Black Diamond Pictures present an R rated inspired by actual events film with an approximate running time of 110 minutes, directed by Christopher Cain and starring Jon Voight (Jacob Samuelson/Bishop/General), Trent Ford (Jonathan Samuelson), Tamara Hope (Emily Hudson), Jon Gries (John D. Lee), Taylor Handley (Micah Samuelson), Huntley Ritter (Robert Humphries), Shaun Johnston (Captain Fancher), Lolita Davidovich (Nancy Dunlap), Dean Cain (Joseph Smith), Terence Stamp (Brigham Young) and Daniel Libman (Reverend Hudson).
Whether in the 1800's or the millennium, is religious beliefs the creator of all evil and the basis behind terrorism? Standing on the ground of Meadow Mountain, Utah, one of history's worst massacres, it is the year 1877 and a man and young woman flashback twenty years earlier. Currently a trial is taking place against a group of Mormons, their Governor and Bishop for the brutal murders of over one hundred innocent travelers on their journey cross country from Missouri and Arkansas. The breathe of men, women and children of all ages traveling by horse covered wagons leading a herd of cattle and potential prize winning pregnant race horses searching for a new life in which to raise their families are forever lost on this piece of land.
The travelers encounter six riders on their way to California and ask for directions to the supply station and shelter from the local Indians. The leader of their group, Bishop allows them to camp up to two weeks in the meadows unknown to the travelers knowledge that he plots to kill them all in order to appease his God and seek the revenge of the murder of one of their profits, Joseph Smith. The Governor and Bishop not only bribe the Indian tribes to do their dirty work but when that fails look within themselves and that of the Day Nights led by John D. Lee to murder the innocent travelers.
The Film delves deep into the moral fiber of love and hate, religion and the struggle of inner beliefs within each group of characters. Love crosses over between Jonathan, Bishop's son and Emily, one of the traveling gentiles but hate enters this love at first sight romantic story when Bishop disallows any such relationship and jealousy from Robert causes some friction as well. Will Jonathan give his own life for that of the love he has found in Emily unlike the love that could possibly exist in his own faith where even his father has eighteen wives and ultimately watched the death of Jonathans own mother, doing nothing to help her. Interesting that the Christian travelers prayed thanks to their God for the help from this rogue group of Mormons who in turn prayed that they all go to hell.
There are some extremely phenomenal cinematic moments in this film as Jonathan is given the gift of a magnificent black sire as he trains it through the power of touch and understanding. Many beautiful scenes between Emily and Jonathan during their flourishing relationship are both tastefully and brilliantly acted and portrayed on a backdrop of moments in the great wilderness mountains.
The film has many depictions of violence from castration, to militia style murders that will truly make the audience think about their own beliefs and the religions in which we all follow. Times change, memories should fade as a tool to rebuild and learn from our gruesome mistakes but sad to say that as long as we follow the axis of evils within our own governments and religion there will never be the presence of peace not now, then nor ever. This film may point the finger at a certain group in history but throughout time it has truly reflected all religions and the evil that can spawn from within both on a group level and individually.
On September 11, 1857 when the horrific brutal massacre of innocent families occurs love is lost, lives are diminished and memories are scared for an eternity in the hearts of those that trusted. Mormons do your duty will forever be a phrase not long forgotten after seeing this film and the hatred that is depicted amongst religious beliefs will forever burden the hearts of the truly caring and nonjudgmental souls that walk this earth today. When one dies so maliciously due to the brutal hateful hands of others do we turn our cheek or seek revenge? I guess that answer is what is the foundation of wars, hate and the lack of respect for all God's creatures. Overall in the end someone must fall and most of the time it is the followers and not the true planners of the crimes that have seeded the evil thoughts in the minds of ones born innocent but led to follow the ignorant beliefs of their leaders.
To this day the Mormons still deny the history behind Brigham Young but in the eyes of their creator it will forever envision the truth. This film will not fair well with the Mormon faith but if theatre audiences are able to extract meaning from within its story it is truly worth seeing on the big screen. Not many well known actors are portrayed in this movie but I guarantee you'll see more of Trent Ford in more films to come. The direction, writing and score are brilliant and the acting by most of the main characters impeccable. But be prepared to leave the theatre with a heavy heart since this story line and the violence within it will leave you pondering the meaning of life and religious beliefs you carry in your own souls.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.