Where are the Great Mormon Movies?
Part II—There's a Movement in the Force
by Kieth Merrill

If you missed Part I you may want to jump back into the archive and dredge it up. My musings were not profound, but we are struggling to reconcile reality with the prophetic prompting of Spencer W. Kimball. They are there in full. They are here in short:

"Our writers, our moving picture specialists, with the inspiration of heaven, should tomorrow be able to produce a masterpiece that would live forever. Such masterpieces should run for months in every movie center, cover every part of the globe in the tongue of the people." [From Ensign Article quoting address given to BYU faculty and staff 1967-68)

My question touched an unexpected nerve from you, our readers.. It unleashed a wave of feelings. Your response has been overwhelming. You did not send me e-mails you wrote essays.

It is abundantly evident you too have asked, "Where are the great Mormon movies?"

At the end of last week's ruminations, I promised to share the comments of Mormon moviemakers to whom I posed the question. I will do that, but you have changed my perspective.

Let me start at the end. Let me begin with the answer. It is simple and profound. It is unequivocal in the enthusiastic expressions and passionate expectations.

Already Here
The Great Mormon Movies are already here. They play every day in the mind's eye of the millions who read the book of Mormon. These epics unfold on the silver screen of your remarkable imagination as you study the struggles of our faithful forerunners and the restoration of the Gospel.

You seem to envision what President Kimball saw so clearly when he said. "For years I have been waiting for someone to do justice ... to the story of the Restoration, the reestablishment of the kingdom of God on earth, the struggles and frustrations; the apostasies and inner revolutions and counterrevolutions of those first decades, of the exodus; of the counteractions; of the transitions; of the persecution days; of the plural marriage and the underground; of the miracle man, Joseph Smith. [Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pg. 393]

These epic "films of the imagination" are playing now in the private theaters of your mind. Your response has made it clear to me you have seen the Great Mormon Movies in a kind of "spiritual creation" of your own design.

I was astounded by your vigorous suggestions. The depth of your thoughts impressed me. I was amazed by articulate and even technical suggestions of how we should proceed.

Some of you outlined specific scenes. Others promoted their favorite characters. Some rushed on about digital enhancements and special effects. Based on the boundless bags of cyber mail it is clear you see these movies in your mind. It is clear you want these films to get made. You do not agree on what to say or how to say it but 100% of you who responded want to see great feature length motion pictures based on stories from the Book of Mormon, the history of the Restoration or the Life of Jesus Christ.

You have created the Great Mormon Movies in your minds. It is now left to us who aspired to number ourselves among the "inspired hearts and talented fingers" foreseen by President Kimball to translate your dreams into reality. To draw on the inspiration of your spiritual creation and make these epic film masterpieces a temporal reality.

If those of you who took time to write-your long, long essays-are in any way a valid statistical "sampling", I can only assume that 11,000,000 Latter Day Saints are waiting for us to fulfill the prophecies and promises of President Kimball.

It is Possible
Some worry it is not possible. I assure you that it is. Based on the many responses I have received from the LDS film making community I feel confident that the great Mormon movies are being imagined and written and planned. While you watch the great Mormon movies as spiritual creation in your mind, Latter Day Saint men and women in the motion picture industry are working to put these films on the temporal theater screens of earth. As one LDS producer, from Los Angeles said, "they're in development".

He is right. The "inspired heart and talented fingers" are all around us. They are working, writing, thinking, praying and producing. As one LDS filmmaker put it, "they may be novices, but they will continue to master their craft and find ways to get the gospel vision to the world. The only practical solution to the question is to stop asking questions and start making great films. "

I agree. It is time. So how do we get from here to there? ,Where-and WHEN-is the day of the great Mormon Movies? That is the question I asked of my Mormon moviemaking colleagues in a multi-question questionnaire.

The questions were forthright. The answers were candid with the promise of anonymity. In them you will share the dream. You will understand the struggle. You will catch a glimpse of the challenges before us.

You may detect a glimmer of pessimism. It is a frustration born of the passion "to do" and the reality of "getting done"

The determined energy of the millions of you who can already see these movies in your mind has defeated every doubt in me. I believe the enthusiasm and energy of your positive expectations will brighten hope even among those who are discouraged.

