Secret of the Cave
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Rated: PG
Release Date: 9/1/2007
Running Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes
When Roy Wallace’s dad leaves him in Ireland with family for the summer, Roy braces himself for a long, boring visit. But almost immediately after he arrives, strange events begin happening in the town, starting with a runaway horse and cart carrying the coffin of old Alistair McGlocklin. Unexplained acts of kindness, shadowy figures in the night, strange howling sounds coming from a cave no one is brave enough to enter, a feud between old Peter McDonald and the new minister, and whisperings of ghosts from superstitious town folk make Roy curious and distract him from his own problems. With the help of new friends Abbey and Oscar, Roy begins to gather clues, determined that before he leaves for home in Seattle, he will uncover the Secret of the Cave.
What I liked about this movie:
When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was Secret of the Cave by Arthur Maxwell (the same guy who wrote The Bible Story and Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories). I owned a musty old copy that used to be my dad’s when he was a kid. I remember not being able to put it down because I desperately wanted to know the secret! This movie is an adaptation of that book, so it has a soft spot in my heart already. I think Southern Adventist University did a great job on this film with the budget they had, and they actually won a Crystal Heart Award from the Heartland Film Festival for their work.
I liked the depiction of Roy’s family in Ireland. The playfulness, loyalty, and love Roy saw in his aunt and uncle, and his uncle’s ability to be loving but firm when dealing with Roy, are in sharp contrast to Roy’s immediate family, which is being torn apart by divorce, and Roy’s father, who is just reckless and weird.
While it’s unclear until the end of the movie who or what is committing the mysterious acts of kindness, it’s pretty special to see what a series of kind acts can do to transform a community.
At one point in the movie, a lady comes into the Wallace family store to buy food. When she doesn’t have enough money to pay for all her groceries, Roy’s aunt says, “I’ll not have you leave without everything you came for.” Roy’s aunt chose to lose a little profit in her store rather than have one of her neighbors go hungry. I like the sense of community and generosity shown in the film.
What concerned me about this movie:
There are a few scary images in this film, which probably won’t affect you very much unless you are exceptionally sensitive (and there’s nothing wrong with that if you are!); but it could be a little frightening for a younger brother or sister.
In the movie, Roy’s father is bizarre. He drives recklessly, crashes into a sign in the front of the store without making any amends, and leaves Roy in an unfamiliar town all by himself. He apparently has a history of irresponsibility, according to his family in Ireland, and seems to be entirely insensitive to the feelings of other people. He definitely does NOT win a “Father of the Year” Award. It’s never quite clear why he acts so irrationally, and his behavior isn’t altered at the end.
At one point in the movie, Roy lies about taking his neighbor’s boat out on the water. He never admits that he used it without permission or that he lied about it, and there are no consequences for his lie.
This movie, while it doesn’t contain much if any objectionable material, is very shallow. It really doesn’t probe the depths of the serious topics it mentions, like divorce, abandonment, superstition, and who God is, and not everything that happens in the movie makes sense. I would have liked to see some insight or personal revelation at the end, rather than a simple, tidy wrap-up of events.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: There is some mention of ghosts in the film, though it involves the assumption of superstitious villagers and not the main character. In the book, people suspect that angels are behind the mysterious events, and I think that would have served the movie purposes just as well as (or better than) the ghost idea.
While I’m not making recommendations for whether or not you should see this movie (that’s for you and your parents to decide!), here are some “thinking” questions:
1. In this movie many of the villagers are sure they have seen ghosts or the work of ghosts. Is there really such a thing as a ghost? Check out what Jesus said about ghosts in Luke 24:39. What do you think Jesus was talking about?
2. What acts of kindness could you do in your family, church, school, or neighborhood that could make someone feel happy and special?
3. Speaking of acts of kindess, can you do all the right things and still not go to heaven? Look at Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 7:22-23; Acts 16:30-31; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
4. In Secret of the Cave, Roy is captivated by a mystery. Apparently there is a mystery that makes even the angels curious. Check this out: 1 Peter 1:10-12. Here’s another mystery God will reveal to us: 1 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 2:2.
NOTE: Secret of the Cave is available on DVD at www.secretofthecave.com.
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Comments
Nickname: boring
THe movie was BORINGGGG!!!! i fell asleep during the middle and i NEVER fall asleep during movies
Nickname: webkid
Love it!
Nickname: jason
i can't believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nickname: clayclay2
ive read the boo B4 but not seen the movie wolud any one reccomend it
Nickname: jokoman
the first time i saw it the flashbacks scared me
Nickname: canadian gal202
i dont think people who are sensitive should watch it cause it is very scary and potrays suicide which i personally do not like i did not watch the movie yet but based on the revew that is what i think but i do not know about you.
ps.i did not put any punctuation and i leave that to you
Nickname: tory
i have 2 friends who watched it and one says, it's really great and wants me to see it too. but after reading this review, i don't want to!
