September Dawn (2007)
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13% of critics liked it
(54 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(9,174 ratings)
Director Christopher Cain takes an up-close look at the devastation wrought by religious fanaticism with this romantic drama set against the backdrop of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre. As a wagon train of westward-bound settlers makes its way across southern Utah, a confrontation with a… More Director Christopher Cain takes an up-close look at the devastation wrought by religious fanaticism with this romantic drama set against the backdrop of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre. As a wagon train of westward-bound settlers makes its way across southern Utah, a confrontation with a congregation of Mormons soon leads to deadly consequences for all involved. Jon Voight, Lolita Davidovich, and Jon Gries co-star in a historical drama centered on the massacre, which continues to stir controversy over a century and a half after the fact. Terence Stamp and Dean Cain contribute small roles as Brigham Young and Joseph Smith, respectively -- who were not directly involved with the massacre but are pictured in flashbacks. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Christopher Cain
- Written By
- Carole Whang Schutter, Christopher Cain
- Genres
- Western, Drama
- In Theaters
- Aug 24, 2007 Wide
- Studio
- Slowhand Releasing
Critic Reviews
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The villainous turns by Jon Voight (as a hard-hearted Mormon bishop) and Terence Stamp (as a bloodthirsty Brigham Young) would have been more fun if they weren't part of such a clumsy campaign to lay this tragedy at the church's doorstep.
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Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times
The workmanlike craftsmanship of Cain's filmmaking almost (but never quite) smooths over the ham-fisted way he conceives the story.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
A plodding and highly questionable history lesson.
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Ted Fry, Seattle Times
Religious and thematic issues aside, September Dawn is well-crafted as a revisionist Western with a message.
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Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times
The maudlin, grotesque western September Dawn apes Schindler's List in hopes of creatinga Christian Holocaust picture.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jon Voight
as Jacob Samuelson
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Trent Ford
as Jonathan Samuelson
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Tamara Hope
as Emily Hudson
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Jon Gries
as John D. Lee
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Taylor Handley
as Micah Samuelson
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Huntley Ritter
as Robert Humphries
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Krisinda Cain
as Young Woman
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Shaun Johnston
as Captain Fancher
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Lolita Davidovich
as Nancy Dunlap
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Dean Cain
as Joseph Smith
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Terence Stamp
as Brigham Young
- Franklin E. Levinson
- Jack Alma





