Jon Gries, Jon Voight, Lolita Davidovich

On September 11, 1857 in an unspoiled valley of the Utah Territory-and in the name of God-120 men, women and children were savagely murdered. Who ordered the massacre, and why, has been hidden in a...( read more  read more... ) cloak of secrecy and conspiracy. And the reputation of one of the nation's mightiest religious figures has been preserved and protected. Until now. Based on actual historical events, "September Dawn" is a feature length drama that depicts the tragic encounter between a party of innocent settlers and a fanatic Mormon militia. The religious terrorism depicted in the film happened 150 years ago and resonates in many ways with acts of mindless violence occurring across the world today.

Flixster Users

50% liked it

8,372 ratings

Critics

13% liked it

54 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Christopher Cain

Release Date: August 24, 2007

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (475)


  • November 13, 2009
    Very black and white views on where the truth really lies. Yes, it was a shameful act in history that people ought to know about, but who's to say FOR SURE what really happened then. People need to know the CORRECT AND KNOWN facts and then make up their own mind from there. Ho...( read more)wever, there was one great line in one of the special features that sums up what I believe... God save us from men doing God's work. AMEN!!!
  • September 4, 2009
    My wife and I were flipping through internet ready movies looking for a comedy, and boy did we hit the jackpot! I almost considered giving the film 2 stars for its comedic value alone, but I figured I'd better not give it more than it truely deserves. First off, I will say I am...( read more) a Mormon. This film in no way offended me, it just cracked me up. I seriously laughed out loud when the scene came on showing the wagon train Christians praying and thanking God for the help of the Mormons with smiles on their faces and the sun shining brightly before them, juxstiposed with the evil black dressed nazi-Mormons praying to curse and damn them to hell for "wearing pants"...I can't remember the last time we all sat around in church praying curses on people and damning them to Hell, but I'm sure we do it all the time.
    Granted, the Meadows Massacre was a horrible thing. The movie portrayed the history party true, and partly misleading, but don't all "historical dramas"? Every historical drama, whether it's Braveheart or Gladiator all tell half truths and fill in the rest to fit their agenda and make a story work. I have no problem with that, and I'm not even going to argue any facts. But as for a movie itself, it was awful! They easily could have told the story with a more unbiased viewpoint, which would have been just as interesting. Instead, they had to take as many pop shots at Mormons as possible. I love that the prophet suggests that every man should have 3 wives, even though an incredibly small percentage actually had more than one. I love that an apostle can take a man's wife because it was told to him in a vision (and then kill her later for trying to take her kids> WTF?)
    The crowing jewl of this disaster movie is when Jon Gries castrates someone and pins their balls to the wall. Five star laughs there. These people were crappy, and most of it was misrepresented and taken out of context, but they were just a radical group. And there is no proof that Brigham Young had anything to do with, and on the contrary proof that he did try and stop it...but let's not let facts muddle up a good story! Instead lets just put in the end that the church denies it like they're hiding it or something. And this whole doctrine they made up about killing people who do wrong is awesome. I love how in my church we can slit people's throats who do something wrong. The atonment of Christ? What's that? Why do what Christ says and forgive people through repentance when we can kill them? Anyone stupid enough to believes this junk deserves to enjoy this film. Well, I'm getting tired of this review, so I won't even go into how horrible the acting and what not was. I do think however that I want to dress up like the blood covered indian brother for Holloween.
    P.S. Jon Voight must have shot JFK, because he is a true sniper with that 1800's rifle.
  • March 30, 2008
    The film is so clear cut in portraying a black and white scenario, it literally presents the Mormons as like-Nazis, and the wagon train as a pure, innocent, happy-go-lucky bunch.
    The Mormons who committed the massacre were fanatics, no doubt, but the movie portrays the even...( read more)ts in its own fanatical way.
    Yes, on another September 11, another massacre took place in the name of religion. Now you have to watch the entire massacre take place and every person slaughtered in bloody glory on screen. That's the problem with shallow movies like this. They claim to be sympathetic to and meditative on the cause, but they entertain you with brutal violence.
    Not to mention the ear-cringing dialogue, cliched scenarios, and god-awful cinematography.
    At least the modern day tragedy that the film alludes to is evident.
  • March 9, 2008
    Wow this was long and a bit slow. The story was excellent, some part of history. But as for all history of course anyone could argue if it really happened and how it really happened. Guess anyone could make up their own mind. It was too long and to slow other then that it was wel...( read more)l done.
  • January 20, 2008
    Not Sure why this movie was made other then to make people very mad. As It made me very mad. But am glad I now know that bit of history. Would I vote for a morman, Not after seeing this film. Mission Accomplised, I think so.
  • November 18, 2009
    So it's interesting what this movie does (interesting like a train wreck). The idea was to take 9/11 and say, hey, terrible things have been done (allegedly) in the name of religious extremism before, and in September too -- isn't that interesting? That was the idea. What they en...( read more)ded up doing was defaming a religion and fomenting hatred and intolerance of it, leaving us with the message that only vanilla Protestantism can be the One True Faith. Good Lord! That's so much better than what the people you're trying to vilify (allegedly) did!
  • November 12, 2009
    idk if i want 2 c this
  • November 10, 2009
    I thought this to be a pretty funny movie and jon voights overacting had me laughing out loud..don't take the movie too serious and you will have a great time..
  • November 5, 2009
    BASED ON TRUE EVENTS!!
    very dramatic with a love story, good one
  • July 1, 2009
    Uwah...! In the name of God somebody stop them..! noo ...catch them

Critic Reviews


August 25, 2007
Pete Hammond, Maxim

Often gripping and fascinating, it's bound to create waves of controversy. full review

August 24, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Why does this film even exist? full review

August 24, 2007
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What a strange, confused, unpleasant movie this is. full review

August 24, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

It's waxy Classics Illustrated cinema. full review

August 23, 2007
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film feels less like historical drama than a venomous religious tract printed on celluloid. full review

June 17, 2007
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Forget Grindhouse. September Dawn is the year's first honest-to-goodness exploitation flick. full review

View more September Dawn reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • perfectgentlemn
    July 20, 2008
    Sad & Tragic Reality, movie well produced & Jon Voight was incredible... Must see. ;-)

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