Comments on: Based on Actual Events. No, Really.

By: Velikiye Kniaz

Velikiye Kniaz — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:05:52 +0000

Upon some belated research, I confess that I was in error, Jacob B. Backenstos never did unite himself with the Latter-day Saints. But he was, nonetheless, a true and genuine friend of the Latter-day Saints during those dark last days of Nauvoo before the Saints went west.

By: Velikiye Kniaz

Velikiye Kniaz — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:49:50 +0000

Thaddeus, the person from whose perspective the story could be told is Hancock County Sheriff Jacob B. Backenstos, although he was actually elected to that position in 1845. (Hollywood won’t have the slighest problem rolling that back five years for the sake of the story.) He was a sympathetic non-Mormon whose life was actually saved by Orrin Porter Rockwell after the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch. The sheriff had tried to serve a warrant for the arrest of Frank Worrell, the leader of the mob at the Carthage Jail, only to be chased by Worrell and a dozen of his cronies/mobbers. The sheriff was riding hell bent for leather down towards Nauvoo when he met Rockwell on the road. He deputised him and ordered Rockwell to save him. Just at that moment, Worrell came over the rise leading his friends and Rockwell recognized him as the mob leader. Rockwell had already personally sworn to heaven that he would avenge the Prophet’s death, so he took aim at Worrell’s belt metal buckle and fired. Rockwell’s aim was accurate and precise, and the bullet left a hole in the center of the buckle. Worrell doubled over as his horse spun and the murderer fell to the ground. His friends immediately turned tail and galloped away leaving their friend in the dust. The sheriff continued to be a friend to the Saints and eventually joined the Church. so I believe that, perspective-wise, he’s your man. He saw it all, mostly through the eyes of an outsider.

By: American Yak

American Yak — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:49:57 +0000

PLEASE don’t ever cast Christian Bale as Joseph Smith. Ever. EVER. He’s the too-obvious-go-to choice. I’m tired of the idea that he plays the spiritual/religious lead. Go for less obvious.

Any of the following may be a little too old, but they can carry youth: Adrien Brody (“ugly,” but really, remarkably beautiful, a perfect combination for such a role), Daniel Day Lewis (what can he *not* do?), Ralph Fiennes (not as keen to this, but he seems to fit our stereotype of Joseph).

For younger picks, Joaquin Phoenix or Cillian Murphy would do awesome for *either* Joseph or Brigham. Cillian often gets the villain role, but, as often is the case, putting someone of caliber in an unexpected role can prove judicious.

Josh Brolin would be *okay* but he’s too two dimensional. I like to think Brigham was as multifaceted as was Joseph, even though he is known for his more stoic, hardy side. For that matter, I *could* see Christian Bale in Brigham’s role, especially after watching 3:10 to Yuma. But no Joseph.

Emma’s a little harder. Bryce Dallas Howard has the right softness, but probably not enough character/earthiness. Miranda Otto might be a good pick (just die the hair). Better yet, Chloë Sevigny. (I know, she already plays a fringe Mormon, but she would be perfect.) (Again, die the hair.)

So yeah, fun game all right. :)

By: Susan M

Susan M — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:47:14 +0000

Ugh. I might have to apostatize if Brad Pitt played Joseph Smith.

Donald Sutherland is way too old.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:55:54 +0000

Mostly about freedom? You better go watch it again. It’s about Faith with a capital F.

By: Bret

Bret — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:30:05 +0000

David, Agreed

MCQ,

Ten Commandments is about as close as anyone’s got (though I might make the argument it was mostly about freedom, a little but about faith) I haven’t seen the Chosen. I’m sure it can be done if it had the right script but I think it really needs the right director as well. That’s a rarity, especially nowadays:)

Thaddeus,

I love that idea! Probably the best chance to help people understand

By: MCQ

MCQ — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:44:20 +0000

People who say Hollywood can’t tell a sympathetic story of faith are just wrong. There have been many movies that have done just that, starting with the obvious one, The Ten Commandments. The Chosen was made into a movie too. It can be done, it just needs the right script.

By: Thaddeus

Thaddeus — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:21:54 +0000

I think a movie like this would be terrific. Even if it doesn’t portray Mormonism in the way we’d like, it will make our story accessible and people will begin looking more deeply into it.

Heh. It’ll make them want to finally read their copy of the Book of Mormon. (Don’t tell them it isn’t about the Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo church).

I like the idea of telling the story from an outside perspective. Perhaps, an Illinoisan who sees the invading religious group and at first balks at their beliefs, then becomes vaguely interested and credulous, and in the end disbelieving but sympathetic when the mobs attack. Maybe with a glimmer of wishing it were true.

By: David T.

David T. — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:01:44 +0000

Bret,

I really, really doubt it. I suspect the No on H8! folks will put out the 11 bucks for it, and that’s about it. I think the country is sick and tired of the whole subject.

By: Bret

Bret — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:45:54 +0000

Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you were, but I still think people think our history (with all the miracles and what not) and especially our doctrines and beliefs are just too crazy and weird to take seriously enough to do it justice. It won’t help if this new supposed documentary/muckraker film on prop 8 is widely seen.