I personally loved how crisp the picture was and how beautiful many of the nature shots were. The cinematography was simply superb.
Acting was quite well done: especially for the younger Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother Alvin. Emma plays her role in the film quite beautifully.
However, this is film was woefully short of historical accuracy. I cannot recommend it for serious students of the LDS Church and the life of Joseph Smith.
My three big gripes: 1) Portrayal of Joseph and Emma's Marriage In reality, Joseph and Emma's marriage was severely strained (quite early in the relationship I might add). Polygamy deeply drove a rift between Emma and Joseph. As early as 1833, Joseph Smith began practicing polygamy. The first incident set a pattern for following relationships:
Around 1833, Emma and Joseph adopted a young Fanny Alger into their household. Emma loved the dear girl and -for a while- everyone approved of the Smith household. However, Joseph took Fanny Alger as his wife in private. When Emma discovered this, she threw the girl out of the house. Many of the townsfolk had already grown suspicious of Joseph's behaviour with the young girl and were confirmed by Emma's broken heart.
A more accurate portrayal of Emma would have acknowledge her personal suffering and loss. Not a word creeps into the film that confirms Joseph was involved in polygamy - despite having married around 31 women in his lifetime.
2) Joseph's Character The film, especially in regards to my last statement, avoids the questionable aspects of Joseph's character and history. I understand why the LDS church does this but I am dismayed. Joseph's illegal bank at Kirtland, failed presidency attempt, his personal pride (read the Official History of the Church for examples), criminal history as a youth (he was charged with fraud and glass-looking after conning a near-by farmer as a youth), etc. Very little of the film shows a balanced portrayal of Joseph Smith, Jr. The best history is accurate history: not such a whitewashed presentation.
In all, the film is beautiful... but is a beautiful fiction. As a film that in many respects was trying to portray a historical Joseph Smith, it failed.
Acting was quite well done: especially for the younger Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother Alvin. Emma plays her role in the film quite beautifully.
However, this is film was woefully short of historical accuracy. I cannot recommend it for serious students of the LDS Church and the life of Joseph Smith.
My three big gripes: 1) Portrayal of Joseph and Emma's Marriage In reality, Joseph and Emma's marriage was severely strained (quite early in the relationship I might add). Polygamy deeply drove a rift between Emma and Joseph. As early as 1833, Joseph Smith began practicing polygamy. The first incident set a pattern for following relationships:
Around 1833, Emma and Joseph adopted a young Fanny Alger into their household. Emma loved the dear girl and -for a while- everyone approved of the Smith household. However, Joseph took Fanny Alger as his wife in private. When Emma discovered this, she threw the girl out of the house. Many of the townsfolk had already grown suspicious of Joseph's behaviour with the young girl and were confirmed by Emma's broken heart.
A more accurate portrayal of Emma would have acknowledge her personal suffering and loss. Not a word creeps into the film that confirms Joseph was involved in polygamy - despite having married around 31 women in his lifetime.
2) Joseph's Character The film, especially in regards to my last statement, avoids the questionable aspects of Joseph's character and history. I understand why the LDS church does this but I am dismayed. Joseph's illegal bank at Kirtland, failed presidency attempt, his personal pride (read the Official History of the Church for examples), criminal history as a youth (he was charged with fraud and glass-looking after conning a near-by farmer as a youth), etc. Very little of the film shows a balanced portrayal of Joseph Smith, Jr. The best history is accurate history: not such a whitewashed presentation.
In all, the film is beautiful... but is a beautiful fiction. As a film that in many respects was trying to portray a historical Joseph Smith, it failed.