MPAA Rating: for violence

Moral Rating:

_____

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Moviemaking Quality:

_____

Primary Audience:

Adults

Genre:

Western, Romance, Drama, History

Length:

1 hr. 50 min.

Year of Release:

2007

USA Release:

August 24, 2007

Relevant Issues

What are the differences between Mormonism and Christianity? Answer
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—is it simply another Christian denomination? Are there important differences?

Should a follower of Jesus Christ pray about The Book of Mormon to see if it is true? Answer
Mormons have often asked Christians to read the Book of Mormon and then praying to see whether it is true or not. Is prayer a proper test for truth?

Is there any archaeological evidence for the claims made in The Book of Mormon regarding Jesus’ visit to the Americas? Answer

Information for followers of Christ about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Producer’s Synopsis: “September Dawn is a fictional Romeo and Juliet relationship love story set against the background of the real-life massacre of 120 men, women and children traveling through Utah in the nineteenth century.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre, as it is known, occurred on September 11, 1857, and was the first known act of religious terrorism on U.S. soil. A group of Mormons, many disguised as Paiute Indians, slaughtered all but 17 small children on a wagon train on its way to California. One man, the adopted son of Mormon leader Brigham Young, was eventually executed for the crime—20 years after the event. The film is deemed controversial because it presents a point of view held strongly by hundreds of direct descendants of the massacre: that the iconic Brigham Young had complicity in the massacre, a view denied by the Mormon Church, even today.

On September 11, 1857 in an unspoiled valley of the Utah Territory-and in the name of God-120 men, women and children were savagely murdered.

Who ordered the massacre, and why, has been hidden in a cloak of secrecy and conspiracy. And the reputation of one of the nation's mightiest religious figures has been preserved and protected.

Until now.

Based on actual historical events, September Dawn is a feature length drama that depicts the tragic encounter between a party of innocent settlers and a fanatic Mormon militia. The religious terrorism depicted in the film happened 150 years ago and resonates in many ways with acts of mindless violence occurring across the world today.”

Positive - You always wonder how authentic the information, such as on the massacre, is, and my heart was heavy upon leaving the theatre. Sensless deaths. So sad. And as always, one passes the blame to the other. No matter who was behind it, it appears no one stopped it.
My Ratings: Good / 4.5
—Jacki Lamphire, age 63

Positive - We found this film to parallel what is happening in the world today with radical Islam. When church leaders are all powerful and control every aspect of your life, this is what happens. A very well made movie, lots of action with a love story thrown in. John Voight is excellent. It's nice to be able to go to a movie that does not use the Lord's name in vain, we never attend a movie that does. If we misjudge and do go to one that does, we leave as soon as it happens. Thank you Hollywood. Highly recommended.
My Ratings: Offensive / 4
—Ken Childers, age 54

Positive - As past director of the National Day of Prayer for the state of Utah, I feel that a great film on what Mormon's believe is found in …September Dawn, a major motion picture covered by Bill O Reilly. The film tells the story of the massacre of 120 Christian men, women and children by the Mormon Church (Even the Salt Lake Tribune a few years ago called the LDS church to acknowledge Brigham Young role in this). It is a powerful movie and some additonal film footage has the descendants of the Christians killed speaking about the incident in a historical context.
—Randy H. Skinner