The Work and the Glory is based on series of books (9 in all) that mixes historical figures with fictional characters in order to tell the story of the Mormon experience from Joseph Smith's revelations to the pioneers trek to the Salt Lake Valley. This Film limits itself to the events in the first volume of the series, though it's been reported that plans are underway to turn the next three volumes into movies as well. This is just fine by the Boneman, because I adore these books (and though the film version of Work and the Glory was niether a critical or financial success) it's a kick to see these characters - who have existed in my imagination - fleshed out on the big screen.

Quite obviously this film is going to find a much more sympathetic audience among members of the faith, and though I'm more than a tad biased, I felt like the filmmakers did a reasonably serviceable job bringing this story to life. True everything is somewhat romanticized (all of the actors are easy on the eyes including Joseph Smith played by (Jonathan Scarfe) a good looking cuss - particularly when compared to church archive photos. It's a time honored joke among the Mormons that Joseph Smith died in 1844 and has been getting better looking ever since.

The story centers around the fictitious Steed family, a close knit bunch who move to up-state Palmyra New York after purchasing a tract of farm land. In need of manpower to help clear the land, they take the advice of a neighboring farmer Martin Harris (remember Edward Albert) and hire on a pair of brothers who unbeknownst to them have a strange reputation around the area. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum (Ryan Wood) prove to be tireless help and soon ingratiate themselves with the Steeds - but trouble soon finds it's way into their bucolic paradise.

Ben (Sam Hennings - a close cross between Tim Robbins and William Hurt) is the stolid Patriarch of the Steeds - a fair but stubborn man who governs his lively brood with steadfast discipline. Older sons Joshua (Eric Johnson) and Nathan (Alexander Carroll) whom also look like they wandered off the set of Dawson's Creek, are soon at odds over the influence of Joseph Smith in their family. The local rumor that the brother Joseph claims to have been visited by angels whom told him of the whereabouts of ancient golden plates that contain the true word of God, soon divides the family. Nathan entreats Joseph to tell him of his encounter with heavenly visitors, and becomes intrigued by the mans humble sincerity.

Joshua is right away cast into the black sheep's roll, and soon falls in with the local river riff raff (the Murdocks - played by much less attractive actors), who are intent upon following Joseph's every move so that they might claim the gold for themselves. Nathan and Joshua also find themselves at odds over the affections of Palmyra's resident hottie, Lydia McBride (played by Tiffany Dupont) who is the daughter of the towns Mercantile owner who harbors a deep distrust of the Smith boys. He similarly regards the Steed boys as lowly share-croppers well below the station of his daughter.

For her part Lydia is right away smitten by Joshua with his good-looks and feathered blond hair, but grows increasingly disenchanted after he is banished from the family home and moves into a stable down on the docks, drinking and smoking with his new buddies the Murdocks. Quite innocently Nathan is taken by the charms of his brother's girl, while visiting the family farm to seek out Joshua to invite him home to his mother's birthday dinner. The two share a stroll through a blossomed orchard and Lydia begins to see the inner-beauty of brother Nathan.

To be honest the film never really generates any real sense of conflict and the skirmish that ensues when Joseph is lead to the plates and barely escapes with his life from the clutches of Joshua and the Murdocks is certainly not conveyed with the same kind of suspense that was palpable in the book. The character development is heavy-handed and abrupt, but in the filmmakers defense, Lund had nine 700 page books to hone these characters, while director Russ Holt only has 108 minutes. At it's core the film is a very subdued and old-fashioned love story sprinkled with bits of history and religious conflict. The Work and the Glory certainly comes off as an episode rather than a film that stands on it's own - and what troubles me the most is that these characters are not drawn well enough to allow them to fully convey the horrific hardships and profound soul-searching that lays ahead of them.

The film takes us to and beyond the publication of the Book of Mormon as well as the formation of the Mormon church. And predictably, one of the films chief conflicts arises over Mrs. Steed, Nathan and their younger children's wish to be baptized into Joseph Smith's church against the will of father Ben who regards Smith and his book as devil's play. There are a few genuinely touching moments as Ben is forced to face his hypocrisy and relents in the end. Again the problem with all this is that much of this part of the film is so rushed and pat, that it's not hard to understand why the Work and the Glory did not fare well with the critics. Even more surprising is how poorly the box office numbers were for the film. With such a built in audience, both of Church members and fans of the books, the project is still reportedly in the red, despite it's modest 8 million dollar budget. As I mentioned above however, Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller (who bankrolled the first film) has already committed to finance the next three installments of the book.

Overall the film is to be admired for it's good production values and serviceable acting - I also admired the fact that the film avoids being preachy and the religious historical aspect of the story is certainly played down. The pivotal scene where Joseph describes the events that lead up to his visitation by God and Christ was handled about as well as one could expect. The film is gentle and easy to digest and though the ending was certainly dissatisfying it is obviously geared to lead us into the future sequels.