The Work and the Glory II: American Zion

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.

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.

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.

Author Gerald N. Lund wrote a series of novels about the founding and expansion of Mormon Church entitled "Like a Fire is Burning." The Work and the Glory: American Zion is the second part in what will be a trilogy of films based on Lund's novels. American Zion is the Empire Strikes Back of the Mormon Church, if you will. But in all seriousness, religion or no religion (and I'm personally of no religious persuasion), it's a well-done, well-made, superbly-acted film that's a lot better than a majority of the crap that comes out of Hollywood these days.

The prologue briefly discusses everything that happened in the previous film, so even if you didn't see The Work and the Glory (Part 1), you can still jump into this movie and more or less figure out what's going on. In Part 1, the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith (played by a brooding-but-gorgeous Jonathan Scarfe… am I going to hell for calling a prophet hot?) forms the Church of Latter Day Saints. In American Zion (Part 2) we witness their brutal history of oppression and learn why the Mormons kept migrating west. Everywhere they went, they were attacked, threatened, and forcefully removed. It's gut wrenching to watch. Men are whipped or covered in boiling tar, while women and children are sent on death marches through the snow. The early Mormons experienced a fate similar to the Native Americans and the Jews.

Look, I'm not Mormon, but this is a great movie. Every character is believable and the story really does suck you in. After seeing the first two films, I'm now totally invested in this story. And it ends on such a cliffhanger that I honestly can't wait to see the next film – The Work and the Glory: A House Divided. This is top-quality historical drama, and any movie lover can enjoy it, not matter what their religion.

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.