The Work and the Glory II: American Zion

The riveting depiction of the history of the Mormon church continues via these screen adaptations of Gerald Lund's novels. The founding of the Mormon church clearly fomented intense, irrational hatred from the very beginning, especially vividly exposed in this episode. Some have wondered why? Because they were different? Because they banded together? Sometimes there is no rationale or justification for hatred -- it's just there.

The Mormons apparently wanted nothing more that to be left to themselves and their beliefs. Yet the raw emotion of fear and loathing caused men to perpetrate unspeakable acts of depravity. More so than against any other religious movement in America -- The Amanas, the Quakers, the Mennonites weren't driven out, pillaged, murdered and burned out by the mob! Hang your head in shame America!

This movie portrays this horrendous American period vividly, without exploiting the violence for the sake of shock-value. (We know what happens when hot tar is painted on bare skin without having to actually see it.) The fact that it happened, with the complicity of the government, (Missouri Lieutenant Governor Lilburn W. Boggs) is shocking enough. (The State of Missouri has only just recently apologized to the Mormon Church for the outrages committed against it.) This episode takes the Steed family from New York, to Ohio, then to Missouri, driven out each time because intolerant Americans refused to allow them their constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom and the government refused to do anything about it.

The first movie was dream-like, ethereal, almost idyllic. This movie is not any of those things. This move is gritty. Oh the movie is still very well filmed, acted, scripted and produced. But it is utterly gripping from the first frame to the closing credits. Not a bit preachy or condescending, just good. Much better than most of what Hollywood is cranking out these days. If you are a patriotic American, prepare to be angry that such things happened in our history -- shame on us. Let us resolve that such things will never be allowed to happen again.

This second installment of the series based on the "Work and the Glory" books far exceeds the first effort. The music, cinematography, story line, acting and general "feel" of the movie are all great. I have not read the underlying novels, so I have no idea how or if the story details in the movie mirror the books, but I can say this: this movie is moving, inspiring, and dramatically (though slightly fictionally, since the main family is fictional) portrays a slice of true American history.

I do not believe the movie is preachy, at least not about Mormonism. I think most Americans (and others), who take for granted such notions as a free press and upright civil authorities who can be trusted to uphold the law, will easily recognize how different such things were back then.

Mormon history buffs will be a bit disappointed that some of the details were glossed over or left out. My only complaint is that, in an attempt to make this movie appeal to non-Mormon audiences, some of the more dramatic mythic stories from Joseph Smith's time, though alluded to in the movie, are not satisfyingly portrayed.

Not for young children, this movie gets a 9 from me; just a bit more coherence in the story line and some other such movie "polish" would have garnered a 10.

Bravo to all involved! And thanks for a family-friendly, beautiful, moral story that all who see can connect to.

First, let me clear up a couple of things. No, I am not going to be 97% objective in my review. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have never read the novels the movie is based on. So, you aren't going to be hearing me harping on how it didn't live up to the book, etc. Neither are you going to hearing how the LDS filmmakers are using the movie to proselyte their religion.

First, the positives: The main actors do an excellent and convincing job. The actor who plays Brigham Young (Andrew Bowen) could rival Orlando Bloom in skills and screen-image appeal. Jonathan Scarfe, who plays Joseph Smith, does an excellent job. The special effects are done well. The cinematography is superbly done. It has a rough feel that matches its era. The relationships between parents and children (especially the babies) is especially endearing. Oh, yes, Eric Johnson pulls off his character (Joshua Steed) very well, too.

Second, the negatives: Some of the supporting actors, that only have one or two lines aren't very convincing or experienced and it weakens some of the drama.

Well, gotta run.

The movie made me cry, probably cause I'm a dad.

This movie was something to enjoy. Of all the LDS films, this is one of the greatest. The performance by the man who played Joseph Smith was so believable and true to life; I have never seen an actor do so well playing Joseph Smith. The music is absolutely beautiful. The best score of an LDS film I've ever come across, and that is saying something because of my extensive background in music. The PG-13 rating wasn't needed. It was somewhat violent, but not enough to get that rating. The church's films 'Legacy', 'The Lamb of God', and 'Finding Faith in Christ' have just as much graphic violence. The violence was indeed needed to portray what happened to Joseph and the rest of the Saints. Overall, this film was brilliant. The only flaw is some of the acting. there weren't very strong performances by Nathan and Lydia, but I suppose they weren't given the chance as much.

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.