I have to preface my review by saying that I was looking forward to viewing the movie, because although I am not a Mormon, I am from Palmyra, New York, the village where Joseph Smith founded the religion.
This film was well done, and while not totally faithful to the true story, it was close enough that the Mormon leaders of the time approved the script. And yes, Palmyra does get mentioned, but the film really starts with the prejudicial treatment of the Mormons in their colony in Illinois. And this was vividly depicted in this film. Kudos! Then the film fast forwards to the trek along the Mormon Trail to Utah. Dean Jagger, long a favorite character actor of mine, is excellent as Brigham Young, particularly in this part of the film. My only criticism of this part of the film is that they often showed all those MOUNTAINS in IOWA! Coincidentally, just two days before watching this film, I had been along a couple of the historic sites along the Mormon Trail in Wyoming! The climax of the film -- the grasshoppers invading the crops in Salt Lake -- was masterfully done. How did they make it look so real way back in 1940...and particularly the scenes of the seagulls quashing the grasshoppers! Fine movie making! This is very much Dean Jagger's film, even though Tyrone Power often gets top billing when the film is written about.
It is remarkable that in 1940s Hollywood, a film this positive about Mormonism was even made. Although it was a failure at the box office (even in Utah), this is a "keeper" for the strength of performances and the sets and special effects.
Incidentally, several reviewers criticized the casting of Vincent Price as Joseph Smith. I felt that Price portrayed Smith very well and, perhaps, even resembled him slightly.
This film was well done, and while not totally faithful to the true story, it was close enough that the Mormon leaders of the time approved the script. And yes, Palmyra does get mentioned, but the film really starts with the prejudicial treatment of the Mormons in their colony in Illinois. And this was vividly depicted in this film. Kudos! Then the film fast forwards to the trek along the Mormon Trail to Utah. Dean Jagger, long a favorite character actor of mine, is excellent as Brigham Young, particularly in this part of the film. My only criticism of this part of the film is that they often showed all those MOUNTAINS in IOWA! Coincidentally, just two days before watching this film, I had been along a couple of the historic sites along the Mormon Trail in Wyoming! The climax of the film -- the grasshoppers invading the crops in Salt Lake -- was masterfully done. How did they make it look so real way back in 1940...and particularly the scenes of the seagulls quashing the grasshoppers! Fine movie making! This is very much Dean Jagger's film, even though Tyrone Power often gets top billing when the film is written about.
It is remarkable that in 1940s Hollywood, a film this positive about Mormonism was even made. Although it was a failure at the box office (even in Utah), this is a "keeper" for the strength of performances and the sets and special effects.
Incidentally, several reviewers criticized the casting of Vincent Price as Joseph Smith. I felt that Price portrayed Smith very well and, perhaps, even resembled him slightly.