After much procrastination, I finally went to see this movie with my wife and a close friend while we were in Utah on a visit from our home in Wisconsin. Truth be told, I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed on a couple of fronts; first, in that the movies are generally not as true to the books as they should be, and second, given that this movie was geared to the LDS community, past movies that were geared to LDS audiences (with the exceptions of The Singles Ward, Brigham City and The Best Two Years) have left me with very low expectations for LDS filmmakers.
I am happy to say that this film far exceeded my expectations on both fronts, and has proved that LDS filmmakers can and indeed do produce excellent work that is not limited to Richard Dutcher alone, and that the bar has indeed been considerably raised for future work within the LDS film community. What's more, those who are not of the LDS persuasion will be far less likely to look at LDS movies and giggle and titter, much like I did.
Let's face it, fellow church members. Didn't you giggle yourselves silly through some of the cheesy films that were made either by BYU Films or others who could at best be described as wannabes? After all, for the longest time (and I may add, WAY TOO LONG) previous LDS-oriented films at one time were those cheesy second or even third-rate productions that seemed more like after-school projects for BYU students looking for some extra part-time cash.
Unlike the abomination that had the gall/temerity to pass itself off as the 'so-called' Book of Mormon 'movie' in which half of any group watching the film had the good sense to get up and walk out, lest that sacred volume of scripture have any more injustice done to it by a bunch of amateurs who should be working at Burger King instead, the dialog in 'The Work and The Glory' was realistic and era-appropriate. The scenery was well-done for the time portrayed, and great attention to detail was paid to ensure that the film was historically accurate while staying true to the book. The characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional, exposing both their flaws and strengths, thus making themselves people that many of us could identify with. Whether it is sibling rivalry as in the two brothers competing for Lydia McBride's heart, or Joseph Smith finding himself thrust into a role he neither sought nor expected, we see through a confluence of events, a meeting of ordinary people under extraordinary circumstances, and that is what makes this film work so well.
While overall casting in the film was exceptional, as it pertains to Joseph Smith's role in the film: Jonathan Scarfe was (simply put) inspired casting for the part. I have seen others portray the prophet in the past, but nobody, and I mean NOBODY can hold a candle to Jonathan in his portrayal of young Joseph.
Regardless of your religious persuasion or even if you have no religious leaning at all 'The Work and The Glory' is a welcome addition to any video library, as it will provide many hours of enjoyable viewing with repeated watching.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 12/10! ***
I am happy to say that this film far exceeded my expectations on both fronts, and has proved that LDS filmmakers can and indeed do produce excellent work that is not limited to Richard Dutcher alone, and that the bar has indeed been considerably raised for future work within the LDS film community. What's more, those who are not of the LDS persuasion will be far less likely to look at LDS movies and giggle and titter, much like I did.
Let's face it, fellow church members. Didn't you giggle yourselves silly through some of the cheesy films that were made either by BYU Films or others who could at best be described as wannabes? After all, for the longest time (and I may add, WAY TOO LONG) previous LDS-oriented films at one time were those cheesy second or even third-rate productions that seemed more like after-school projects for BYU students looking for some extra part-time cash.
Unlike the abomination that had the gall/temerity to pass itself off as the 'so-called' Book of Mormon 'movie' in which half of any group watching the film had the good sense to get up and walk out, lest that sacred volume of scripture have any more injustice done to it by a bunch of amateurs who should be working at Burger King instead, the dialog in 'The Work and The Glory' was realistic and era-appropriate. The scenery was well-done for the time portrayed, and great attention to detail was paid to ensure that the film was historically accurate while staying true to the book. The characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional, exposing both their flaws and strengths, thus making themselves people that many of us could identify with. Whether it is sibling rivalry as in the two brothers competing for Lydia McBride's heart, or Joseph Smith finding himself thrust into a role he neither sought nor expected, we see through a confluence of events, a meeting of ordinary people under extraordinary circumstances, and that is what makes this film work so well.
While overall casting in the film was exceptional, as it pertains to Joseph Smith's role in the film: Jonathan Scarfe was (simply put) inspired casting for the part. I have seen others portray the prophet in the past, but nobody, and I mean NOBODY can hold a candle to Jonathan in his portrayal of young Joseph.
Regardless of your religious persuasion or even if you have no religious leaning at all 'The Work and The Glory' is a welcome addition to any video library, as it will provide many hours of enjoyable viewing with repeated watching.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 12/10! ***