Bezenby Here's a quick question: Did I watch this because I have an active interest in the Church of the Latter Day Saints or because I'm a moron who just has to watch every film in Mill Creek's Drive In Classics box set? Answer: Only two to go! (now that I've also watched Invasion of the Bee Girls).So as you should know unless you stumbled upon this page by accident is that this film is the story of the early days of the Mormon Church, what with the Joseph Smith and the….Brigham Young guy? And wee Jimmy Osmond.Thing is, I didn't hate this one! I didn't think it was great either, but nonetheless it wasn't boring. I'm no god-fearing person (I worship Massimo Vanni) so the 'God will provide' speeches did rankle up my heathen gland, but then again it was interesting to watch how xenophobic and intolerant Americans were even back then. I knew of Joseph Smith but didn't realised he was murdered. Nor did I know that Jimmy Osmond parted the Red Sea and (must think of something funnier and more asinine before posting). You're not going to be seeking this one out but if you have that box set please know that this isn't the worst film on there (that's Black Hooker, or maybe Who's Killing Her Now).Or now that I've started watching it, Throw Out the Anchor.

classicsoncall It looks like only viewers who rated this film better than a '3' are the ones thoughtful enough to leave a review on this board. The picture doesn't deserve such a low rating and is due in part (just assuming here) to a general discomfort over religious themes in general, and the subject of polygamy in particular. The latter subject is not dwelled on in the story, and is even given a slightly humorous turn in the sequence when Brigham Young (Mauric Grandmaison) is shown dancing with his different wives. Beyond that, polygamy is dealt with rather straightforwardly without opinion, and one can make up their own mind.The story traces the development of the Mormon Church over a period of roughly two decades, from 1830 to the Great Westward Trek in the spring of 1847. It's principal characters are Joseph Smith (Richard Moll) and Brigham Young, who met in Ohio and developed a friendship and loyalty that endured until Smith's murder in 1846. During that time, the followers who were attracted to the preaching of both men slowly grew, and became a wandering vanguard moving from state to state as they came under attack for their different lifestyle from the mainstream.The picture ventures into the political realm to a degree, as the governor of Illinois seems to intercede on behalf of the Mormons when they come under fire while in Nauvoo. However they are betrayed by his quick departure, deferring to his own political ambitions rather than seeking an equitable justice for Young. Once in Utah, Brigham Young inspires his followers to claim and work their own land while proclaiming water and timber rights for the benefit of all, a rather generous view that modern socialists might envy if they weren't eclipsed by their liberal elite pontificates.Probably the most intriguing scene in the picture occurred right after the settlers made their way to the Great Salt Lake Basin and were almost destroyed by a force of nature, a plague of locusts that threatened their crops and livelihood. With no place to turn, Young prays yearningly to God to give him a sign that will give him and his community hope. The appearance of the gulls as saviors seemed akin to a heavenly band of angels swooping down to vanquish an enemy. From these humble beginnings, the Mormon Church and Brigham Young University were born and persevere to the present day.

spj-4 I thought this movie was a pleasant surprise! It doesn't deserve its lowly rating I noted!!! - I assume that's connected to a prevailing dislike for religiousness, too often associated with bigotry & hypocrisy, with good reason! I have no affiliation to such a church as the Mormons I understand this is centred on! I have also left my own mainstream religion that I intend never to return to! But what I saw here was an impressive depiction of how hard it can be for a minority that might appear to be a sect to some, to find acceptance in any circumstances! It doesn't matter if someone is a visionary, an inventor, a prophet, or an innocent bystander! Likewise surely for God, whatever you conceive him to be! Suddenly, you can find yourself in the middle of a storm, having your family threatened or even destroyed, having your property or existence or even letters confiscated, for your trust in God &/or man! While others gossip about you! Or bring on a sea of fireballs in the hands of rednecks, when you are in no position to defend yourselves! It can happen at the hands of a multi-national corporation, something like the slick tobacco or fast-food networks! I have seen such red-necks & oppressors as portrayed here, as Christians or their adversaries! Equally distasteful! I have seen similar red-necks & oppressors amidst the unbelieving in any form of 'God' they might believe or not believe in! I have witnessed their individual & collective responses without tolerance & with amazing audacity & narrowmindedness! I didn't know this was about Joseph Smith, only read it on your website later! I'd only vaguely heard of him, & don't even know the difference between the Mormons & the Seventh-day Adventists! But I respect the value of each & countless others from faithful to all manner of visions of God, or their perceptions of such a God, that I have met in churches or temples, to hotels & much beyond! I'm not sorry I watched this movie rated 3.2/10 & would recommend you view it for yourself! You find both sides of it here! It has drama & action! It is poverty, even desperation! I don't understand why it is judged so poorly, but for the association of many churches to be centred or judged to be based on bigotry & hypocrisy! There's the old-fashioned version of a tels-evangelist (without requests for donations) & a mob of nasty rednecks (who don't like to be challenged in their perceptions) ... so much like the pharisees, while the outcasts & downtrodden were depicted in Jesus' times, variously worthy of condemnation & respect are still to be found! It's not hard to see how anyone of faith in any belief, on anything from politics to religion, to how the world, could or should be, finding themselves to be a victim here! This deserves a favourable rating! 8/10!

dbborroughs This is the story of the founding of the Mormon Church and their trek across America to found Utah.I'm not sure how this will play if you're not a Mormon. To me it seemed like a cross between the old Sunn Classic pseudo documentaries (ie Beyond and Back, In Search of Noah's Ark) and one of the awkward educational films you'd see in school. Yes its informative, but ts not very interesting. It definitely not something that I would ever put on again for enjoyment. Its just sort of is.Actually the most interesting thing is the casting of Richard Moll as Joseph Smith the founder of the church. The role is so very different than what we know him for, Bull on Night Court and monsters in low budget horror movies, that this is a nice change of pace.Worth a shot if you're curious but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.