Trek to Utah

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Movie
German title Trek to Utah
Original title Brigham Young
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1940
length 114 minutes
Rod
Director Henry Hathaway
script Lamar Totti
production Darryl F. Zanuck ,
Kenneth Macgowan
music Alfred Newman
camera Arthur C. Miller
cut Robert Bischoff
occupation

Treck nach Utah (Original title: Brigham Young ) is an American biography by Henry Hathaway about Brigham Young , who led the Mormon community to Utah and later became governor there. The film, whose script is based on a story by Louis Bromfield , was shot in 1940. The premiere of the film took place on August 23, 1940 in Salt Lake City , the general theatrical release in the USA did not take place until September 27, 1940. In Germany the film did not appear in theaters. It was first shown on German television on February 19, 1977.

action

In the 1840s, Mormons suffered hostility and persecution. Several of its members were ambushed and some even killed. The founder of the Mormon movement, Joseph Smith , calls on his supporters in Illinois to armed resistance. He is arrested for sedition and found guilty. But before he is convicted, he is murdered.

He is succeeded as Mormon leader by Brigham Young , who rejects the violence and wants to continue his supporters from Illinois after the army is no longer able to protect them. Young's decision comes up against resistance from Angus Duncan, who wants to stay. However, the ward meeting decides to follow Young.

The Mormon trek moves to Iowa and west across the Great Plains . The Kent family takes in young Zina Webb after the family man was killed in a Mormon attack. On the way west, the news of the gold discovery in California reached the travelers. When Young falls ill, Duncan usurps the leadership and turns the trek in the direction of California. The trek reaches the mountains of Utah . Young awakes from his unconsciousness just as the Great Salt Lake is reached. Young thinks this is the sign to settle here.

The following winter is hard. Supplies are running out, some women and children perish. In the spring, the situation gets worse when locusts attack the wheat fields. Zina also gets sick from hunger. Jonathan Kent, who has asked for her hand, is shocked by the sight of Zina's pitiful sight. Young also begins to doubt, but just as he is about to resign from his leadership, a flock of seagulls arrives to destroy the locusts. The Mormons are saved.

background

The 20th Century Fox production was filmed in three states. The main part of the film was shot in California , including Big Bear Lake , the Alabama Hills and Mount Whitney . The trek scenes were created in Utah , near the town of Kanab . The locust plague was filmed in Elko , Nevada .

Hank Worden and Charles Middleton, known from the film series Flash Gordon, have small guest appearances . Jean Rogers also starred in these series. The only Mormon actress was Moroni Olsen. Dean Jagger joined the ward 32 years later.

Thomas Little and William S. Darling were responsible for the production design, and Roger Heman Sr. for the sound . Fred Sersen was responsible for the special effects . The later chief cinematographer Joseph LaShelle worked here as a camera operator.

Reviews

The lexicon of the international film for the film: "The technically solid, in parts impressively staged film traces the history in a melodramatic way, whereby it focuses on the fate of a family, of which only the son reaches the destination of the trek." Variety magazine praised the blend of factual aspects with a well-thought-out story that resulted in an epic adaptation of early American history. Outstanding is the "human and sympathetic" portrayal of the Mormon leader, and Mary Astor with "one of her best performances".

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Trek to Utah. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed May 31, 2019 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  2. See Brigham Young . In: Variety , 1940.