User reviews

I can't believe some reviewers ase calling this factual in any way. It really proves that Mormons don't know their own history other than the sugar coated stories they're told as children.

This movie is not historically accurate, it's more fan fiction which would be fine but it claims to be accurate.

The church use to excommunicate people for teaching that Joseph Smith translated from a hat. Most of this is white washed history.

"Historically accurate!" "Honest!" "Amazing film!"

These are how positive reviews are framing this story of a two-bit conman and his hapless marks.

If you're unsure if this movie is worth your time - ask yourself... do you trust positive reviews from people who believe a conman's story about speaking to god via a stone he was hiding away inside of a hat that only he was allowed to look at, along with golden tablets he received (but didn't let anyone else see and mysteriously disappeared never to be found) and translated as the word of god himself?

If you trust the positive reviews coming from people who believe this obvious conman spoke the truth - then this movie is for you.

If, however, you are capable of thinking about something without drooling all over yourself then you probably won't enjoy this movie.

The title says it all. Well made. Just unfortunate that its about j.smith and his "witnesses " and the prop plates that are in this film have probably been seen by more people than the supposedly. Real ones.

Tons of antagonists of the church are rating this movie hoping it will make them feel better about their lives. This movie is amazing! I saw it in theaters and bought the movie as soon as I could. It's a beautiful depiction of the events with the 3 witnesses of the Book of Mormon translation. I would highly recommend this movie to everyone!

Its mildly interesting dramatisation as to the fiction that the Mormans are told as hearsay and given in the book of Mormon but to suggest that this nonsense is somehow factual in terms of any of those events actually happening is ridiculous. Where are all these gold tablets? Since when has god needed "seer stones"? Just another set of gullible people conned for money and influence. Has to be minimum rated because its dishonest and tries to present this as somehow true or evidential.

The West End play "the Book of Mormon" is more accurate and informative.

This movie was a wonderful portrayal of the lives of many early Latter-day Saints, including in particular Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. The story was accurate and the acting and filmography were superb. The movie highlighted the integrity of the three witnesses who never denied their visionary experience when they saw the angel and the gold plates. Their persistent testimonies, even when they were out of the church, is something that critics of the story of the origin of the Book of Mormon have trouble coming to grips with.

I bought the DVD last week and we watched this as a family on Monday. My family and I were completely confused for most of the movie. It's a jumbled mess. There are confusing flashbacks and then mind-scratching jumps forward that aren't explained well at all. Also, from what I've read about the Witnesses and what was portrayed in this movie do not correlate at all. Students of Mormon history will be disappointed that the movie didn't accurately portray the events. People that don't know Mormon history very well will not understand or be able to follow along very well. Hopefully there will be a sequel that will do a better job.

This sets Mormon film making back about 20 years. There are inaccuracies all over the place. Joseph uses the golden plates as weapon to repeatedly hit his attackers over the head until he renders them unconscious. Lot's of gun violence and mobs screaming and yelling (but no explanation why), The film jumps forward and then backward and then forward so many times you'll think you are on the Pirate Ship ride at Lagoon. I was very disappointed at the portrayal of this important era of mormon history. This movie was badly acted, badly written and badly directed. I don't think I've seen a worse film since Madea Goes To Prison.

I really enjoyed this film.

First, it was not cheesy like many can be in this genre.

Second, the acting, cinematography, music, editing, sets, costumes, etc. Were all very well done and professional. This was a very well-built film.

Third, the story jumped around a lot chronologically. While that can make for a more interesting film - and people already familiar with the origins of the Church probably followed the story just fine - those who are less familiar with the founding of the Church will probably be confused at times.

For example, why is Joseph Smith falling? Oh, never mind; it was just a dream. Wait, he's dead? Was that from the fall or something else?

The scene only makes sense if you already know the story.

But perhaps my favorite thing about the film is that it didn't shy away from the controversial parts of Church history. Rather than gloss over them or skip them altogether, the film showed how those events impacted the decisions of early Church members and leaders.

The film gives color to the black and white understanding many of us think we have of these people.

As a result, I have so much more appreciation and respect for David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery.

If you are a Latter-day Saint, this is a must-see movie.

I'm looking forward to owning it when it comes out on disc.

The movie was very well done, with great acting, videography, and music. And it was historically accurate. I also appreciated how it adeptly handled sometimes difficult periods in the history of the witnesses.

Although I appreciated the flashback approach, I can see how that would be a bit confusing for those who are not familiar with the history. So it may be helpful for someone to briefly familiarize themselves with the basic story of the three witnesses before watching the movie.

But all in all, the movie was very inspiring.

This is a great movie that is not super long but yet tells an accurate story on historical events. As a Christian I appreciate the effort put into early American Religious history, no matter the type.

It was good to see that the movie did not just gloss over the negative events of that day. And did not hide the fact that the witnesses all had issues with Joseph Smith and left the church.

Many films have been made about the early days of the Mormon Church. This is the first to treat the founding and organization of the Church from the perspective of the three men who claimed to have witnessed the metal plates from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. The story is complicated even though the message is simple. The film helps us to understand these these men as real people who managed to hold true to their principles even when they felt personally betrayed by church members and leaders. Some of the most controversial aspects of early Church history are intertwined with the lives of these men. Parts of the film may be difficult to understand by those who are not familiar with Joseph Smith and the early days of the Church. Nonetheless, the message of integrity and holding true to principle even in the most difficult circumstances rings true. The film is an important addition to the growing body of literature that is helping enrich our understanding of this unique and important piece of American religious history. It is worth a repeat viewing.

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

The film focuses on real people as they live through extra-ordinary events, The history aspect is more a backdrop in the lives and emotions of the characters. Too often, Church History genre of films are overshadowed by speculation, conspiracy, or are too focused on depicting key points in their portrayal of historical figures, actions, events and their context. Refreshingly, this film did not go there, leaving the audience to be entertained rather than schooled. This movie is about people, not a Prophet, nor a Church, nor a book (though these 3 things play a crucial role and are portrayed with painstaking historical accuracy in my opinion.) But as such, the film may leave unfamiliar movie-goers with lots of questions about the Prophet, the Church, and the Book of Mormon. For example, my wife asked whether the early Church didn't baptize woman.

We took the whole family to see this. Very professionally done. Highly recommend this movie. Very historically accurate.

I enjoyed this film and find it to be appropriate for both those that belief the testimonies of these witnesses and those that don't. The story attempts to recreate a complicated story that aligns with the historical record as best as we can tell. Did these witnesses ever actually see angels? Nobody can know for certain, but this film helped to understand their full stories from beginning to end based on their own words.

An inspiring but realistic portrayal of Joseph Smith and the three primary witnesses of the gold plates and the Book of Mormon translation process. The movie does not pull any punches when it comes to the conflicts, controversies and imperfections of the early leaders of the church. The story flashes back and forth a bit too much which may be confusing to those unfamiliar with Church history. Overall, the movie does an excellent job of portraying a fascinating slice of American history that more Americans should know about.

I have seen this movie 2 times now. The film is amazing and gives a unique side of the witnesses point of view and shares so much fact. The director is an incredible man and is extremely talented. If you haven't seen it you should go now!

This was an incredible movie. Very well done and true to life. Highly recommend.