DVD 17 Miracles
Run time: 113 min
Rating: 5.9
Genres: Adventure | History
Director: T.C. Christensen
Writers: T.C. Christensen, Laurie Vukich
Stars: Jasen Wade, Emily Wadley, Jason Celaya
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Storyline As part of the Willie Handcart Company, Levi Savage (Jasen Wade) feared that leaving late in the season would lead to despair and death… See full synopsis » |
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Plot Keywords: religious film, snow, healing, winter, hunger | |
Details: Country: USA Release Date: 3 June 2011 (USA) |
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4 comments
Most viewers will be overwhelmed at the number of ordeals and miracles that are shown. Movies such as this instills a great respect to our pioneers depicted on this film. "17 Miracles" is really a miracle. The first few seconds are somewhat disturbing like a horror film but as the stories unfold, miracle after miracle will leave your heart with shock and awe The stories are beautifully written and they come to life in every frame. It is not wholesome for there are thematic suffering and hardships that might offend children so parental guidance is recommended. The lead actor who played Levi Savage is very good at the portrayal of his part. I Highly recommend it. We need more inspiring films like this in our homes.
17 Miracles is a summary of 17 of the documented events (miracles) of the two "Belated" handcart companies who were traveling to Utah in 1856. These were mostly poor immigrants from the British Isles and Scandinavia who arrived late in the season and had no recourse but to continue on to Utah even though there was the potential for bad weather. The movie in my opinion tries not to be over-dramatic and in some ways under-plays the suffering of the pioneers when you consider the temperature, with wind-chill factor would have approached minus 50 degrees. The acting was good, especially the roll of Levi Savage portrayed by Jason Wade. Although the movie attempts to depict the entire handcart trek it is actually 17 mostly jointed vignettes portraying events that were recorded in the journals of many of the handcart pioneers. My Great Great Grandmother was in the Willey Handcart Company; I have her journal and the movie was true to her telling.
For what this movie tries to do, it is completely successful. It is not meant to be an Indiana Jones type of show. It is meant to tell a tale of many lives woven together by a life threatening trek based on faith and desire to serve God and be His people no matter the cost. In this sense I believe it is one of the best I have seen. If you are looking for intrigue or for a completely integrated plot line with the same character's being followed up on throughout, it is not that type of movie and you won't be satisfied. The main character ties it together- but the others are all hit and miss. The point is that there are miracles throughout based on faith in God and His mercy. That is the plot. I love it more each time I see it. And I see more each time I watch. If you have faith, you will love this movie.
I really, really enjoyed this movie. I do not see how, in retrospect, someone can dislike this movie, as it has so many wonderful aspects that make it shine. The acting was amazing, each actor fitting with the character they portrayed like fingers to the metaphorical glove. The cinematography, as I have come to expect from T. C. Christansen, was phenomenal and complemented the brilliant music that suited each subsequent scene in the movie. I, similar to other men out there, thought I was immune to crying in movies others would find sad, but I found myself silently tearing as I witnessed the tragic events that played out before me. To all those who feel like hating on this movie solely because of their personal prejudices against the church which it represents, I implore them to just watch this movie, and to not let their feelings get in the way of a wonderful experience.