Nickname: cowgirl
I have watched this movie and it's awesome! Some of the footage is taken in my state, Alabama\dixieland, in a cave!
Nickname: Jonah
This movie was really interesting and good. After we read the book at school, one of our friends brought the movie and we watched it together as a class. I think that your right about the ghost part though, it seemed kinda wierd.
Nickname: abo
secret of the cave is an awesome movie!
Nickname: coolpathfinder
Whatever u think of the movie you should not be rude!!!
Nickname: n/a
dear nascarlover, since when is lord of the rings christian?
Nickname: coolpathfinder
I liked this movie a lot. It did have some scarry parts but it was good.
Nickname: juiceman
why r u being so critical its a sda movie wow
Nickname: comet10
Sounds cool!!
Nickname: sissi
what is your problem iluvcheese, what??, size10, and any others. How rude can you all get??!! Melanie is so totally right!
Go ASA!!!!! You've got courage!
Nickname: Sissi
It is my all time fav movie! though a bit scary, I just LOVE IRLAND!
I feel so happy whenever I see it. Not to include the frighting parts. I love the old village, church.........
Nickname: Yai
Sounds like a good movie.
Nickname: asa
what is your problem i luvcheese?they are not being critical!!!
Nickname: Alli
answer to what??? NOT ALL ADVENTIST THINGS ARE GOOD!!!
i DONT WATCH MOVIES.uNLESS THEY ARE GOOD!!!
Nickname: hedied4me
Thanks for the review! Now we know what kind of stuff that is in the movie.
Nickname: iluvjesus
i think this is a pretty good movie, but the mention of ghosts that would freak some people out i think but over all i think its pretty good :)
Nickname: beny
I like the movie.
Nickname: Dr. geek
Basicly, Id choose the book over the movie because when they make books into movies, they usually leave out the good stuff and film the dry, senseless parts. Its basicly an eccuse to act goofy infront of a camera.
Nickname: bobirl
i think this is an awesome movie and everyone should wacthit!!!!
Nickname: cardinal#1
Melanie, thank you for the review. I have watched this movie, and I enjoyed it very much. The movie is intense in some parts, and it may be difficult for very young children to understand. Besides that, I think this is a GREAT movie with a wonderful Christian theme. I hope everyone will enjoy viewing it!!!
Nickname: mheartj
I like the movie a lot. It is really cool. I read the book and it was slightly different than the movie.
Nickname: n/a
I don't think the fact that his dad doesn't drive right is a very big concern, I think that having the character's make mistakes is good, it can show people that that's the wrong way to go just so long as it's shown as a bad thing. I'm sorry, I know you're thinking that everything about movies afffects us but you are way to critical. I've read all of your reviews and you didn't seem to approve of any of them, if you're just going to say all the movies you review are no good then you might as well just say don't watch movies.
Nickname: Ink
Sound like a movie I might want to see!
(Off subject here, I instantly recognized AliKatz as a fan of the youtube animator AliKatNye! ^^D)
Nickname: bananahannah4
sounds cool and most of the people on the top comments spelt some stuff wrong no offense about that though.my mom i think is reading a really old version of that book for worship she started two days ago but i want to see the movie badly it looks so good and i read all of your comments so that makes me want to see it even more!1!1!
Nickname: n/a
are saying if people drive a little fast there going to hell
Nickname: iluvcheese
are you seriously against uncle Arthur????!!!!! I mean how could u . How could you be so critcal!!!!!
Nickname: hebrewscholar12
i saw this movie and am in complete agreement with melanie.
Nickname: jordan
hey mabe you should practice what you preach you guys are advertising movies of gosts
Nickname: camii101
The movie was pretty good. I watched it at a lock-in for the Chesapeake conference pathfinders. The only thing is when the people talked about ghosts. That part was a little edgy.But overall it was pretty good.
Nickname: Hidarake
This movie sounds cool, i wana watch it now!
Nickname: cassidi
I don't think you need to be so critical of the bad driving, I think that can be a good thing, IF they're acting like bad driving is ok then yeah it's a bad thing but if they're showing it for what it is it can be a good example. No offense but I think you could be just a little bit less critical of everything and pick more relevant discussion questions.
Nickname: Piggy1
Wow Mrs. Bockmann, seems like you are not making too many friends with this review. Personally, I think you did a fine job. Just because a movie is Christian it does not have to be good. I think I may look into this movie myself, as it sounds intriguing, but I appreciate the fact that you reviewed it. As for GI Joe, no offense anyone, but that movie is kinda pointless....
