God's Army (2000)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Richard Dutcher

Writer:

Richard Dutcher (writer)

Release Date:

10 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Saving the world one soul at a time

Plot:

Life as a Mormon missionary isn't what 19-year-old Brandon Allen expected: so many rules and so few successes...

Plot Keywords:

Missionary | Mormon | Latter Day Saints | Los Angeles California | Baptism

Cast

Matthew A. Brown	...	Elder Allen
Richard Dutcher	...	Elder Dalton
Jacque Gray	...	Sister Fronk
Jeffrey Scott Kelly	...	Elder Mangum
Desean Terry	...	Elder Banks
Michael Buster	...	Elder Kinegar
Luis Robledo	...	Elder Sandoval
John Pentecost	...	President Beecroft
Lynne Carr	...	Sister Beecroft
Kelli Coleman	...	Sister Monson
Anthony Anselmi	...	Elder Harmer
Peter Jackson	...	Elder Downey
Seamus Hurley	...	Elder Rex
Francine Riber	...	Connie
Fawn Perez	...	Laura

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

New Zealand:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Main Street Movie Company

Trivia:

The Elder Allen character background is loosely based on Richard Dutcher's own life.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Elder Sandoval is seen playing a guitar. Musical instruments are allowed on Mormon missions, though many forgo them, preferring to travel light.

Quotes:

Allen: Should we take the bus?
Dalton: I don't want to take the bus.
Allen: You're not tired?
Dalton: I'm exhausted, but if I sit down I'll fall asleep. If I fall asleep I'll probably lapse into a coma. If I lapse into a coma, I'll probably die, so I don't want to take the bus.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The R.M. (2003)

Soundtrack:

Seven Wonders

Down-to-earth, not sugared and realistic story

It would be honest to say first that I'm LDS and a returned missionary. I am one of those that has been waiting many years for "God's Army". A movie that does not proselitize, does not explain doctrine or portraits us as "perfect and beautiful". It shows reality, it shows people that have reached their own testimonies, people struggling to understand their faith, and people attracted to find answers in the writings of the anti-mormons. It shows one big true: the real answers must come from inside, rather than people that have or not have the faith. It is inspiring to observe Elder Allen's gradual change into religious maturity, knowing for himself. Very well portraited: no thunder or lightning involved, just the time spent alone with God. The experiences in the mission field are so realistic that anybody who was in a mission could relate to them. Give me 20 or 30 returned missionaries and we can put together all of them and more. The healing miracle... When I saw the film I knew that this could bring controversy, even among LDS people. Then I thought: Why not? Miracles like this happen every day in the world. I've seen it myself. Again, why not? Is was totally justified and possible for somebody that strives for doing the right thing. It is possible, like knowing about the coming of your own death. For all those criticize the lack of some doctrinal answers, I say that this is not the place to look for them. This is a movie about people, not about doctrine. It shows an aspect of the mormon culture, and it is very well done. I wait for more.

Fer