Dear Ben Stein,

Dear Ben Stein,

I had the misfortune of seeing your "documentary" Expelled on opening day at the Leow's theater in Methuen, MA. Let me state from the outset that your film was one of the worst I've ever sat through. The constant cutting from interview segments to snippets of the holocaust, the construction of the Berlin Wall, 1950's educational film footage, science fiction movies etc. was not just annoying, it was childish. I expect such production techniques from a Saturday morning children's program, not a documentary claiming to take on the corrupt scientific establishment.

The factual errors in your film are many. They go to the very heart of your argument and are well documented. This isn't a matter of conflicting opinion, you are lying to people. Enough has been said about Expelled already, I won't belabor the point by reciting the myriad of falsehoods you foist on an American movie-going public that is, sadly, scientifically illiterate. The most damning aspect of your film is also the most absurd, the belief that acceptance of the scientific truth of evolution lead to the rise of fascism and the holocaust. Implicit in all of this of course is that, while you claim the conflict between "Darwinism" and "Intelligent Design" is purely about science, you make the case throughout the film that evolution is a denial of God, and pure empirical science a rejection of religion. Sadly, this isn't an original argument. Dinesh D'souza constantly makes this "Atheism leads Nazi's, Communism etc."argument, though admittedly in a more eloquent fashion. I can think of no assertion more intellectually or morally bankrupt.

What more can I say Mr. Stein? You lie, fabricate, misquote and mislead the viewer throughout your film. You deceived many of the credible scientists appearing in your film in order to secure their interviews. You stole sophisticated animation depicting cell biology. You used at least 2 pieces of copyrighted music for your film without permission.You staged the speaking event at the opening of your film and the incident where you were "thrown out" of the Smithsonian. I expected a documentary, I got science fiction. The Blair Witch Project was a more honest (and better made) film than Expelled.

I would ask for a refund,but given your demonstrated dishonesty, you'd probably claim you didn't make the film.