Rating: 3 / 10

Starring: Ben Stein


Plot: Ben Stein’s documentary chronicles the highly controversial debate between intelligent design and Darwin’s theory of evolution and the plight to eliminate the notion of creationism in the classroom.


The good: For a while, the film is thought-provoking. No matter what your beliefs are when it comes to science and/or religion and the connection they should or shouldn’t have, Stein raises some interesting points.

Those who teach intelligent design in their classroom over evolution are being censored and silenced. Although it could be considered that the separation of church and state would be conflicted, intelligent design does not necessarily have to involve religion.

It’s undeniable that our society is split on teaching these theories of evolution throughout America’s classrooms, and it’s worth a few minutes to ponder whether or not it really is such a bad thing to be able to learn information on evolution and intelligent design.


The bad: The film wants us to believe that if you are an atheist or believe in evolution or any of Darwin’s teachings, you are a Nazi.

The last half of the “documentary” contains more absurd bias than a segment of “Hannity and Colmes.” Stein travels to a former Nazi concentration camp where they maliciously slaughtered those who were deemed unfit. In some twisted way, Stein uses his weight as Jewish man to argue that Darwinism is the sole reason for the genocide of his people.

It’s irresponsible for a scholar like Stein to make such outrageous and dangerous claims. Even though most people know him as a game show personality or the monotone teacher in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” he is a smart man. He’s written more than 16 books, practiced law and written speeches for former presidents Nixon and Ford.

Aside from his subtle right-wing theories about Darwinism vs. creationism vs. intelligent design, Stein makes all of the scholars commenting on Darwinism seem like liberal extremists who would like to see all of the religious fanatics perish along with the notion of intelligent design. On the other hand, those who argue for intelligent design are well-mannered and articulate, a step above the atheist scoundrels.

The film never really looks at the other side of the spectrum with a level head. All the information presented on eugenics and those who follow Darwinism seems to be a little too contrived, or strategically and conveniently edited to look that way.


The lowdown: “Expelled” is definitely a film to see, merely because of the ideas and questions that are raised. However, the documentary and the way Stein channels Michael Moore with his bias ruins any chance of deeming Stein’s argumentative evidence credible.

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