Since this movie might be considered embarrassing or inflammatory by some, (I won't say controversial, since their is no controversy about it occurring) it will most likely be rated down by people with an idealogical agenda, rather than reviewing it on its own merits. So don't trust the global rating, you should read reviews.
**possible spoiler alert if you're not already familiar with this historical event" This is really a great story if a bit of a cliché (you'll see!). As previous posters pointed out the production quality could have been a bit better, and the cinematography is just fair. After, seeing some well shot Westerns this falls a bit short. However, the younger main cast members really do have great chemistry together, particularly the brothers. I was interested the whole movie about the different character's motivations, actions, and their ultimate outcomes. This movie really put some human faces to a real event that deserves it's own movie moment. Previous reviewers state that the film paints the head honchos involved in the planning of and carrying out of the massacre a little harsh. Well, they planned and carried out a massacre! What do you want?! Moreover, almost every character involved in the massacre voiced regret about it. Unfortunately, as usual the Indians seem to get a raw deal in their portrayal, but maybe another movie can be made from their point of view, and it might be a little more interesting since they are kind of in the middle of things. Other than that, I thought the film was fair with its depictions, and just considering the basic overall facts was actually pretty accurate. Some might say it portrayed the innocent victims as too "nice", but if you went the way of making them belligerent people would complain about making the victims seem like they deserved to get murdered. Again, the only facts in dispute are how far up the chain of command foreknowledge went, so the movie does a good job at filling in the tiny gaps to lend some drama. There was a good attempt at showing that the rank and file Mormons just wanted to do right by their religion and protect their lands from perceived invaders, and it was demonstrated what the current climate was at the time of the event. This movie really is around a weak 6.5, but instead of rounding down I will round up to a 7 since I can't do halves, and for bringing an another event of the often bloody American West to the public space that attempts to show the humanity on both sides in an awful situation. Enoyable characters, enjoyable story, enjoyable movie!
**possible spoiler alert if you're not already familiar with this historical event" This is really a great story if a bit of a cliché (you'll see!). As previous posters pointed out the production quality could have been a bit better, and the cinematography is just fair. After, seeing some well shot Westerns this falls a bit short. However, the younger main cast members really do have great chemistry together, particularly the brothers. I was interested the whole movie about the different character's motivations, actions, and their ultimate outcomes. This movie really put some human faces to a real event that deserves it's own movie moment. Previous reviewers state that the film paints the head honchos involved in the planning of and carrying out of the massacre a little harsh. Well, they planned and carried out a massacre! What do you want?! Moreover, almost every character involved in the massacre voiced regret about it. Unfortunately, as usual the Indians seem to get a raw deal in their portrayal, but maybe another movie can be made from their point of view, and it might be a little more interesting since they are kind of in the middle of things. Other than that, I thought the film was fair with its depictions, and just considering the basic overall facts was actually pretty accurate. Some might say it portrayed the innocent victims as too "nice", but if you went the way of making them belligerent people would complain about making the victims seem like they deserved to get murdered. Again, the only facts in dispute are how far up the chain of command foreknowledge went, so the movie does a good job at filling in the tiny gaps to lend some drama. There was a good attempt at showing that the rank and file Mormons just wanted to do right by their religion and protect their lands from perceived invaders, and it was demonstrated what the current climate was at the time of the event. This movie really is around a weak 6.5, but instead of rounding down I will round up to a 7 since I can't do halves, and for bringing an another event of the often bloody American West to the public space that attempts to show the humanity on both sides in an awful situation. Enoyable characters, enjoyable story, enjoyable movie!