A story set against the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the film is based upon the tragedy which occurred in Utah in 1857. A group of settlers, traveling on wagons, was murdered by the native Mormons. All together, about 140 souls of men, women and children, were taken. Amidst this, two young lovers-to-be, one a Mormon and the other one of the doomed settlers from Arkansas, develop a relationship in an atmosphere of suspicion and rancor. Written by
Plot Synopsis:
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In 1857, as a wagon train from Arkansas and a group of zealot Mormons near Cedar City, Utah were fated to tragically collide, two young people fell deeply and immediately in love.
Jonathan Samuelsons heart was instantly captivated the moment he saw the striking young woman on the wagon train: Emily Hudson was equally smitten by the young Mormon who possessed a kind soul and a magical way with horses.
But Jonathans father, Jacob Samuelson, was convinced the Gentile settlers were intending to do harm to the Mormons. Jacob bade Jonathan to spy on the settlers as he sought the advice of church elders; when his fears were then confirmed by a visitation from God, Jacob relayed the order to Brigham Youngs adopted son, John D. Lee, to kill all but the youngest of the train.
Desperate to stop the battle, Jonathan defied his church and tried in vain to warn the settlers and their wagon train leader, Captain Fancher. Unable to reach them in time, imprisoned by his own father, Jonathan watched in agony as his younger brother, Micha, became swept up by the bloody fanaticism.
Wrenching free of his chains Jonathan raced to the slaughter site, only to be faced with an unbearable horror. Grief-stricken, Jonathans search for Emily brings him to a heart-wrenching choice of love over death.
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(paulthesane@msn.com) from Burnaby BC
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I have been hearing many bad reviews for this movie, panning it for a perceived 'blanket condemnation of the Mormon Church.' What so many of these reviews refuse to take into consideration is the actual character of territorial Utah in the 1850s and the rest of the historical evidence.
The plain simple fact is that Utah at the time WAS full of zealous religiosity. Every statement made by Brigham Young in the movie comes from his published sermons. Utah territory was a harsh and repressive society, and the movie portrays this accurately.
This movie is in NO WAY a blanket condemnation of Mormonism, though it IS a condemnation of the Mormon Church *IN THE 1850s.* To say that this movie portrays them like "homesteading Nazis," is completely unfair.
John Voight's performance gives a perfect example of the sort of character found in Mormon authorities in the period, while his sons show us some of the various types of dissension, the outright rejection, and the horrified self-loathing obedience.
The only thing I can see wrong here is that they could have put some hostile people in the wagon company, as undoubtedly there would have been. I can understand why they did not however, in order to drive home just how terrible this massacre was. Whether or not Brigham Young was directly involved in the events is up for debate, but there can be no doubt that the teachings he espoused and the environment they engendered were a significant part of what caused the massacre.
In short, most of the negative reviews come either from Mormons or people who have very little background with regards to the history of Territorial Utah
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big_poppa_paul from Canada
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I was about to disregard this movie and thought that maybe I'd check out what people have written about it on IMDb. Frankly, to any one that is not Mormon, the thorough and complete disgust I see on this site from people who are very obviously from the Mormon community doesn't dissuade me from watching this movie, it actually encourages me. When people take so much effort to convince you not to watch something, I for one, think it's probably worth watching. I have watched it now and I must say, it wasn't the awful movie we are made to believe it was by the people posting on this site. To the contrary, I found it a very powerful and compelling movie and I'm glad to have watched it. I will certainly do some historical research to see where the alleged biases come in, but I have a feeling the movie will certainly not be quite the fiction that some of the posters have made it out to be.
My actual rating would have been a 6 or a 7 at best, but since there are people (I would assume those in the Mormon community) trying to bring the rating down simply because it shows a group of their people in an unfavourable light, I gave it a 10 to balance it out.
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nothingbutgrace from United States
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Don't be fooled by the low ratings. I am sure they are all biased by people who are ashamed of their past and do not want the truth to be known. After doing some research on the internet, it appears that the movie is historically accurate. There is absolutely no doubt that this tragic incident took place. There is doubt as to who exactly was involved, but the movie does a very good job of presenting the historical facts as they are known today. The acting was superb! Amazing scenery, brilliant cast, beautiful horses, and one of the most tragic love stories displayed on film. (The love story was probably fictional, but heart-wrenching nonetheless.) The movie deserves an Oscar for sure! This is not a Mormon bashing movie. This is a tragic, true life story brought to life on film, and it's simply amazing! A film about the Crusades and murders committed by Christians in the name of God would be equally tragic. Anyway, don't let all the severely biased low ratings influence you. You do not want to miss this movie!