I suspect it might brighten those among us who desire to press forward but allow doubts and discouragement to hold them back. The answers that follow are verbatim quotes from those who bothered to respond.

Q & A with LDS Film Makers
Here are the questions posed to LDS film makers and a sampling of their responses.

(Editors' Note: Each paragraph represents a separate comment.)

Q - Can the Great Mormon Movies ever be made? Is the day foretold by President Kimball within our grasp?

-I think it is getting closer. I think we have all the component parts ' the writers, cinematographers, musicians for musical scores, producers, and directors. Even money. What has delayed us, I think, is that we are so much more comfortable talking to each other in the Church with references that we all understand. To reach outside the box is to navigate uncharted territory. How do we speak of what are viewed as intangibles ' faith, hope, revelation, angels 'and to a public that is skeptical of our very Christianity?

-I too have felt the prophetic mandate of President Kimball in regard to LDS artists ever since the first time I read his statement on the wall of Lex DeAzevedo's studio in the early 80's. I took it very personally and determined that I would participate in the fulfillment of that prophecy.

-Yes. I do believe that it is "within our grasp." Yes, films about the "Mormon" experience could be made but if they are to be as commercially successful as the Jewish ones, there would be lessons that should be learned.

-I think all LDS filmmakers out there are dying to get a chance to work on an epic LDS film... but until independent financiers get in line this is all a dream.

-Film, as I see it, is the largest tool the Lord has in his bag for mass missionary work. So yes, the time will come when independent films are made on these subjects and I hope to play a large part on them when they are.

-Funny that as Latter-day Saints we DO understand and bust our guts trying to be those instruments. Or do we? Do we bust our guts? I think we are all rather restrained or constrained - I think we expect to have it handed to us. I think we are deathly afraid of letting go and being passionate. I think we look too closely to "the church" for approval - or the establishment within the LDS community for approval. Or on the other hand, we don't believe that there can ever truly be a marriage of the spirit and the huge world market, and so we choose the world as if there has to be a choice of one or the other.

-Of course we have great stories -- they need to be just as subtly written and produced -- if distributed by a studio, they must fit into the requirements of any movie: good story, name actors, great marketing, and a target audience.

-If investors would open up their pockets and put their money where their spirits are I think the rest will fall into place.

-Although, the material is there in Mormon literature to make spectacular films, the pockets of members may not be willing to open up and fund such a project without some heavy hitting industry leaders in Hollywood behind it to prove that the money can be recouped. The day will come when the industry will make these films but I don't think Hollywood will ever have anything to do with it. Spencer Kimball foresaw a day when Mormon films would be made... I think there will have to be another group of film makers from someplace else... inside and outside of Hollywood's gates that feel a pull towards these kinds of projects.

-I believe the prophecy will be fulfilled by artists who are inspired to make their dreams come true by artists who have something to say and won't stop till they have said it the way they envision, artist who will do whatever it takes. Artists who say - I'm doing it. Period.

-I didn't know of President Kimball's prophecy, but I do believe this masterpiece is possible and that the filmmakers have the ability to make the film but the funding is not available nor has the script been written.

-It's all too easy; not to mention ineffectual; to stand on the sidelines and whine about how popular culture is going to the dogs. It's quite another thing to get off the sidelines and create an alternative culture. But that's exactly what I think we are tasked with doing. I think Heavenly Father wants us to create alternative films, alternative music, alternative television, alternative Internet, and even alternative comedy for the entire world. If the people in the great and spacious building are going to mock those of us clinging to the iron rod, who's to say we can't let go with one hand, point back at them, and have a good laugh ourselves?

-We view Our Story as our primary missionary tool and Hollywood looks first at marketing. Our story has heavy baggage because of its unmistakable tie to the Church and any story renders it a religious movie.

Q - What are your thoughts about an epic feature film based on stories from the Book of Mormon?

-What would be the purpose of the film, to teach the gospel or see an action adventure? Is it a combination? Can we make a Rated-G "Brave Heart" depicting the great Nephite battles and a single man courageous and dedicated to teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps we tell a story more like "Brave Heart," one man against a corrupt government, making it less "religious."

-Would it make a great story? Yes. Would it be graphic and violent? Yes. Would it be entertaining? Yes. Could the message and spirit of the book remain? That would depend on the filmmaker in part. However, I suspect that taking "that which is sacred" and putting it into a commercial setting would pose many challenges.

