The Stand (1994 television miniseries)

• Information at Internet Movie Database
• Themes
  • Apocalyptic
    • The flu virus (sin/evil) destroys all but 1% of the world's population. The remaining people divide themselves into two camps.
    • The Game Show Crucifixion in Las Vegas which serves to bring the "evil people" together for their apocalyptic self-destruction at the Hand of God. (DVD pt 4 ch 17 & 18) Stu: "I saw a pale horse..."
  • Baptism
    • Stu Redman in the rain as the flu is passed into the world (DVD part 1, chapter 3)
  • Call
    • Mother Abigail's prayer (DVD pt 2, ch 7) (she is reluctant to follow)
    • Mother Abigail ("good") and Randall Flagg ("evil") each call their own chosen ones through dreams.
  • Clean/Unclean
    • The flu as evil/uncleanliness. The bureaucracy attempts to keep themselves pure from it by using sterile rooms/suits, but it goes right through their suits, and unwittingly their "sterile" behavior adds to its spread (DVD part 1, chapter 10)
    • Nick Andros, Mother Abigail, Tom Cullen - seen as "unclean" by many, are compassionate saviors in the story.
  • Confrontation with Evil
    • The final apocalyptic confrontation in Las Vegas between the "good" and those who have followed the Evil One.
  • Crucifixion
    • Drug addicts in the realm of the evil figures are crucified.
    • The Game Show Crucifixion of the martyrs. (DVD pt 4, ch 17) 
  • Difficulty Discerning Evil/Moral Ambiguity
    • The flu (sin/evil) escapes into the world when a man attempts to save his family from it. (DVD part 1, chapter 1)
  • Dreams
    • Mother Abigail ("good") and Randall Flagg ("evil") each call their own chosen ones through dreams.
  • Exodus/Moses figures
    • Mother Abigail's prayer (DVD pt 2, ch 7)
  • Fear
    • The plague is spread and not contained because of the fear of various characters - the man who attempts to escape with his family, the bureaucracy
    • Randall Flagg (Satan figure) plays upon the fear of those he "calls" to his service.
  • Female God types
    • Mother Abigail welcomes and feeds her visitors, shares her wisdom and compassion.
  • Guilt
    • The Ed Harris character realizes that his attempt to cover up the reality of the flu (evil) has contributed to its destruction of the world. He pins a sign that reads "guilty" to his uniform, and kills himself.
  • Institutional Evil
    • "The Government" as symbol for institutional evil. The first concern is to cover up the plague (sin/evil), not to attempt to save folks from it. (DVD part 1, chapter 4)
  • Integrity/Honor
    • The Game Show Crucifixion where Mother Abigail's Saints keep their honor to the death, praising God for the elimination of evil even through their sacrificial death.
  • Journey
    • individuals journey to one of the two "camps" being called either by Mother Abigail or Randall Flagg
    • the "quest journey" by the three, into evil and back
  • Martyrdom/Persecution
    • The Game Show Crucifixion in Las Vegas which serves to bring the "evil people" together for their apocalyptic self-destruction at the Hand of God. (DVD pt 4 ch 17)
  • Mother types
    • Mother Abigail welcomes and feeds her visitors, shares her wisdom and compassion.
  • Prayer
    • Mother Abigail's prayer (DVD pt 2, ch 7)
  • Prophet
    • Mother Abigail as one who knows those who come to her house, and knows what is happening in the struggle between good and evil.
    • Kareem Abdul Jabbar as prophet: "He's closer now. The monster. The Dark Man. He's coming." (DVD part 1, chapter 21)
  • Rebirth
    • Larry and Nadine walk through the tunnel of death and horror and are reborn from New York City. (DVD pt. 2, ch 9)
  • Resurrection
    • Nick Andros visits at the end of the movie. The birth of a healthy baby.
  • Sacrificial Death
    • The Game Show Crucifixion in Las Vegas which serves to bring the "evil people" together for their apocalyptic self-destruction at the Hand of God. (DVD pt 4 ch 17)
  • Satan
    • Randall Flagg as the likeable, humorous, sexy embodiment of evil.
  • Struggle with Evil
    • "Satan" visits during Mother Abigail's prayer (DVD pt 2, ch 7)
  • Suffering Servant
    • Nick Andros is attacked as he attempts to be compassionate to the other prisoners (DVD, part 1)
  • Temptation
    • "Satan" visits during Mother Abigail's prayer (DVD pt 2, ch 7). Mother Abigail: If it's your will to bring 'em on, Lord, better do your will before I lose my guts.

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