Bear Witness|Feb. 24, 2021|United States|110 Min.|PG
Genre: Drama;Family;History
Description: The movie “Witnesses” (2021) explores the history and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering varied interpretations based on the viewer’s familiarity with the faith. For believers, the film revisits familiar moments from the church’s early days, such as Joseph Smith receiving and translating the golden plates that became The Book of Mormon, as well as the persecution faced by Smith and his followers in New York and the Midwest. Non-members, however, might find certain elements, like Smith using a “seer stone” in his hat for translation, perplexing or even far-fetched.
The film does not aim to undermine the faith but rather presents the story from an objective perspective. Comparable to Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s musical “The Book of Mormon,” which humorously depicts Latter-day Saint missionaries, “Witnesses” highlights that the origins of any religion can seem unusual to outsiders. The true value of faith lies in its ability to inspire individuals to improve themselves and treat others with kindness.
Directed by Mark Goodman and written by Latter-day Saint filmmaker Mitch Davis, the movie focuses on Joseph Smith’s charismatic leadership and his profound influence on the early church. Smith’s compelling personality and persuasive abilities are central to the narrative, making him a dominant figure in any portrayal of this period in Mormon history.
Cast director: Mark N. Goodman
Cast actor: Michael Zuccola, Caleb J. Spivak, Lincoln Hoppe, Paul Wuthrich
Original name: Witnesses