-As taught by Church leaders the Book of Mormon strength is to teach us of Christ and his Gospel not the battles, strategies and robbers, and anti-Christ. So here lies the problem, if we teach of Christ will it be interesting to a worldwide audience? Do we follow the brethren or our "Hollywood" hearts? Can we combine both?

-Quite frankly, what I think it boils down to is we all think way too small, and we are too attached to our own myopic view to allow the Lord to use us as we so desperately desire to be used. The Lord is not restrained - he is not limited, he is not clueless or without the needed resources, he has all the answers. We could tap into it if we would, but we don't. You cited examples of endeavors that seemed destined to be the answer, and they have not turned out to be.

-In my opinion, making the Book of Mormon into a viable commercial film is extremely problematic. This book of Holy Scripture is clearly one of the things that most starkly separates our church from all the rest, making it all but impossible to tell this story and, at the same time, "build on common ground."

-With the Book of Mormon as subject matter, the film would inevitably be forced to "break new ground" with the non-LDS audience and would most likely be viewed as either dismissible fantasy or outright propaganda.

Q - What are your thoughts about a commercial film based on Joseph Smith and the restoration?

Please Note: The term "film" refers to feature length commercial films. There have been many excellent films on these topics created by the Church. There have been assorted films on TV. The subject of this discussion is the global vision, "masterpieces" that will play in every movie center in the language of the people. There has been at least one outstanding PBS documentary, produced about the life and times of Joseph Smith. [An American Prophet, Lee Groberg/Heidi Swinton, 1999]

-The Joseph Smith story has infinitely more commercial potential than a Book of Mormon film in that there is much more common ground to be built upon. We are dealing with well-known events and individuals from recent American history, rather than obscure events and individuals from distant lands thousands of years ago. In my opinion, the only way to make this movie and have it carry to a non-LDS audience is to make it big, cast it with the most bankable, talented movie stars you can possibly attract. Make it any other way and no one but Church members will be interested, and we have already made dozens of good versions of the "for Mormons" Joseph Smith movie.

-I believe no one has made a film about Joseph Smith because there are so many aspects to his life that are not documentable that it becomes problematic to tell the story fairly or with any kind of dignity.

-I believe that sacred things come into play for which few if any are qualified to deal with and therefore it potentially becomes too big of an undertaking, if any kind of integrity is involved.

-What a film this would be, by anyone's standards, this kind of project about our prophet could be amazing. I am extremely confident that if the right script was found our Prophet would make this film.

-How do you tell this story without editorializing about its authenticity? The PBS shows last year told the story positively without it seeming religious so it can be done.

-Again the character has to be in viewed as heroic, a man against odds story, a sad ending but a possible memorable ending ala Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I feel a Joseph Smith story needs to first have appeal and then it can sell the spiritual side.

Q. Is it possible that these films can ever be made?

-So can we do it? Absolutely. The screen is an untapped resource that we have access to if we carefully craft a story that is rich in style, drama and depth. Frankly, if we don't tell our stories someone else will and then we are in the unenviable position of trying to reshape impressions that are false.

-I believe that the Lord wants this to happen but He wants it done right. When all of the people with the right tools are in place then the doors will be opened and these stories will be told. When Truman Angel was called to design the Salt Lake Temple, he went to Europe to study the masters. He had to get the right tools even though Brigham Young had already seen what the temple looked like.

-As the Church gains in size and prominence, a natural curiosity will propel the story of the LDS Church to bigger screens. I think there are some great stories out there, especially Church history stories that can be told and should be told.

-The Great Mormon Movie struggles under a basic conflict: the difference between history and story. History is sequence of events, a recitation of facts, their causes, effects and reality. Story, on the other hand, is plot, character and background; a symbolic representation of the human mind working through a problem.

-You mention Fiddler on the Roof which tells in an epic manner the plight of the Jews. Could we not do the same? I think it's possible and I don't think we have yet tried to accomplish it. Part of the problem is that we want to convert everyone at the same time that we want to tell our story. So we set out to accomplish both and do neither.

