The Work and the Glory (2005)

Incredible drama. Great family investment. Strong emotion range. Leaves a lasting impression.

PG 13 seems unfair. The violence and injustices imposed by the mobs upon the LDS saints in Missouri is a part of history. The author did not avoid these facts in the movie. The prophet Joseph Smith was "tarred and feathered", the Morning and Evening Star printing press was destroyed and WW Phelps tarred and feathered, the mobs did rape and kill innocent citizens of the United States, US citizen private property was seized without legal preemptive powers, and the people were hunted and force to be exiled in the dead of winter without protection state or federal militia; and many suffered horrible circumstances that go beyond civilized acceptance as their feet bleed from exposure to the ice.

The director is not excessive on depicting the violence of the mobs rather briefly outlines the consequences of the violence. The audience is left to deduct the degree of mob violence from the evidences that caused the people to live in tents, crude shacks, and leave their possessions too migrate from Missouri to Ohio. The concept of zion is introduced. The Stead family is divided between those who will go to Ohio and those who will remain on the farm. The drama between father and daughter is powerful demonstrating the independence of thought that LDS women possess. Ben listens too his children. The character of Newel K Whitney is impressive, as the fictional character of Joseph Smith greets him and says, "You have prayed me here, what do you want of me".

Work and Glory II includes some of the best drama, I've seen this year. The character of Joshua Stead was brilliantly crafted. One really hates Joshua Stead's character by the end of the movie. Joshua marries a prostitute, who later leaves Joshua, joins the LDS church through the teaching of Parley Pratt, and survives the mob raids in Jackson County Missouri. Joshua incited the mobs to attack the saints in Missouri; he denies know his brother Nathan and tells the mobs he is a Mormon leading to a severe whipping leaving him never death; he beats his pregnant wife after she abandons him during a gabbling scheme; he points a gun at his father Ben Stead; and he helps organize the band that drives the saints out of Missouri. Ben disowns Joshua from the family. This creates a bitter feud between father and son.

The character of Ben Stead is very likeable and dramatic. You feel the full emotion of a loving father, as Ben Stead sells his farm in Palmyra, NY and joins his family in Kirkland, Ohio; when Ben Stead decides to build a home of Nathan and his new bride; when he joins Zion's camp to retake stolen property in Missouri; when he sings a lullaby too Joshua's daughter; and when he does not shoot Joshua after the beating of Nathan. The fictional character interaction between Joseph Smith, Ben Stead, Martin Harris, Parley P Pratt, and Brigham Young pivots around the redemption of the Stead family. Ben Stead will decide to defend the project Joseph Smith; Ben will experience contentment as Nathan son is born; Ben will experience the miracle of deliverance at Zions camp; Ben will become a friend too the prophet Joseph Smith and receive counsel from him that will save his family; and Ben will see the completion of the Kirkland temple.

The Work and Glory II includes beautiful scenery, background scenes of snow-covered mountains, forest scenes of NY and Missouri. The tavern is depicted as dull color, dingy, and a gathering place of vice. The mob scenes are usually at night and there characters seem dirty, ragged, and sarcastic. This movie is worth the money to spend on your family. Entertainment quality is excellent, spans a wide ranges of emotions from anger, hatred, compassion, mercy, and vindication. Work and Glory II leaves the audience in a cliff-hanger the next movie too be released in 2006. Joshua is united with his family.
January 7, 2006

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