Product Details

• Actors: Kirby Heyborne, KC Clyde
• Directors: Scott Anderson
• Format: Widescreen, NTSC
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Halestone Distribution
• DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00068VNHU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,832 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Best Two Years tells the story of four missionaries who share an apartment in Amsterdam, Holland. Elder Rogers (KC Clyde) has only a couple of months to go on his mission, but his testimony and zeal for missionary work has suffered from hardships he experienced in letters from home. He is now only serving out his time with as little effort as possible when he is given a "greenie" from Oklahoma as a junior companion. Elder Calhoun (Kirby Heyborne) has the enthusiasm, innocence and naiveté of a new missionary, and the relationship between the two creates some very funny moments. These two elders share a typical missionary apartment with Elders van Pelt (Cameron Hopkin) and Johnson (David Nibley). Elder van Pelt fancies himself a rather handsome ladies man who is keeping an ongoing correspondence with three "girlfriends" back home. He is also very ambitious, and sees himself as quickly moving up the ranks of missionary leadership. Elder Johnson is Elder van Pelt's senior companion, and has a more "seasoned" view of being a missionary. He is looking forward to returning home and marrying his girlfriend, with whom he keeps an active correspondence going. Both elders have certain habits that tend to wear on the other.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Every moment counts., October 19, 2004

By 

A. Gyurisin "good friend, damn fool" (Wet, Wild, Wonderful Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Best Two Years (DVD)

Let me be the first to say that I am not a Mormon, but I found this film entertaining and informative. While The Best Two Years followed the classic Hollywood structure, it did it in such a way that built solid characters, helped progress the plot, and brought Mormonism into the spotlight without being cheap or abrupt. By this I mean this was a very solid movie. I wasn't expecting this when I first began my Mormon adventure through Holland, but by the final credits rolled I was impressed. I was educated more about the structure of the Mormon Mission in this film than any book could have taught me. I witnessed a true building of beliefs and the effects that religion has on those that are willing to accept it. I witnessed people being people and living their dreams. It was amazing, and this film only pushed me into seeing more about the Mormon faith in film.

I would like to comment first that I never realized the "business" of being a Mormon and doing one of these missions. From what I gathered from this film, they document everything and constantly need to report into a higher authority (outside of God) on how well they are progressing. I realize that there is some level of accountability that needs to be in place for those paying for these men to live in Holland, but I never realized it was similar to a business that you and I shop in daily. There are goals, rewards, and a never-ending struggle to completely satisfy everyone that you come in contact with. This was surprising for me to witness, but also helpful with setting the stage as to the strengths of our characters.

Outside of this "business" aspect, this was an amazing tale of forgiveness and dedication. I stated before that this was a solid film and a good portion of this is due in part to the reality of the characters. Each of these different men went (or are going through) situations that are not uncommon in our lives. We have all experienced the loss of a loved one to another person, we all have felt dismayed and confused about the path of life, and we have all had to deal with that new person that eventually becomes that friend you never want to let go. Add to this mix an overwhelming feeling of being in a completely different (yet beautiful) country and you have a majority of the emotions, themes, and elements used in this film. While the overall story deals around a Mormon religion, it isn't strange to begin feeling a sense of excitement for your own religion, whatever it may be. This isn't an in your face film that makes you think about becoming Mormon, but instead an opportunity (using Mormon as its foundation) for you, the viewer, to explore your options with God and your religion. If you see it as a Mormon film, and only a Mormon film, you will never see the truth behind this film. This is a film about people and the lives that we lead.

Not only did we have amazing characters and some very powerful themes, but also added to this enormous soup bowl of goodness is some of the most beautiful scenery that I have ever seen. I had never considered visiting Holland before until after I watched this film. Director Scott S. Anderson does a superb job of taking us deep into Holland and showing us the beauty that surrounds it. It only accentuates the beauty of the story that we witness in this film. He also has perfect comic timing for a director. His guidance for these characters was directly on target. I never once felt that I was watching a made-for-TV movie, but instead a film that is drenched in personal emotion. You could tell that Anderson believed in not only the film, but also his religion and experiences. This is a semi-true story based around the life that Anderson led while away on one of these missions. So, he ensures that there is not any absurd stories or actions that distract us from the main focus.

Overall, I must say I was genuinely impressed. I was not expecting anything from this film when I first begin it, but by the end I kind of wanted to watch it again. To fully enjoy this film you must realize that it is a Mormon film and if you do not perceive it as Mormon propaganda then it will impress you two. It is engulfed in the world of humans and the emotions that we face on a daily basis. It also gives us the perfect opportunity to see how one person (Kyle Harrison) can change the course of several.

Grade: **** out of *****

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best LDS film so far, January 9, 2005

By 

Christian Buckley (Washington State, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Best Two Years (DVD)

I had heard from a few folks that this was the best so far of the LDS films put out over the last few years -- and they were right. I finally watched the film, and I have nothing but praise for it. Well done.

Where 'God's Army' takes all of the most extreme views of LDS Missionary life, 'The Best Two Years' is very down to earth. It is both well-written and well-acted. Kirby Heyborne, who was hilarious in 'RM' and his small role in 'Singles Ward', puts in a tremendous performance as a mid-western Elder who doesn't understand the native Dutch language, but has a good strong testimony. His companion, the bitter Elder Rogers, is a great performance by KC Clyde.

The cover says its a comedy - and there are definitely some funny parts to it - but its unmistakenly a drama about Elder Rogers' search for the reasons he went on his mission.

I can't say enough good things about this movie. I have often heralded 'Other Side of Heaven' as the best Mormon flick, but that title now goes to 'The Best Two Years'. Congrats

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars made me reverse-trunky, January 1, 2005

By 

C. Leigh "chadbag" (UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Best Two Years (DVD)

I must say up-front: I am LDS and was a missionary in Germany in the late mid-80s. Though I live in Utah now, I did not grow up here -- I am from New England.

My wife was given this DVD for Christmas. I have seen it twice and each time was greatly moved to tears. Anyone who has been an LDS missionary can relate to the situations the people find themselves in, but what moved me was the sincerity of the American optician who gets caught up with the missionaries and his "conversion" and his recognizing the feelings he found inside himself, and, the "conversion" of Elder Rogers, who realizes what it was really all about.

The movies was well made, was funny, and I found it the best of the Halestorm LDS themed movies yet. Ones that anyone, LDS or not, could relate to and enjoy. The SIngles Ward was hilarious, and one I could greatly relate to. The Best Two Years was funny, but also much more touching and meaningful.