Rainey Dawn A film I ended up with from Mill Creek's Drive-in 50-pack. This film is not my cup of tea. It's basically like some critics and reviewers say it is a "Mormon Propaganda" flick.The film basically portrays *almost everyone* as "savages" except the founder of the church Brigham Young. There are very few "good people" in the film and mainly, you know it, Brigham Young. Brigham Young is the only "good and holy" person around.I'm sorry I don't by into the whole Brigham Young was the only non-savage person and basically the only "good" person around during those years. I'm not falling for this gimmick.They wanted to portray Brigham Young as a martyr and basically the only person that is "Christ-like" but it comes off as propaganda that I'm not going to swallow.1/10

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.

FightingWesterner Savage Journey is an interesting and ambitious, though somewhat amateurish and turgidly acted history of the Mormon faith from the meeting of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith, through the days of violent oppression in Missouri and Illinois, to the trek west and the founding of Salt Lake City.Made (I assume) with the cooperation of the LDS church, the film's decidedly pro-Mormon and thus not very objective, but it doesn't get too preachy, making it accessible to "gentile" viewers such as myself. It is sometimes pretty corny. (like the film's final scene)Richard Moll is pretty hard to take serious as LDS founder Joseph Smith. With his imposing look and shaggy black hair (I'm used to seeing him on "Night Court".) he looks more like a scary "fire and brimstone" preacher than a wise and gentle prophet.I'm surprised that something this frequently amateurish film is written and produced by Hollywood veteran Phillip Yordan and that the director of this fundamentalist Christian production is also responsible for the nudie movie Wilbur And The Baby Factory!

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.