-Last I heard there were about 14 million Jewish people in the world, and 11 million Mormons. In my lifetime, I have seen dozens, maybe hundreds of commercial films and TV shows produced by Jewish filmmakers portraying Jewish characters and/or history and/or culture. During that same lifetime, I have seen only one commercial film about Mormons by Mormons. The truth is that there have probably been more films made by Jews about Mormons than we have made about ourselves.

-The masses are much more willing to watch and accept a film about Jews than about Mormons because no Jew has ever knocked on their door and tried to get them to join up. Because we proselyte and proselyte so well, there is a basic distrust instilled out there that makes the masses leery of the intentions of a Mormon film. To them, It's just propaganda.

-We certainly have the stories and I feel the talent. Let's take the next step.

-It would take someone with the financial resources, that was committed to doing the film without any church involvement...doing the film, as a film...as mainstream entertainment, name actor(s), distribution locked-up, etc. You are one of the few, maybe the only, Mormon director that could have a hope of doing this because you have the ability to get money...most directors, I think, just want to direct, they don't want to spend months/years gathering money.

-The films will be made when a group of LDS investors "risk all" on a large scale to fund projects for the LDS market. They will hopefully find a diversity of talented and ego-subdued filmmakers (almost impossible) to realize them, and create a stir in the larger market because they are outstanding from both a spiritual and creative viewpoint, and because they made a lot of mammon in the LDS market.

-What is required? Names, money, confidence, and perhaps patience. Maybe we are still a few years off. I also believe that it will require a sensitive collaboration with non-LDS film makers to make it work so that it maintains credibility and overcomes the "propaganda" bias that we LDS are so often accused of inputting.

-I don't think we can rest in the comfort of the sidelines any longer. It is becoming increasingly common for Mormonism to be bashed in the media of popular culture. I'm aware of three feature films in active development right now that are extremely unfavorable to the Church. The scriptures make it clear that trend will continue in these last days. If we don't follow the example of President Hinckley and take the offensive, we will spend all of our time and energy on the defensive.

-The money would have to come from the very, very wealthy of the church. There is a guy down the street from us; he and his family have given many millions to the church. Recently he bought a multi-million dollar home. They already have several multi-million dollar homes but felt they needed another one. There are people like this in the church who could forego one of their multiple multi-million dollar homes and put the money into a film.

-Yes, but we need scripts, Academy-award-winning stories that can flawlessly and dramatically show what every man wants, happiness, and relief from the storms of societies struggles and connect them to Gospel principles. They need to be entertaining, have conflict, show struggle and resolve, show weakness in man and the strength to overcome. Simply put we need stories that chronicle man's struggle and overcoming struggle by true principles that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, maybe even in a subtle way.

-Film is the most complex and potent art form in the world in that it incorporates the best of all other art forms: writing, acting, music, photography, graphic design, etc. It is also the most expensive art form in the world.

-If I want to write a great poem, it costs me ten cents to buy a pencil and about a buck-fifty to buy a pad of paper. I have everything I need (except, perhaps, the talent) to write a great poem. If I want to paint a great painting, it costs me a few bucks for the canvas and paint, maybe a hundred dollars for the easel. If I want to make a great movie, it costs me ten or twenty or a hundred million dollars. The fact that movies cost so much to make has allowed Satan to have undue influence in this, the world's most powerful medium. If a movie costs a lot to make, the producers darn well better have a good idea how they're going to earn their money back.

-Pandering to the lowest common denominator, of course, is exactly the opposite of what the gospel teaches: "That which doth not edify is not of God and is darkness." But for every "Chariots of Fire," Hollywood will churn out 500 "Basic Instincts," until and unless we show them there is a huge, hungry market out there, searching desperately for an alternative culture.

-I think Mormon movies require capital and confidence. Can you raise the money? I think so. What about the element of confidence? If a Kieth Merrill stepped up and said, "Let's make it happen," people would listen and the bold and believing would join the team.

-Bottom line: if the Lord wants films developed, they will be. But the people have to make themselves able, worthy and qualified. And still, the battle for the hearts and minds of mankind will rage on.

Q - Can the Church make these films?

-The Church faces a hard choice when selling to the world. The films such as Schindler's List, or Yentl delve into hard violent, romantic, sexually suggestive or implied, very tough situations. Can the Church produce a PG-13 or R rated film? My sense would be no. Hence, cinema in the Church is somewhat restricted unless the story is told well. I think the film The Testaments is effective because it reaches just short of a PG-13 or PG movie. Its appeal is wrenching, yet takes the viewer through some tough realistic scenes only to have a great true payoff. The viewer is taken through an emotional roller coaster. Good filmmaking.

