Movie Review: Joseph Smith and The Golden Plates

[Guest]

If you are the type of person who feels that LDS films are beyond criticism then please read no further, and by all means go see this picture.

For me, this movie was a real disappointment. As my wife said upon leaving the theater, “if the second half of this movie was replaced by Citizen Kane, it still would have sucked”.

This is not a version of Joseph Smith that will challenge any faithful Mormons’ view of Joseph Smith. Despite Richard Bushman being given a credit as “Historical Advisor”, there’s no seer stone, or translation by hat on display here or any other historical elements that would fall outside of the standard picture presented of Joseph in LDS Sunday School classes. Indeed, Joseph is shown translating the golden plates by diligently examining them uncovered directly in front of him, and is also shown receiving direct revelation at a moment’s notice which he then recites word-for-word to others in his presence.

That said, there is one noteworthy nod to non-Sunday-School history when there is a dialogue exchange between Joseph and his father, which is vague, but does contain at least a partial admission of Joseph’s early reputation as a treasure hunter and gold digger.

The first half of the film is mainly a Hollywood love story between Joseph and Emma, as he attempts to court her and win her father’s favor. After they’ve eloped, Joseph attempts again to win at least his acceptance of him as part of the family. Josiah Hale is at first a doubter and has worries about his daughter being married to Joseph, but in Hollywood style Joseph wins over Josiah and is lovingly and compassionately accepted by Josiah into the family. One can almost imagine what Bushman thought of the blatant historical inaccuracies during this part.

Much of the rest of the movie is composed of various characters sitting in chairs discussing things that happened off screen. I wonder why those things were not shown on-screen? Limited budget? Laziness? For example:

1. Joseph sits on a chair and talks about how, after he retrieved the Golden Plates he was chased, attacked and fought off his dark assailants to make it home. It sounds like it would be a very exciting and dramatic part of the film, right? Why aren’t we seeing that instead of Joseph describing this while sitting on a chair?

2. Martin Harris sits on a chair and tells others about how he took the translated manuscript home, and all the intrigue and what transpired between his wife and what other people thought. Why aren’t we seeing this dramatized?

3. The Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon sit on some chairs and tell others about their experience praying together, then Martin Harris feeling unworthy and leaving the group, and then the remaining others seeing an angel, etc. Again, this sounds like it could be a powerful scene that’s integral to the plot — why aren’t we seeing it instead of just hearing about it?

Maybe showing an actual fight scene between Joseph and his assailants in the woods wasn’t within the director’s capability. Perhaps the low budget didn’t allow many scenes and settings other than characters sitting on chairs and talking. Having these characters sit on chairs, telling their stories doesn’t create a good movie. The whole point of seeing a dramatization of the Joseph Smith story on the screen instead of hearing about it from a Sunday School manual is to actually see it dramatized.

There is a movie called "The Tree of Life” by Terrence Malick that should be available on DVD soon. It is a masterpiece about deep human emotions, evoked with sympathy and love. Go see it and it will help you realize how much "Joseph Smith and the Golden Plates'' sucks.

[_Buffalo]

Hmm, disappointing. I thought they were finally going to admit to a few warts at least.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Hmm, disappointing. I thought they were finally going to admit to a few warts at least.

The only reason I decided to watch this movie was because Richard Bushman was the "Historical Advisor" and I thought we were going to finally see a much more accurate portrayal of Joseph Smith. Obviously Richard Bushman didn't have ANY input on the historical accuracy of this movie. He can't be pleased with the finished product.

[_gramps]

I am waiting to see until it comes here to Europe, so that I can have a nice big lager while I watch it.

Perhaps that will help to dull the pain. Sounds like it was a pretty painful experience to sit through that whole thing.

Just think, how would they have handled the shootout at the jail? John Taylor sitting on a chair, holding his watch....

Boring stuff.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I am waiting to see until it comes here to Europe, so that I can have a nice big lager while I watch it.

Perhaps that will help to dull the pain. Sounds like it was a pretty painful experience to sit through that whole thing.

Just make sure you crush up some lortab with your big lager. Trust me, you'll need it.

Just think, how would they have handled the shootout at the jail? John Taylor sitting on a chair, holding his watch....

Don't worry, I'm sure the sequel will have plenty of people sitting around in chairs discussing all the exciting things which happened offscreen. No doubt, we will see John Taylor in a chair discussing the shootout.

[_Corpsegrinder]

1. Joseph sits on a chair and talks about how, after he retrieved the Golden Plates he was chased, attacked and fought off his dark assailants to make it home. It sounds like it would be a very exciting and dramatic part of the film, right? Why aren’t we seeing that instead of Joseph describing this while sitting on a chair?

2. Martin Harris sits on a chair and tells others about how he took the translated manuscript home, and all the intrigue and what transpired between his wife and what other people thought. Why aren’t we seeing this dramatized?

3. The Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon sit on some chairs and tell others about their experience praying together, then Martin Harris feeling unworthy and leaving the group, and then the remaining others seeing an angel, etc. Again, this sounds like it could be a powerful scene that’s integral to the plot — why aren’t we seeing it instead of just hearing about it?

…followed by Ebert & Roper who sit in some chairs and rip the movie to shreds in a clever and amusing manner. (No, that’s too much to hope for.)

I watched September Dawn a couple weeks ago, and as bad as that flick is, it’s still better than any of the mind-numbingly horrendous propaganda from the Church.