Brigham Young (1940)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I always liked Tyrone Power, but am embarrassed that he chose to perform the title character in this extremely propagandist and revisionist fiction of Brigham Young's life. I have no idea if Tyrone Power was Mormon or not, but don't understand why he would star in this if he wasn't; he portrays Brigham Young as a Frontier version of Christ, and I am not kidding; if you removed the 1800s trappings, you would think he was playing Christ in certain scenes. However, he plays his scenes so flatly and so earnestly, that it flattens out what is already a cartoonlike character.The movie naturally leaves out important pieces of information: that a Mormon expedition en route to Utah committed one of the worst slaughters of pilgrims in American history, because they were paranoid that the government was after them; when they discovered that the survivors of their attack were in act simply other pilgrims they talked them into coming out of hiding, then shot them all dead; except for the small children, whom they forcefully adopted into their new cult. This massacre only became known 20 years later, and the government out of obligation chose one scapegoat to hang, as they couldn't be bothered to investigate the scope of this atrocity and prosecute the dozens of Mormon men who shot the Pilgrims in the head. The massacre is actually much worse than this, and easily searchable. Brigham Young was alive during this time, and denied it ever happened, although he had been advised it had occurred.The movie also leaves out the fact that Joseph Smith had served time in jail for conning people out of money multiple times; by promising to find water for them with special "stones" he possessed. He used this trick later when he claimed to have "Seer stones" to translate the golden plates he claimed to have found.During Mormonism's initial spread, women were actually kidnapped away from their husbands and families in neighboring states and forced to marry Mormons who already had multiple wives. The government never bothered to investigate these abductions, though they were recorded in the states where they occurred.Joseph Smith was not assassinated; he had come to a new town to spread his religion and gather more wives, and the townspeople tried to lynch him; he shot three of them dead before they managed to kill this cynical huckster.This movie is an artifact of its time; it is useful in demonstrating how dangerous whitewashing history and religions can be. Someday L. Ron Hubbard will be seen as the Christ figure who was shown Scientology by God; today in Russia, Stalin is actually being considered by the Russian Orthodox Church as a candidate for sainthood; a monster who murdered up to 30 million of his own people during his time as dictator. Whenever you see any movie like Brigham Young that portrays a historical figure in Christlike terms, be very suspicious. It's not as harmless as it seems....Also be very suspicious of glowing reviews of a movie made 70 years ago, by people watching it today and calling it the most brilliant, accurate historical drama you can see. It makes you wonder what their relationship is to the religion this movie is a tribute to.

The early years of the Mormon faith, from oppression in Illinois and the murder of Joseph Smith (Vincent Price), to the first fateful year at the great Salt Lake, is seen through the eyes of Brigham Young (Dean Jagger), young Mormon follower Tyrone Power, and non-Mormon Linda Darnell, who's father was murdered trying to protect Power's farm.Jagger is appropriately stoic and dignified, while Price gives an early atypical performance, without a drop of he hamminess that his fans love him for. Fellow future horror star John Carradine is quite memorable as a tough, long-haired mountain man, who was interesting enough to have warranted his own movie.The movie does a good job of portraying the stark terror of Smith and his followers' persecution. That part is so potent that their subsequent hardships seem almost tame in comparison. Still, it's good, uplifting entertainment, even for those largely unfamiliar with the LDS religion.While I don't know what characters were real or imagined, that of top-billed Power and Linda Darnell, as pleasant as they are, seem a bit contrived for marquee purposes, as does "villain" Brian Donlevy.

The movie has many good points. It is a clean movie you don't have to be ashamed to have the kids see.It has some fun scenes and leaves you feeling good. It's also a good example of movie making style from the time period.Unfortunately, it also has many bad points. It isn't historically accurate. In fact, a lot of the Brigham Young bits really play loose with the truth. There's no documented evidence that Brigham Young had the religious doubts that the movie shows. In fact, all historical evidence is to exactly the opposite.Vincent Price as the Prophet Joseph Smith is a bit over the top.There are far, far worse ways to enjoy a box of popcorn. But don't expect high art.

Fox's epic telling of one a America's greatest pioneering efforts comes to DVD with some truly outstanding "Extras". BRIGHAM YOUNG (The "Frontiersman" was added for the European release), telling the story the great pioneer leader, who under inspiration brought members of the Mormon faith (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)out to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, after mobs murdered their prophet/leader, Joseph Smith (played by Vincent Price), was brought to the screen in 1940, just as America was about to enter World War II. It was a daring move on Fox chief, Darryl F. Zanuck and it was a breath of fresh air to the Mormon people, as this was the first film attempt to favorably show their faith on the screen. Now Fox, working with James D'Arc, curator of the excellent Motion Picture Archives at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, has brought this film to the DVD format in an outstading edition. Mr. D'Arc, who some years ago did his doctoral dissertation on the film, has provided one of the most in depth commentary tracks ever done for a DVD. He seperates the fact from the fiction and lets listeners understand why this films was so much appreciated by Church Leaders even though embellishments to the truth run throughout the film. One of the fun bits of information deals with Dean Jagger, the actor who plays the title role. Many years after the film he married a Latter-saint woman and was eventually converted to the LDS faith. There is much to be learned from D'Arc's knowledge and it is great to have this as part of the DVD! There are over 100 pictures from the Fox & BYU Archives included on the disc, plus newsreel footage of the incredible premiere at seven theatres in Salt Lake City. Thanks FOX for another outstanding DVD -- and thank you, James D'Arc for your great commentary!