-The Church views the stories of Joseph Smith and the scenes from the Book of Mormon as sacred subjects, perfectly suited to being "likened to ourselves for profit and learning", but not well suited for creative enhancement or interpretation on a wide distribution scale. Adding fictional elements to scriptural stories is discouraged, being seen as mingling doctrines of men with scripture. It is occasionally tolerated in the works for sale to the vast LDS audience, but is almost never generated from within the Church, endorsed by it, or supported by cooperation from the Brethren.

Q - Would LDS filmmakers work for scale or less on the right project?

-Yes most definitely.

-Number 1, ready and willing. I think most or all that we know who have worked on our films together would be willing. There has been a transition taking place with LDS film makers. It has been a long process and evolvement. Many of us have learned our real purpose of life. It is not to make films but to be good parents, spouses, church leaders, teachers, etc.

-I'm sure LDS filmmakers would work for scale, including myself. But it has to be real. It can't be a well intentioned, but rinky-dink project.

-Given a great, even a good Mormon script. I KNOW that crew would work for LESS than their scale. Not just their normal rate. I certainly would.

-I would and if the project was good yes, I think others would as well.

-For one, I look forward to the opportunity to work on these great films -- it is my goal to be in a position to be financially secure enough that when the time comes -- money will not be an issue.

-I think so. I would love to be involved because I find that in telling our story, we enrich the picture of yesterday and today. The LDS story is so much more than the American elements. That has yet to be touched.

-There are a number of good LDS guys who probably would if the right person could do the inspiring. They have to share a vision and take ownership in the idea. It becomes a labor of love and there are a number who would like to participate.

-There are a group of LDS filmmakers who would give their "right arm" to work on such films.

They are willing, they are desirous to work on films that tell "their story". I believe they are committed to do so and can make it happen.

-Every Latter-day Saint would give whatever time and talents they had to contribute to the great film about our culture, but most of these projects collapse under the weight of individual egos, or schemes to "get everyone for cheap so I can get rich and famous as a great Mormon filmmaker". When we learn to avoid those traps, perhaps the Lord will bless us with the DW Griffith and the Cecil B. Demilles, or build such from among us.

-I would not right now, perhaps someday. I think there are those that would. We'd need a name actor(s) and I don't know any big name actors that are LDS.

-I think LDS filmmakers and crew would be willing to work for scale on the right project so far as they believed in the project and didn't feel like they were being exploited.

End of comments from LDS filmmakers.

My sincere thanks to the many Mormon movie, writers, actors and artists who shared their candid perspective. As editor and translator of their thoughts I have gained much.

To you, the readers of Meridian, who have so changed my perspective by your overwhelming enthusiasm and encouragement to press forward with faith and courage, my heart-felt gratitude.

All of this has changed me. You are watching a "work in progress".

Of the hundreds of letters, essays and e-mails, one has touched me deeply. It comes from a stalwart man I've never met. His name is Robert D. Jaynes. He writes simply:

"Thank you for your news item in the Meridian. I'm sure that many Mormons have given you praise for the two films shown at the Joseph Smith Building. And I would also like to add my thanks for your work in making them. I'm 77 years old and would like to see some great Mormon Epic before I die. I would like to do anything within my power and capabilities to support such an effort."

I have printed and displayed Brother Jaynes' great dream in a conspicuous place. It will energize my already great sense of responsibility. It has renewed my commitment to do anything within my power and capabilities to get it done. Besides appreciating Brother Jaynes' sincere support, I think he is awesome to be flying in cyberspace at age 77. To you my unseen friend, Robert Jaynes, I pledge to do everything within my power and capabilities to enable your dream on this side of Heaven. I will make sure you have the best seat in the house on the opening night of the premiere.

Brother Jaynes leaves me wondering if there are sufficient among us at the grass roots level willing to "do anything within our power and capability to support such an effort."

Write to me at kiethmerrill@meridianmagazine.com.

Click here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.

Kieth Merrill, in addition to being a fulltime, Academy-award winning director, is Meridian Magazine's Movie Editor.