LDS Films

[RevTestament]

1 minute ago, Tacenda said:

I just didn't want to make it sound to peachy keen. Sometimes a person needs to make sure their statement encapsulates everything in case someone is to believe they believe only one thing. 

I will say it again, I like the church's messages, just finished "That Which Was Lost", it was another good one, if you fit it in our times.

I assume you are saying the message of the Church has changed? And you prefer the earlier ones? Maybe you feel they presented a less perfect picture, and offered a message of hope to broken families?

[Tacenda]

2 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

I assume you are saying the message of the Church has changed? And you prefer the earlier ones? Maybe you feel they presented a less perfect picture, and offered a message of hope to broken families?

Yes Rev, thanks for figuring out my posts, they aren't always very self explanatory. ETA: Not that their message has changed necessarily, just that they don't show it in the media like BYU productions did before, or I'm not really paying enough attention now. 

Edited July 15, 2017 by Tacenda

[Bernard Gui]

The Great Grasscutter.

 

[USU78]

27 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Back when...after watching the film, I got Elder Groberg's book from the library. Now I forget what it was called, but it was about his life on up to his current status. 

That would run you Eye of the Storm.

[RevTestament]

4 hours ago, Anijen said:

I am just hoping not to see Cahokia or Niagara Falls in the back ground (but Palenque would be acceptable).

Why? Palenque is impressive but is not a BoM site. If it was built by Nephites, they certainly got it wrong, and if it was built by Lamanites, it doesn't seem to meet their lazy lifestyle. Nowhere does the BoM indicate Lamanites built large stone cities more impressive than that of the Nephites. They seemed to mostly just take over what the Nephites built.

[mfbukowski]

On 7/13/2017 at 9:28 PM, MiserereNobis said:

Which LDS film should I watch and why?

I'm really asking about officially sanctioned films (with the Mormon nihil obstat and imprimatur), but feel free to argue for a non-official film.

Please elaborate on the why -- I know there are lots of LDS films out there. Why this one in particular?

ETA: I'll watch the one that most people think I should and give you my feedback on it.

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

I look at it now and the visuals are stunningly dated and kind of silly frankly, but listen to the words.  This film was made for the 1964 NY World's Fair and was kind of an anthem for the church to spread our beliefs quickly, succinctly and "get the spirit going" in the viewers of the time.

Now I listen to the words of this film and I still get goosebumps because if you listen and if you know me, it is as if every word was carefully crafted for "a Bukowski" to hear

Every theme here I find myself repeating endlessly on this thread- that we are here to find our own way back to God and the only tools we have are personal revelation.

It presumes nothing- we come into the world with nothing but questions- the Big Questions and we are here to squander our time or discover answers.  You also hear clearly explained what we always argue here about authoritarianism in the church and I always insist that we are to examine every single doctrine and come to our own conclusions- while all the former LDS are always stuck in authoritarian ways of seeing the church.

To me, every word in their precise order, introduces and summarizes the gospel as Bukowski accepts and understands it, perfectly- it could not be better written in my opinion, and to me approaches or exceeds scriptural quality.

Just close your eyes and listen and don't watch because you will be chuckling all the way through.

Music is very good as well I think.  Keep the soundtrack- you can't do better as far as I am concerned!

[USU78]

15 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

I look at it now and the visuals are stunningly dated and kind of silly frankly, but listen to the words.  This film was made for the 1964 NY World's Fair and was kind of an anthem for the church to spread our beliefs quickly, succinctly and "get the spirit going" in the viewers of the time.

Now I listen to the words of this film and I still get goosebumps because if you listen and if you know me, it is as if every word was carefully crafted for "a Bukowski" to hear

Every theme here I find myself repeating endlessly on this thread- that we are here to find our own way back to God and the only tools we have are personal revelation.

It presumes nothing- we come into the world with nothing but questions- the Big Questions and we are here to squander our time or discover answers.  You also hear clearly explained what we always argue here about authoritarianism in the church and I always insist that we are to examine every single doctrine and come to our own conclusions- while all the former LDS are always stuck in authoritarian ways of seeing the church.

To me, every word in their precise order, introduces and summarizes the gospel as Bukowski accepts and understands it, perfectly- it could not be better written in my opinion, and to me approaches or exceeds scriptural quality.

