Review of September Dawn (2007) by Jim G — 21 Nov 2010

This is the very definition of a mediocre filmâ"itâ(TM)s a mix of solid performances (e.g., Jon Voigt, who seems to have cornered the market on cold, unflinching, ruthless elder statesmen/scary old white dude roles), interesting depictions of little-known historical events (like the Mountain Meadows massacre perpetrated by the Mormons), a misguided Romeo-and-Juliet style star-crossed lovers subplot (Mormon scion falls passionately in love with a young gentile womanâ"in the space of a week), and some of the lousiest writing ever to be foisted upon professional actors.

I do credit the film for treating one of the most appalling events in the history of any religion with an appropriate mix of horror and detachment and for making a genuine effort to provide a dramatic context for the senseless slaughter of innocent pioneers at the hands of maniacal Mormon Church elders (Brigham Young among them).

Other parts of the film just make very little sense, dramatically or historicallyâ"why waste 20 minutes of screen time depicting the Mormon scionâ(TM)s uncanny ability to âbreakâ? an ornery stallion? Why cast Dean Cain (yes, the Superman of âLois and Clarkâ?) as Joseph Smith? (Heâ(TM)s on screen very briefly but long enough to make you scoff at the awful casting choice.

) So ultimately this film is a very mixed bagâ"recommended only for those who have a genuine curiosity about Mormon history.