What do Mormons think of the movie September Dawn? I heard the church blacklisted it...?

Question

What is your opinion on this movie, do you think you might see it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_Dawn

it got really bad reviews
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/september_dawn/

oh yeah they won't watch it anyway because its rated R, I forgot about that little technicality

Answer 1

I probably won't see it because it has atrocious reviews:

Roger Ebert gave it ZERO stars (out of 4):
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_RelishArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352471460&path=!entertainment!general!&s=1037645508970

Rottentomatoes.com has it at a 15% approval rating and a 0% Cream of the Crop rating:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/september_dawn/

One quote:
"When watching the screen depiction of a historic event in which 120 people were murdered, giggling is not the appropriate response."

Answer 2

From the PR done for the movie, I was given the distinct impression that it was going to be blatantly anti-Mormon [with actors and directors not only comparing it to 9/11, but saying mormons were the original terrorists,etc]. I saw no reason to financially support that kind of hatred toward something I revere. I live about 15 miles from where the massacre occurred. I am well acquainted with the history. It was a tragedy. It was horrible. It was not, however, a mormon conspiracy. It was a matter of scared men pressuring their local militia leaders into action - then when it became appearant that they were in error, they compounded the situation by murdering everyone in the wagon train to hide their errors. Brigham Young did not give the orders or the appearance there of. He condemned the actions of those involved. The rider sent to Brigham for instructions before the incident began arrived back in Cedar City days after the murders [it's more than 250 miles of mountainous terrain between Cedar City and Salt Lake - the man made the trek in 6 days]. I will attach the link for the best information I have found on this story.

Answer 3

I don't want to see it, not just because it is rated R, but I heard it's really poorly shot, the lighting is off, the dialog is really bad, and the depictions aren't even historically accurate. All of those added together make me not want to see it. I heard from someone that had seen the premier that it ended up being like Science Fiction Theater 3000, every one was commenting on how bad it was, and this from the crictics!!! So, all that being said, nope, I won't watch it... but Uncle Rico in another movie might be worth it!!! And Terence Stamp.. he's a hottie!!!

Answer 4

Hey Lindsey, just letting you know that the Church doesn't blacklist anything. It's each and every member's choice what they do and don't watch.

I never say never, but I do avoid watching R-rated movies mainly because of the language, sexuality and other various gratuitous situations movies portray these days.

I wouldn't not watch it simply because it depicts the church in a dark light though.

Edit: Dane, well it was a pretty violent massacre, from what I understand. So while I can understand the R rating, I still choose not to go see it.

Answer 5

There are statements made in that movie that are inaccurate and presumed. The writers took liberty to share things not founded in fact; ie tying the event to Brigham Young. The perpetrators acted on their own and disobeyed Church counsel to let the settlers pass through unmolested. Nonetheless, as a Mormon I do not condone or excuse the events of Mountain Meadows. There is never ever any justification to do what was done. Those who did do the act, will stand before God and be held accountable. Just as we all we so stand and have to be accountable for our deeds done while here on this earth.

Answer 6

I will definitely see it... not that Jon Voigt is my favorite actor or anything, but I think it's important to be made aware of the atrocities 150 years afterwards, because it is a story that has been long-repressed.

I'm glad the Church at least discussed the event in the Ensign, but I think it was a proactive move to set the members' mindframe for when hundreds of thousands of them inevitably go see the movie in theatres. That way, they'll assume the Church's version of the story is true, and that the film is "anti-mormon lies." If they had waited before publishing such a story, though, it would have been seen as "putting a spin" on the issue and wouldn't have been nearly as effective.

In any case, it will do a lot of good for members and non-members of the LDS Church to go and see it.

Answer 7

When I first heard about it, I was planning on seeing it., but like Socmum, I won't see it because of the rating. I was wondering about that. Why would they make a movie about Mormon history with a rating that most Mormons wouldn't watch?

Answer 8

I didn't see pasion of the christ because I don't need to see the blood and gore to know what he went through. For very similar reasons I do not need to see September dawn.

It is unfortunate that certain people decided to take upon themselves the right to determine the fate of others. What they did was wrong and was never condoned by the church. I dont need to see a film to understand that.

Answer 9

Its rated R. Us active Mormons do not watch R-rated movies.

Answer 10

Personally, I'm not a fan of any kind of religious romance films or historical films of massacres of any kind of people...I haven't even seen, "Schlinder's List."

I've also never heard of this movie until you brought it up.

I think most Hollywood film productions are hardly ever historically accurate.