Product Details

• Actors: Sam Hennings, Brenda Strong, Jonathan Scarfe, Eric Johnson, Alexander Carroll
• Directors: Russ Holt
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Excel Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: May 3, 2005
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007WQHQ2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,956 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Based on the best selling series by Gerald N. Lund The Work and the Glory blends high-powered fiction with true events from the life of Joseph Smith. Experience the tragedies and triumphs of the Steed family amid the raging controversy that surrounds the teachings of one of the most influential religious leaders in American history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pillar of Light - A UK Review, May 14, 2005

By 

S. Hodkin "Steve Hodkin" (Manchester UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Work and the Glory (DVD)

We received the DVD this morning, set up our multi-regional player and sat down to watch a great story with some trepidation.

How could a movie match the quality of the book. It didn't. What we watched was a brilliant translation to the screen of a breath taking story told by a writer who should be far better known than he is.

The sets were good, the photography truly beautiful. The capturing of sunsets and a stormy night for dramatic tension were superbly captured.

Both of our children, aged ten and fourteen, sat through the entire movie as captivated as ourselves, and they havent read the book.

We cannot wait for the next installment.

Steve & Jill Hodkin.
Manchester UK

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Are They All Wrong Together?", March 9, 2008

By 

Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Work and the Glory (DVD)

I watched `The Work and the Glory' several years ago before I started writing reviews and I found it interesting, but somehow disconcerting. Only recently did I stop long enough to rethink my befuddled feelings about this film and came to the conclusion that it was the depiction of Joseph Smith that bothered me. He was too perfect, too angelic to be an honest portrayal of the man. However as I followed that line of thinking further I realized that isn't that what we do with cinematic depictions of Jesus, or any other spiritual teacher or iconic figure (i.e. Gandhi) portrayed on the silver screen? Why should my feelings towards Joseph Smith be any different? Because he was a Mormon that's why!

That was a rather illuminating discovery on my part for I consider myself to be quite open-minded and tolerate in matters of faith and religion. Hence, I decided to watch the film again from a more aware, unbiased vantage point before writing my review. With the second viewing now complete I must say oh what a difference a new perspective makes.

The '04 film `The Work and the Glory' succeeds on every level; complete with gorgeous cinematography, rich, nostalgic soundtrack, well-conceived and scripted storyline with a cast of unknown, but wonderfully talented actors and actresses. The central cast consisting of Eric Johnson, Alexander Carroll and Tiffany Dupont deliver excellent performances that carry the romantic elements of the film from beginning to end. However the heart and soul of the film is the personage of Joseph Smith and the beginning of the Mormon Church. Obviously if he fails to stike a positive cord with the audience the rest of the story crumbles. Fortunately, Jonathan Scarfe is brilliant as the young Joseph; attractive, intelligent, considerate, masculine and ruthlessly unwavering in his personal convictions and belief in his divine vision and mission.

Bottom line, it's a great film! There I said it, I feel better now.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Work and the Glory Movie DVD, May 8, 2005

By 

Pamela T. "Pamela" (Utica, KS, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Work and the Glory (DVD)

This is an excellent movie! The cinematography is very artistic, and a lot of effort was taken to be true the times. The movie also stays very close to the book, with only a few minor exceptions. While the movie obviously features certain events from the early history of the LDS Church, those of other faiths should be able to watch it without feeling like they are being proselyted. The spiritual events are treated with a reverent brevity. The movies moral of religious tolerance should appeal to those of many faiths.

The DVD special features include the original theatrical trailer for the movie and a commentary voiced by the Director and the Director of Photography.

Overall, I felt that the movie was very well done, with some amazing pieces of acting portraying some very emotional scenes. Of course, given the source, there is no foul language (that I could find) and no innapropriate scenes (unless you count a handful of short kissing scenes).