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pmcguireumc from United States
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Having now read most of the reviews, I will add mine - This is not a bad film, despite what many of the reviewers have said. Yes, it is somewhat one dimensional in its portrayal of the various parties involved. Yes, the Mormons are portrayed as the modern equivalent of Muslim terrorists (though back then, from what i have read, this is only a modest stretch). And finally, yes, there is a rather insipid romeo and Juliet theme flowing throughout.
Yes the film has its share of flaws. nevertheless, it is a beautiful film to watch, the characters are all filled with fine actors, and in reality, it is a reasonably accurate film as to the differences between the various groups. That the film's hero (jonathan) had no idea how people outside his lds group think and that the wagon train (illustrated by Emily) had no understanding of the Mormon's culture or paranoia is very believable (as the Mormon's were still a quite new group). Furthermore, like all sects, the members have a very one dimensional view of the world. I felt like this was a well done film on a subject few know much about. Well done. A worthy religious history drama.
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nonsequitur247 from United States
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I saw a screening of this film recently, and the most fitting word to describe it is "interesting." This film is a *fictionalized* account of the Mountain Meadows massacre by the Mormons and Native Americans in Utah Territory on September 11, 1857. Great artistic license is taken in the plot - the screenwriter deliberately attempts to humanize the event by infusing it with a love story between one of the immigrant girls and a Mormon bishop's son who is beginning to disagree with the requirements of his faith. An additional relationship story between the aforementioned son and one of his more obedient but dissenting brothers also adds emotional value. The love story itself is corny, but with the brothers' story, it exponentially increases the powerful effect of this film, which is all the more touching for its human aspects.
The film sparked numerous discussions among the audience members - political comparisons, Mit Romney comments, religious terrorist comparisons, 9/11 observations, and questioned how it would affect people's views of the Mormon faith. While it was historically accurate in some ways, it is affirmed at the end of the movie that it has never been proved that Brigham Young was associated with the attacks and that John D. Lee was the only one ever punished for the massacre. Though the immigrants are clearly made the victims in the movie, the settlers' reasons to distrust them are not discounted completely. A lot of questions and conversations were raised over the film.
All in all, this film was worth seeing. The flaws created by the love story detract from the overall plot, but what it gives back in its emotional effects adds much more. The cinematography and editing were beautifully done. What you take away is really up to you, whether you see it as a love story, historical piece, attack on the Mormon faith, or simply for what it literally is: a film.
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nowego from Australia
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I saw this movie recently with an open mind and with no idea of Mormon history. After seeing the movie I then read as much as I could find on the actual event before writing this comment.
This movie is a hollywoodised version of events that did happen, no one is disputing that it happened, the comments on this site who have slammed the movie and given it 1 star seem to be those who are either Mormons or Mormon sympathisers who don't like the truth being openly told.
Without the hollywoodised love story and the "too" clean travelers the movie seemed to follow accounts of what happened reasonably accurately in my eyes.
From what I have read about the event I think the makers were right in making it look like a cover up by the Mormons, we have to remember that religious leaders had great say in how things are done in societies of the time, and unfortunately still do today.
As has happened many times in history, a scapegoat is often used to cover up the misdeeds of those in higher authority.
See the movie with an open mind then do the research and make up your own mind about who should have been punished here.
I give this movie an 10 out of 10 to counter all the misguided 1s that have been given, but my true rating would be a 6.
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Mary Rainwater from Seattle, WA
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This is a really dreadful film based on a fascinating, not well known historical incident. The story is both interesting and relevant to our time - dealing as it does with religion gone amok - but the film is a bloated objectionable mess. The script is crammed with way too many little subplots that have no bearing on the story (including, inexplicably, a horse whisperer). Jon Voight is mesmerizing and the best thing about this film, but everyone else should go back to drama class. The film's tone is hysterical and melodramatic where a touch of subtlety would be more effective. Finally, how are we expected to take this thing seriously when the settlers who have trudged across hundreds of miles of dusty trails in their wagon train all have clean clothes, shiny hair and perfectly applied eye makeup? In all, this film made me wish for a good documentary to tell this important story.
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phrixion from United States
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Having watched this controversial film, I can say I enjoyed it because American history does interest me. The film itself depicts the paranoid state of mind of Mormons and some bad timing for the emigrants from Arkansas passing through Utah territory, ironically on September 11, 1857.
The film itself does a good job with presenting the period piece with costumes, props and location... where it fails is the spoken dialog and monologues. Perfectly horrible was the language. The love story is an interesting twist in the story, fictional and entertaining. Also the feelings of trepidation, hate and fear in the film seems disturbingly accurate and true.. As with any religion or institution that tries to place theological control over a large number of people often seem to harbor fear and trepidation of losing that power.
