Available at Amazon.com
Docudrama Films presents Flock Of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus. Written by Randy Olson. 85 minutes. Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief mild language.
Directed By:
Randy Olson
Cast:
Michael Behe. Intelligent Design Supporter
John Calvert. Intelligent Design Supporter
Jack Cashill. Intelligent Design Supporter
Tom Givnish. Evolutionist
Randy Olson. Himself
Erik Alden .Evolutionist
Dr. David Bottjer. Evolutionist
The Film:
The Evolution/Creationism debate has been raging for years. Time and time again groups have tried to get Creationism taught in school but separation of Church and State as defeated those groups every time. But over the past few years a new tactic has been tackled. Creationism is now known as Intelligent Design and talked about as a “science.”
Flock Of Dodos never tries to hide it’s bias. The filmmaker, Randy Olson, states right off the bat that he is an Evolutionist. However, that doesn’t stop him from interviewing some of the smartest supporters of Intelligent Design and allowing them it state their point of view in clear concise way. Though despite giving them their time on the soapbox he manages to tear down most of their arguments to prove his point. One of the biggest arguments the Intelligent Design people us is Mount Rushmore. When you look at it, it is obvious that some one designed it. Therefore when you look at a regular mountain how can you not think that there was intelligent design behind that? It’s a flawed argument and Olson tears it apart quickly.
This is an interesting documentary. Most of the people interviewed are very intelligent and well spoken and express their opinions in a way that is easy to understand. Also, as this topic can become quite a volatile one, the film uses animation and humor to lighten the mood and keep the whole thing entertaining as well as informative.
Flock Of Dodos feels like a film kids would watch in high school and I don’t say this as an insult. It takes a rather complicated issue and boils it down to something everyone can understand and while having a bias it gives the Intelligent Design supporter enough screen time that it could possible convince someone that they are right.
Most people on this subject are so locked in their beliefs that I don’t see the film changing too many minds, but for someone sitting on the fence it will give them a lot to think about and most likely guide them to some sort of conclusion. And isn’t that the most one could ask for in a documentary?
The DVD:
This film is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and Dolby Digital Stereo.
Extras:
Ten Questions: (58 min.) This is a fantastic Q&A that was hosted at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Over 150 students were in attendance where a panel of three PhD’s and a priest answered ten questions. This isn’t the most exciting extra ever, but it’s very informative and interesting. It answers such questions as: Can a Christian accept biological evolution? And what is the difference between creationism and intelligent design?
Pulled Punches: Outtakes: (7 min.) Randy Olson hosts this footage not used and explains why he didn’t use it. In many cases he points out how he could have made the intelligent design people look really stupid but chose not to.
Vetoed Comedy: (2 min.) Here Olson talks about a piece of sketch comedy that he made with the groundlings that ended up not in the film.
Shared Visions: Evolution and Intelligent Design Unite?: (3 min.) And this is the sketch comedy piece in question. Frankly, it’s probably a good thing it was left out.
Panel Discussion: (8 min.) This feature talks about how Olson took his film all over the US and had many panel discussions after the film. He shares some of his favorite moments from these discussions.
Howard Hughes Animation: (6 min.) These are two pieces of animation that help explain evolution that were left out of the film. The first one spells it out rather plainly and should have been in the film.
The Inside Pulse
If you are interested in the subject of Evolution vs. Intelligent Design or aren’t really sure about it than this is a fantastic documentary to watch. It’s very easy to understand, it gives both sides, and it’s kept light and entertaining. This is a great way to introduce kids to the subject.
