It occasionally catches its balance with bright supporting characters or compelling scenes, but then it stumbles again with mild scenes of characters having spiritual crises.
The Work and the Glory (2004)
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Synopsis: Adapted from Gerald N. Lund's best-selling series, "The Work and the Glory" is a moving love story set against the backdrop of religious intolerance on the American frontier of the early 1800's. Recently moved to upstate New York from the comfort of their Vermont homestead, the Benjamin... Adapted from Gerald N. Lund's best-selling series, "The Work and the Glory" is a moving love story set against the backdrop of religious intolerance on the American frontier of the early 1800's. Recently moved to upstate New York from the comfort of their Vermont homestead, the Benjamin Steed family makes their way into the established social structure of Palmyra. In their attempt to settle peacefully into the new community, they find that the help they have hired to clear their land is at the center of a religious controversy -- a controversy that threatens to tear the family apart. Two of the Steed brothers contend for the favor of a wealthy merchant's daughter, and they find themselves on opposite sides of the religious question. As the family struggles to smooth the contention, they find themselves twisted into deeper issues of family loyalty and the pursuit of truth. -- © Excel Entertainment [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Alexander Carroll, Eric Johnson, Tiffany Dupont, Sam Hennings, Brenda Strong
DVD Info
Release:
Feb 4, 2007
DVD Features:
- Widescreen
Additional release Material:
- Selected Commentary
Reviews
Offers an efficient and often credible, if overly sanitized, look at the time, place and circumstances in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born.
Earnest, admirable and pretty, but about as compelling as one of the blander episodes of 'Little House on the Prairie.'
Ultimately stumbles in its mission to make the founding of the Mormon religion interesting to a general audience.
...plays strictly to the faithful -- most anyone else will have trouble taking Joseph Smith seriously as a non-delusional human being.
A likable, ambitious film that does its proselytizing in a roundabout way until its clumsy, final half-hour.
It's hard to imagine this movie capturing an audience outside the Mormon community.
There's no denying there's a compelling movie in the life of the founder of the Mormon church, and there's also no denying that The Work and the Glory is not that film.
With improved production values also come high expectations, especially in terms of storytelling. So when the plotting and a few of the performances are just so-so, it's hard not to think of the film as at least a bit of a disappointment.
A smoothly mixed religious drama with all the professional production value you could expect from any film
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by: mrsilver 2/13/05
