The Work and the Glory II: American Zion (2005)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Sterling Van Wagenen

Writers:

Gerald N. Lund (novel)
Matt Whitaker (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Every Dream Has A Price

Plot:

In November of 1833, the state of Missouri turned a blind eye as hundreds of its peaceful inhabitants...

Plot Keywords:

Missouri | Mormon | Second Part | Sequel | Latter Day Saints

Cast

Sam Hennings	...	Benjamin Steed
Brenda Strong	...	Mary Ann Steed
Eric Johnson	...	Joshua Steed
Alexander Carroll	...	Nathan Steed
Brighton Hertford	...	Melissa Steed
Kimberly Varadi	...	Becca Steed
Colin Ford	...	Matthew Steed
Sarah Bastian	...	Lydia Steed (as Sera Bastian)
Emily Podleski	...	Jessica Roundy
Jim Grimshaw	...	Josiah McBride
Jonathan Scarfe	...	Joseph Smith
Melanie Hawkins	...	Emma Smith
Frank Ashmore	...	Martin Harris
Curtis Andersen	...	Carl Rogers
Jeff Ham	...	Obadiah Cornwell

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence.

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Johnson City, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Vineyard Productions

Trivia:

Based on the second book in the series, "Like A Fire is Burning"

Quotes:

Nathan Steed: At our wedding, you told us something.
Joseph Smith: I believe I told you to kiss the girl.

Movie Connections:

Follows The Work and the Glory (2004)

Story of one family's trials and blessings in early LDS history

The movie was a bit violent, but then, those were violent times. Joseph and others were tared and today, that would be a crime which would place them into police custody. The movie was well done. I think the characters were very well (fleshed out). It was a pleasure to see the human side of the Prophet Joseph. I am sure he got tired and I know he grieved for his lost children. The cast have captured the flavor of the books, and I look forward to seeing the next installment. I think the clothing was well done, those shirts looked SO uncomfortable! I don't know if they were in the 1830's, but they surely didn't have the wonderful fabrics we do today, and everything was made by hand, and they were not wealthy people (except Martin Harris) so their clothing was a reflection of that. By the way, the narrator has a clear and easy to listen to voice. The only vague things were based on the relationships with Ben/Joshua and Joshua/Jessica. If some one hadn't read the books, or see the last movie, they might not really understand what makes Ben and Joshua so angry with each other. Maybe that should be a little more clear in the future. After all, if they are going to make (9) movies, people will need to understand each movie as though it were standing on it's own. It is a movie after all, not a mini-series for TV.