Nickname: flyingguy13
It is a great movie that has a good moral and pretty good plot. I watched it with my friend. Hope to see it again.
Nickname: crazy reader4God
i watched it. it is rily cool. THERE IS A BOOK?
Nickname: jib
ive watched it its realy cool!!!!
watch it!!!!!!!!!!
Nickname: nike
what did you expect, melaine? its a MOVIE. Theyre not gonna show you every aspect of divorce, ect. that would be a horror film
Nickname: kyleeekaye
ive never seen it but sounds weird!!
Nickname: fishinfreak414
thanks for the review, my pathfinder club is watching a part of the movie every week at our meetings and i really wanted to find out a little about was going to happen
Nickname: tristen
they changed the two brothers into a brother and sister
Nickname: Girls4God09
Cooool.. i reallly wanna see it!!!!!!!!!!!1 :) :D
Nickname: Los eat
i have actually never seen or heard or even read this book so i am just gonna say well I don't need to read it!
Nickname: jazz101
can u also do a review on GIjoe it looks pretty cool.
Nickname: jazz101
that movie was actually ok i only saw half of it cause i got bored. my dad stated snoring and my brother refused to watch it was so boring. they should have put more action in the beginning.
Nickname: princess7up23665
I think the movie was fine. I mean, it's not like someone driving recklessly will have a BAD influence on someone.
Nickname: belairblue
its sounds great as i said but the gost parts seems poor though to me from an adventist point of view they should have left in the angels part angels like in the story but besides one or two thing this movie sounds great cant wait to watch it
Nickname: belairblue
well it sounds good ill try to get it but wow an uncle Arthur movie thats got to be something
and i see your perspective on it ,though thanks very much !!!
Nickname: princesskatie
oh well i have seen this movie and it is pretty good but it was really inspireing to what they belived it was a good movie and i think it is a good way to show kids about what jesus and all so thanks it is going to be a good movie
Nickname: L.S PRINCESS
Hmm looks interesting I want to watch it.
Nickname: nanner
I WANT TO WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nickname: ashtondf
it is a really good movie everyone should see it!!!!!!!!!!
even though Roy does lie and doesn't confess the main point is really good
Nickname: ashtondf
Secret of the cave is a good movie. It is a little scary for little kids. And the ghost idea is kind of stupid. I still think that it is a good movie and everyone should see it.
Nickname: Legoboy
They made a movie? I've always enjoyed the story and I am now looking foreward to watching this movie.
Nickname: taraganathefirst
I admit it scaired my little sister but I loved it. I also admit it was a little creepy.
Nickname: Gen127
i love that moive i saw it last year and it was grate my mom either went or help the school who made it!
Nickname: koolkat
yeh i liekd this movie... well i only saw half bhut i did read the whole book and thought it was great and a good influence to christian modern people in this erra. LOl
Nickname: ashleystirewalt
i saw a little bit of the movie at my friendz b day
Nickname: qbgeek
I really like the movie because when I was a little kid I loved Janace's Attic. At the end she reads The Secret of the Cave(book). I've loved the book ever sience then.
Then when the movie came out, I had to see it
Nickname: 2critical4me
um i understand ur stance on movies and how they have an effect on our thoughts and behavior but not every movie has to be morally correct because life isn't like that. I think that a movie doesn't have to show that all bad decisions have consequences but it shouldn't be totally evil. THANKS 4 READING!! =-D
Nickname: Size10
ITS A MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!! THE MOVIE ITSELF IS A LIE!! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH U?
Nickname: blackice7
i saw that movie, and its ok for older kids like 7+, but little kids would get a bad example
Nickname: Shikotu
I WATCHED IT BEFORE AND IT WAS AWSOME! i think that the composers should get 100 grand each! and i liked the hideout in the cave. it was so COOOOOOOOOOOOL
Nickname: nascarlover
the book is better!
but to 'what?' ,Lord Of The Rings is christian but not good
Nickname: What??
You are that crtical of a film that is adventist!!!!! heaven sakes what is your problem? (do you like any movie??????)
Nickname: AliKatz
I really liked this movie when I watched it a while back. I definately liked the book but for once I can't choose whether I liked the book or the movie better. :) ... Have a good day everyone, peace out,
AliKatz
Nickname: terrier
Thanks for the review Melainie. This sounds like an intersting moivie. The things that I worry about in moivie is: that Roy's dad doesn't drive properly, Roy lies and and never admits what he's done. Other wise I would like to check this moivie out.
