Fictionalized account of some of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is typical of "historical" films of the 1940s. Many of the Westerns made during this decade are as laughable as some of the nonfactual anti-Mormon rants posted here pretending to be reviews of "Brigham Young." As a Western history buff, I am dismayed at the historical inaccuracies of this film, but I am impressed by the effort to manage all of the people, wagons, and animals sloshing through mud and rivers. The sets and special effects are commendable. Too bad Scott Forbes of television's "The Adventures of Jim Bowie" was not old enough to portray Joseph Smith, for he resembles him more than any other actor I've seen.

The early years of the Mormon faith, from oppression in Illinois and the murder of Joseph Smith (Vincent Price), to the first fateful year at the great Salt Lake, is seen through the eyes of Brigham Young (Dean Jagger), young Mormon follower Tyrone Power, and non-Mormon Linda Darnell, who's father was murdered trying to protect Power's farm.Jagger is appropriately stoic and dignified, while Price gives an early atypical performance, without a drop of he hamminess that his fans love him for. Fellow future horror star John Carradine is quite memorable as a tough, long-haired mountain man, who was interesting enough to have warranted his own movie.The movie does a good job of portraying the stark terror of Smith and his followers' persecution. That part is so potent that their subsequent hardships seem almost tame in comparison. Still, it's good, uplifting entertainment, even for those largely unfamiliar with the LDS religion.While I don't know what characters were real or imagined, that of top-billed Power and Linda Darnell, as pleasant as they are, seem a bit contrived for marquee purposes, as does "villain" Brian Donlevy.

I enjoyed watching Brigham Young and found it to be a positive and largely true portrayal of the LDS faith. I think that a remake of this epic journey across the plains would be beneficial, since many people today are not familiar with the trials and persecutions faced by the early Mormon church. It is an incredible story of a strong and devoted people.As a member of the church, the single most disturbing aspect of the film (most of the historical inaccuracies did not bother me much) was the portrayal of Brigham Young as one that had "knowingly deceived" church members into believing he had been called to be Joseph's successor as the prophet. Although I understand the dramatic reasons for this plot line, it creates the impression that his doubts in this regard are historical fact, when in reality, both Brigham and the bulk of the church members understood and believed firmly that he had been called to lead the church. Brigham did not knowingly deceive the saints; rather he led them confidently by inspiration. The point is important for Mormons because on it hinges an important aspect of our faith: that God truly speaks to prophets today, and that Brigham Young, like Joseph Smith, was an inspired prophet of God.Whether or not you believe this statement or not, just know that the film does not accurately portray what Brigham himself believed.

I find Alan Jacobs review very accurate concerning the movie;however I had the opportunity to rent the DVD from blockbuster with a commentary from BYU's Curator, Motion Picture Archives James D'Arc. The then LDS Prophet Heber J. Grant approved of the movie understanding the deviations from historic content for dramatic expression and telescoping events. For example the movie showed Joseph Smith on trial. despite Brigham Young's great oratory in defense of Joseph Smith he was convicted anyway. Then Joseph was killed. Historically Joseph Smith was never convicted of anything. Brigham Young was in Boston when Joseph Smith was arrested for this particular trial. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum where both killed before the trial took place.