Just close your eyes and listen and don't watch because you will be chuckling all the way through.

Music is very good as well I think.  Keep the soundtrack- you can't do better as far as I am concerned!

And that beautiful voice. Kind, measured, soft. It's what I imagine His voice, in my ears and not my head, sounds like.

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

Back when...after watching the film, I got Elder Groberg's book from the library. Now I forget what it was called, but it was about his life on up to his current status. 

Sounds like you got a sequel. 

The book on which the movie was based was called In the Eye of the Storm. After the movie came out, the publisher changed it to give it the same title as the movie. 

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

I look at it now and the visuals are stunningly dated and kind of silly frankly, but listen to the words.  This film was made for the 1964 NY World's Fair and was kind of an anthem for the church to spread our beliefs quickly, succinctly and "get the spirit going" in the viewers of the time.

Now I listen to the words of this film and I still get goosebumps because if you listen and if you know me, it is as if every word was carefully crafted for "a Bukowski" to hear

Every theme here I find myself repeating endlessly on this thread- that we are here to find our own way back to God and the only tools we have are personal revelation.

It presumes nothing- we come into the world with nothing but questions- the Big Questions and we are here to squander our time or discover answers.  You also hear clearly explained what we always argue here about authoritarianism in the church and I always insist that we are to examine every single doctrine and come to our own conclusions- while all the former LDS are always stuck in authoritarian ways of seeing the church.

To me, every word in their precise order, introduces and summarizes the gospel as Bukowski accepts and understands it, perfectly- it could not be better written in my opinion, and to me approaches or exceeds scriptural quality.

Just close your eyes and listen and don't watch because you will be chuckling all the way through.

Music is very good as well I think.  Keep the soundtrack- you can't do better as far as I am concerned!

After the Worlds Fair, the movie was shown at the visitors center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City -- which was built to utilize the exhibits from the Mormon Pavilion at the fair. 

I vividly remember our family going up after general conference one Sunday to tour the visitors center, our seeing the movie and my mom crying while watching it. 

Suffice it to say the visuals did not seem cheesy at all to me back in the day. Funny how our cultural  perspectives change with time. 

Edited July 15, 2017 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

41 minutes ago, USU78 said:

And that beautiful voice. Kind, measured, soft. It's what I imagine His voice, in my ears and not my head, sounds like.

That of course was Elder Richard L. Evans of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was the first TV and radio announcer the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had for any great length of time, pre-dating Spence Kinard and the current one, Lloyd Newell. 

[Bernard Gui]

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

I look at it now and the visuals are stunningly dated and kind of silly frankly, but listen to the words.  This film was made for the 1964 NY World's Fair and was kind of an anthem for the church to spread our beliefs quickly, succinctly and "get the spirit going" in the viewers of the time.

Now I listen to the words of this film and I still get goosebumps because if you listen and if you know me, it is as if every word was carefully crafted for "a Bukowski" to hear

Every theme here I find myself repeating endlessly on this thread- that we are here to find our own way back to God and the only tools we have are personal revelation.

It presumes nothing- we come into the world with nothing but questions- the Big Questions and we are here to squander our time or discover answers.  You also hear clearly explained what we always argue here about authoritarianism in the church and I always insist that we are to examine every single doctrine and come to our own conclusions- while all the former LDS are always stuck in authoritarian ways of seeing the church.

To me, every word in their precise order, introduces and summarizes the gospel as Bukowski accepts and understands it, perfectly- it could not be better written in my opinion, and to me approaches or exceeds scriptural quality.

Just close your eyes and listen and don't watch because you will be chuckling all the way through.

Music is very good as well I think.  Keep the soundtrack- you can't do better as far as I am concerned!

Showed that many times on my mission. I agree.

 

[hagoth7]

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

1964. Hmm.

That film has resonated quite a bit recently.

The kids asked to be taken to a local amusement park. Up until that point, in the 20 years I had lived in the area, had been there perhaps  3 times, each time, I believe, was a work get-to-gether or a ward gathering. This time around, my mother had suggested it to us, and the kids really wanted to go. 

Spent a fair amount of time on that visit, thinking about that film.

