The Work and the Glory II: American Zion

I liked the first installment in this series, better than this movie, the second installment. The first was the story of the (fictional) Steed family set against the backdrop of the founding of the LDS church.

This movie can't seem to make up its mind about whether it's a story about the Steed family with a backdrop of LDS history, or if it's the early history of the LDS church using a fictional family to flesh out a story.

Although there were plenty of conflicts in the movie, they seemed disjointed. I didn't see an overall flow or development. I haven't read the books, but it seemed like the screenplay just didn't flow right. I kept wanting the filmmakers to focus more on the Steeds as the main characters to tie it all together into a good story.

The acting was pretty good. Sets and costumes had good production values. Directing and cinematography were overall good. But there were a few scenes that were awkward, like a play where actors are brought on stage, say their lines and leave.

Though it contains much LDS (Mormon) history, this movie is not sponsored by the LDS church. There are a few cheesy pro-family lines that you might expect from The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie, but the movie does not preach religion and does not proselyte. One of the main themes of the movie is the importance of family in the midst of conflict and upheaval, so the cheesy lines are in context, and can be excused.

I also agree with a previous commenter that this is probably the best and most human portrayal of Joseph Smith that I have seen.

If you're expecting great movie making, you might be disappointed. I'd rate this movie a B- or C+.

I recommend: 1. If you're LDS and want to support Mormon cinema, go see the movie in the theater.

2. If you're not LDS, and are curious about Mormon history, go see the movie.

3. LDS or not, if you're looking for a really GREAT movie, then save your box-office money, because, IMO, this movie isn't worth first-run ticket prices ($8+) as far as movies go. But I will buy this movie for my Mormon movie collection when the DVD comes out on Ebay.

4. If you have a family of 3 or more, just wait for the DVD. No sense in spending $25 to see this movie, when for the same price you can get the DVD or VHS.

Bottom line: Yeah, it's worth watching on video with friends and family, whether you're LDS or not, but not what I consider first-run box office.

The quality of the acting in this film fluctuates all over the place. In some scenes (especially confrontations between the Joshua, Nathan, and their dad), I was riveted by the intensity of the incredible acting. Other scenes, however, had me nearly laughing at the ridiculousness of the actors'/actresses' attempts at playing their characters. Other things I liked: Faster pace than the first movie. Depth of the conflicts (it's not complete good vs bad; both parties were genuinely hurt by the past). Incredible camera work. Changing points of view during the voice-over narration. Other things I disliked: The music score didn't fit the scenes. Awkward dialogue at times. A lot of things didn't carry over from the first film.

Save your money it was a good show but it will be an epic it doesn't get to Joseph Smith Murder, the show leaves off about the speed family and moving Missouri, it doesn't get to the Navoo temple at all, I fell this is wrong to have to wait for the next episode which at the end of the movie it doesn't mention a next episode if there is one at all, I fell ripped off I was excepting at least to the LDS leaving to Utah !!! and where it left off was years before that.

I am sure you folks will have to see for yourselves what I am talking about, but as for the movie it self it was great ! I was disappointed that it did not go further than it did.

My family and I recently saw "The Work and the Glory: American Zion" in California and am so very glad to say it is better than anything I've seen in a long while. I don't see why so many people have to pigeon hole this film as a Mormon film. It happens to be a very well done film about the 1830's and it happens to be about Joseph Smith and the Steed family. The camera work and the acting is more than excellent. I thought Jonathan Scarfe as Joseph Smith was good and Sam Hennings as Ben Steed was as good as it gets. So please people get over the religious talk and lets look at this film as a entertaining movie that is very well done for the whole family to see. We can't wait for the third film to come out. Thanks

The movie was a bit violent, but then, those were violent times. Joseph and others were tared and today, that would be a crime which would place them into police custody. The movie was well done. I think the characters were very well (fleshed out). It was a pleasure to see the human side of the Prophet Joseph. I am sure he got tired and I know he grieved for his lost children. The cast have captured the flavor of the books, and I look forward to seeing the next installment. I think the clothing was well done, those shirts looked SO uncomfortable! I don't know if they were in the 1830's, but they surely didn't have the wonderful fabrics we do today, and everything was made by hand, and they were not wealthy people (except Martin Harris) so their clothing was a reflection of that. By the way, the narrator has a clear and easy to listen to voice. The only vague things were based on the relationships with Ben/Joshua and Joshua/Jessica. If some one hadn't read the books, or see the last movie, they might not really understand what makes Ben and Joshua so angry with each other. Maybe that should be a little more clear in the future. After all, if they are going to make (9) movies, people will need to understand each movie as though it were standing on it's own. It is a movie after all, not a mini-series for TV.