The massacre scene seems to be word for word as depicted from the last words of John D. Lee, a person who participated in the act and was put to death by firing squad for it in 1877 after confessing his part in the massacre and explaining the state of mind of the people around him at the time.
What caught me was that this film was not tightly wrapped. It tried to set up the story and the events that lead to the tragic events, but loosely fictional enough to tick off some Mormons obviously.
Historically, yes the account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre seems pretty accurate, it does mention the Federal Government was going to be sending troops and that Brigham Young was ready to fight. But the way it was said and done to get these small set up events introduced... it seemed a little (not a lot) leaned against Mormons in the film. A fair and an unbiased recollection of history or historical events isn't what you will find but maybe, the story from a sensible relative of one of the massacred.
The film does try to show some human side of the Mormons that were involved, through the love story and the character they portray as John D. Lee, especially at the end of the movie. It pretty much wraps up with him looking like he is regretting doing something (this is during the massacre).
Also the film does very quickly attempt to show the history of ill will the Mormons had received and what led to their paranoid and resolute state of mind via montage of the violent mobs that often attacked the Mormons and then assassinated Joseph Smith in Missouri, forcing them out of the state.
The film does bring a controversial piece of American history to light and let's the viewer really decide for themselves. But in the end it seems to question the leadership (or lack of) in the Mormon church, who was at the time Brigham Young and the local bishop (John Voigt)in the film.
**I would highly recommend watching the 2004 documentary: BURYING THE PAST: LEGACY OF THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE**
and reading the Mormon church's September 2007 addressing the events, in Mormon run Deseret News. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695209108,00.html
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pmoul1219 from United States
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This is a story that needs telling, and perhaps a bare documentary would have gone unnoticed. I was bothered, however, by the introduction of an unlikely horse-breaking scene, a subsequent act of remarkable generosity, and a love-at-first-sight romance. These run counter to the actual events and distort the nature of the massacre. Apart from that I liked the portrayal very much. It does a good job of portraying the distrust the Mormons had of the rest of the nation, including the government, of their resentment toward Missouri and toward the mob that murdered Joseph Smith in Illinois, and the failure of the government that had him in its custody.
Although the movie was shot in Alberta, the scenery is not unlike that in the Mountain Meadows area, except, of course, for the lake or river in which the young emigrant was able to bathe. I could be mistaken, but I don't think there is one.
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tbaker5 from United States
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The quality of the movie is not great, but historically, this event did happen. I am Western U.S. Historian, and the events were not horribly inaccurate that some critics of the movie would like you to believe. The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a terrible event in our country's history and more Americans need to learn about this event and become more aware of it. I highly recommend that you watch this film and do some research on the massacre so you can develop your own conclusions.
Some of the people that have written very critical comments of this movie are clearly biased and will not look at the facts. Over 150 years later, you would think that the Mormon Church could come to grips with the truth and apologize for the decision to kill the innocent victims. Mountain Meadows needs to be made a National Historical Site and archaeological digs need to be conducted on the site. The Mormon Church needs to be more cooperative on this...what are they hiding? It should be God's Will to bring this event to the public and to find out the true facts.
settler|mormon|love|utah|wagon train|massacre|mass murder|firing squad|arrest|bow and arrow|horse and carriage|soldier|killing in god's name|piute indian|shot to death|indian village|joseph smith|coffin|horse and wagon|blood|revenge|tears|brigham young|salt lake city utah|savagery|intolerance|disguise|six gun|attack|subtitles|secrecy|custom|shackled|conspiracy|rite|locket|widower|corpse|river|ritual|buttocks|temple|candle|stable|oil lamp|horse chase|campfire|oath|army|sermon|murder|ranch|cattle|year 1857|rural|mayor|pioneer|encampment|covered wagon|priest|thoroughbred|parasol|trust|countryside|destruction|year 1877|buggy|anger|gunfight|arson|corral|interview|year 1875|latter day saints|american indian|horse|slow motion scene|flashback|utah territory|told in flashback|throat slitting|stabbed to death|shot in the stomach|shot in the chest|shot in the back|river crossing|religious obsession|religious leader|religious fundamentalism|religious fanaticism|preacher|prayer|native american|mormonism|loss of loved one|loss of brother|killing spree|horse riding|horse carriage|hatred|fratricide|flashback within a flashback|father son relationship|family dinner|execution|death wish|dead girl|church|child murder|brother brother relationship|bludgeoning|bishop|assassination|1870s|1840s|testicles|nudity|male nudity|female nudity|castration|religion|militia|emigrant|1850s|based on true story|
AKAs Titles:
Certifications:
Australia:MA / Germany:16 / Netherlands:16 / Portugal:M/12 / Singapore:NC-16 / USA:R