Edited July 15, 2017 by hagoth7

[cinepro]

6 hours ago, mfbukowski said:

Without a doubt the most important film to me in the film collection of the church is the 1964 film "Man's Search for Happiness".   Important, not artistic, not well done, not up to today's standards on anything but to me, IMPORTANT.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-10-0001-mans-search-for-happiness-1964?lang=eng

I look at it now and the visuals are stunningly dated and kind of silly frankly, but listen to the words.  This film was made for the 1964 NY World's Fair and was kind of an anthem for the church to spread our beliefs quickly, succinctly and "get the spirit going" in the viewers of the time.

 

If the 1964 version is too dated, there's always the 1986 version.

And if the fast-paced visuals of the 1964 version are too much, there's this version.

Edited July 15, 2017 by cinepro

[mfbukowski]

10 minutes ago, cinepro said:

If the 1964 version is too dated, there's always the 1986 version.

And if the fast-paced visuals of the 1964 version are too much, there's this version.

There were too many changes in the 1984 script for my taste- they elaborated more on the doctrine more than was necessary imo, it kind of diluted the effect.

[Garden Girl]

On 7/14/2017 at 8:07 AM, strappinglad said:

Come on guys, I am shocked ...SHOCKED .. that no one has mentioned Johnny Lingo !

When I was attending Educ Week at BYU one year,  I was shopping in the Bookstore and came across a tee shirt with eight black/white cows and the saying... "I'm an 8-Cow woman."  It cracked me up, so I bought a copy of the movie and sent it to my sister with the shirt and instructions she couldn't open the envelope containing the shirt until she watched the movie... cracked her up also... she used to wear the shirt all the time and would get puzzled looks, but one day in Wal-Mart she saw this woman look at her shirt and burst out laughing...

My suggestion for a film is a non-LDS (Church) made film... "The Cokeville Miracle"... a story based on the 1986 true events in the small LDS-majority ranching community of Cokeville, Wyoming.  The film never mentions the Church or LDS members... but it is evident that most of the people are LDS... the Church is an LDS chapel, and the primary children are singing an LDS song, A Child's Prayer (title?).  It really was a miracle how all of the 136 children and 18 teachers being held hostage were protected when a deranged man (who herded everyone into one room) with a powerful homemade bomb (which detonated) took over the elementary school demanding ransom.  Interviews with survivors today tell their experiences with guardian angels... each one describing similar stories of events.  

A second film, put out by the Church and very well done, is titled "Meet the Mormons" and tells about the daily lives of several LDS families and how being LDS affects their lives and their faith.  

GG

Edited July 16, 2017 by Garden Girl

[cinepro]

29 minutes ago, Garden Girl said:

A second film, put out by the Church and very well done, is titled "Meet the Mormons" and tells about the daily lives of several LDS families and how being LDS affects their lives and their faith.  

GG

I agree.  Meet the Mormons is a classic.

 

 

[Scott Lloyd]

31 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I agree.  Meet the Mormons is a classic.

 

 

When the new "Meet the Mormons" came out (the one Gatden Girl was talking about) I looked all over for this older one. Couldn't find it. When I would mention it to people, even Church employees, they would look at me like I was from Mars. 

Yet this was big stuff back in the mid-'70s. They made it into a film strip that we showed in the mission field. I can still hear the Swedish translation of the narration in my mind's ear. 

[Stargazer]

22 hours ago, cinepro said:

 

As you can see, there is a wide variety of films to choose from.  

If you're just looking for an accessible short film that conveys some feeling of LDS doctrine, then I would also recommend "How Rare a Possession."  Like most films produced by the Church in the 1980's and 1990's, it is very earnest and not very subtle, but it has good production values.  

During the 1950's, 60's and 70's, the film department at BYU produced dozens of short films.  Many of them dramatize a short story reinforcing some point of doctrine or culture for the youth (avoid drugs, marry a Mormon, don't judge others by appearance, choose friends carefully etc.)    If you want to go down this rabbit hole, there is an awesome You Tube Channel that is archiving these and making them available for future generations (or until the Church has had enough and takes them down):

 Hard to Find Mormon Videos 

In addition to the BYU produced films, there are all sorts of videos produced for internal training, missionary training, seminary film-strips, fundraising and so much more.  

