The Work and the Glory (2004)

Director:

Russell Holt

Writers:

Russell Holt (writer)
Gerald N. Lund (novel)

Release Date:

21 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

Tagline:

One Man....A Remarkable Vision; One Family....A Desperate Struggle

Plot:

Recently moved to upstate New York from the comfort of their Vermont homestead, the Benjamin Steed family...

Plot Keywords:

Lds Film | 1820s | First Of Series | Religion | Mormon

Cast

Sam Hennings	...	Benjamin Steed
Brenda Strong	...	Mary Ann Steed
Eric Johnson	...	Joshua Steed
Alexander Carroll	...	Nathan Steed
Tiffany Dupont	...	Lydia McBride
Brighton Hertford	...	Melissa Steed / Narrator
Kimberly Varadi	...	Becca Steed
Colin Ford	...	Matthew Steed
Kathryn Firago	...	Hannah McBride
Jim Grimshaw	...	Josiah McBride
Jonathan Scarfe	...	Joseph Smith
Sarah Darling	...	Emma Smith
Edward Albert	...	Martin Harris
Ryan Wood	...	Hyrum Smith
Jordan Rose Tarter	...	Sophronia Smith

Also Known As:

Pillar of Light: The Work and the Glory (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements and violence.

Runtime:

USA:110 min | USA:118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Johnson City, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Manchester Pictures

Trivia:

The script required composer Sam Cardon to write an original period violin piece that the character of Lydia McBride would play. He anticipated that Tiffany Dupont, who plays Lydia would just act like she was playing for the camera and then they would mix the sound in for the final cut. But by mere chance, Tiffany Dupont majored in violin at the University of Georgia and she ended up playing the piece live for the camera.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: While Joseph Smith chases through the woods, cords from the boom mic come into full view for almost two seconds.

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided (2006)

Mormon History Made Accessible

Religion as a subject for movies can be very tricky. On the one hand, some people often dismiss out of hand any movie that has a religious theme. They think of them as nothing more that an effort at proselytizing and preaching. Many people avoid these movies like the plague. However, on the other hand, over the years many movies with religious elements have been made which won wide acceptance. The epics such as The Ten Commandments come to mind, but also along the way there have been historical little movies that manage to be appealing to a wide audience in spite of their religious themes. Movies like Boys Town, The Bells of St. Mary and The Song of Bernadette come to mind. These are movies that inspire and uplift us, but also entertain us at the same time. The Work and the Glory is a worthy new entrant into this category.

The Work and the Glory can't avoid the subject of Mormonism. That is what it's about. So they just present the Mormon facts honestly and sincerely, without preaching, or excuses, or embarrassment. The movie is about the founding of the church by Joseph Smith as seen through the eyes of the fictional Steed Family. Their introduction to Mormonism and Joseph Smith causes family rifts and tensions that provide the dramatic action for the movie.

The movie is beautiful; with wondrous cinematography, a glorious soundtrack, solid acting by a professional cast and exquisite attention to period detail. (This period in US history is sandwiched between the American Revolution and the Civil War and hardy every gets any attention. This movie transports you back to that age and time splendidly and effortlessly.)

The love triangle between the two Steed brothers and the wealthy merchant's daughter are genuinely and tastefully portrayed, but the real genius of the movie lies in its depiction of the almost reluctant person of Joseph Smith. The boy who saw the vision, and almost against his own will and at great personal peril, was selected to be the vessel for the founding of Mormonism.

He has a very human spirit and an accessible warmth that is very appealing.

There is nothing of the austere and pompous personality you would expect in a religious icon.

Anyone, Mormon or not, who wants to be enthralled by a beautifully staged, historically significant slice of Americana would do well to see this movie.

You shouldn't let your prejudices, pro-Mormon or anti-Mormon color your experience. Just let the movie wash over you and take your breath away. It's worth it.