lined up and shot in the head by Chinese police. No restrictions there. Do you remember watching the Towers burn and come crashing down on live TV? Do you remember when that Washington quarterback snapped his leg on the field and they showed it over and over and over. Truly grotesque. No restrictions. There are lots of other examples of true-to-life tragedies. They show them all.

I can understand your viewpoint only if you agree that thousands of other popular films and TV shows should also be restricted.

I was much more grossed out by the deaths in Casino than the executions in this movie. I've seen Casino playing at all hours of the day and night including Saturday and Sunday morning. What sounds worse to you: a guy who is beheaded off screen or a guy who is killed by tightening a vise on his head until his eyes pop out on screen?

This is a very mild movie.