Some of my favorites:

Visual Poise for Missionaries (sister missionaries are taught how to sit down in a chair at :50)

Where No Flag Burns (1969) (donate money to BYU because they don't tolerate student protests)

A Time To Love (1987) (Not produced by the Church itself, but made to convince Mormon teens to not have sex before marriage.  The sequence starting at 13:30 is particularly memorable.)

Best of Homefront 2 (a collection of the classic commercials that were ubiquitous in the early 1980s, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint - the "Mormons.")

That Which Was Lost (1969) (the identification and avoidance of hippies, including rare footage of hippies in their natural habitat.)

The Fat Fighters (1971)  Weight loss for women in the early 1970s

For Time or Eternity? (1969) A girl is tempted to marry outside the Temple, which means a quickie Vegas marriage of course.  Does she end up making the right choice?)

Too many others to list.  It's a fun channel to explore. 

 

 

2

There was an old Home Teaching instructional video I remember, mainly because Mike Farrell (of MASH fame) played an Elders Quorum President / Mechanic.

He enters the film at about 3:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hj8CxMzqOM

 

Edited July 16, 2017 by Stargazer

[Kenngo1969]

OK, it certainly has its dated aspects; maybe it's even a little campy in spots; but I really enjoyed the original Meet The Mormons (1973).   Maybe I'm just a sucker, but, actually, I was kind of touched by that at certain points.  

[MiserereNobis]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Keep them coming! I'm thinking I might have to watch 2 or maybe even 3 films at this point, but I suppose that's ok.

I do find it interesting that many responses have said that official LDS films are not as good as the non-official ones.

Cipher in the Snow was mentioned a couple of times. I have a hazy memory of watching that in school on a film strip in the '80s. I had no idea it was a Mormon film and wonder how it made it into public schools in the early/mid 80s.

[boblloyd91]

17 hours ago, MiserereNobis said:

Thank you everyone for your responses. Keep them coming! I'm thinking I might have to watch 2 or maybe even 3 films at this point, but I suppose that's ok.

I do find it interesting that many responses have said that official LDS films are not as good as the non-official ones.

Cipher in the Snow was mentioned a couple of times. I have a hazy memory of watching that in school on a film strip in the '80s. I had no idea it was a Mormon film and wonder how it made it into public schools in the early/mid 80s.

So I don't know how much more I could add, but here are a few:

1. The Windtalker- based off of a book by Mormon author Blaine Yorgason it's about an old Indian who has lost his son to the Crow Indians and how he regains his family before he dies. Made in 1980 I believe.

2. The Phone Call- an old BYU movie about this really awkward kid who is trying to call up a girl to get a date. It's both wildly dated but also very relatable. 

3. Mafia and Mormons- a mafioso is put in the witness protection program in Utah and is befriended by some LDS but also has to deal with some judgmental LDS. A look at the good and bad aspects of LDS Utah culture. 

Even though these have already been mentioned, I want to also highly recommend 17 miracles, Cokeville and Ephraim's rescue

[Jeanne]

On 7/15/2017 at 8:38 AM, Tacenda said:

Some of these I was going "Oh, my". But started watching the commercials and was struck with how helpful some were, and how these represent a sweet time in Mormonism. It showed that LDS people have faults, and how to repair them. Now it feels everyone has to live on plane that is impossible to maintain, they aren't seeing these commercials anymore, they're left to wonder if they are terrible parents or family members because they don't see the imperfections in these commercials.

I miss the 60', 70's and 80's of mormonism, I don't miss some of the hurtful doctrine though.  

Tacenda..if I were to return to church for a year..would I recogize it compared to our growing up years?

[Jeanne]

Forgive me as I have not read every post...but do they still have Man's Search for Happiness ..the old one..anywhere?

[Tacenda]

19 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

Tacenda..if I were to return to church for a year..would I recogize it compared to our growing up years?

Not since correlation and simplification!

Edited July 17, 2017 by Tacenda

[Tacenda]

Does anyone remember Stuart Petersen the LDS actor? He played Joseph Smith in one of the first films about the First Vision. Here's a DN write up about him quiting show business early in life. I remember when he took my friend out once. He was in movies such as "Where the Red Fern Grows" & "Against a Crooked Sky". In the DN article it mentions his home being in Cokeville, Wyoming. I wonder where he is now?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/14289/ACTOR-GAVE-UP-STARDOM-FOR-LIFE-UNDER-THE-STARS.html