Animated Docudrama: Rich Studios: President Abraham Lincoln

 This short animated feature tells the life of Abraham Lincoln from the time of his leaving Springfield. Illinois and traveling to Washington.  It is short, so gleans over much of his life.  However it does show the death of his son to a fever while he was in the White House. 
The emancipation was presented with much cheering.  This may have been true in pockets, but there were also places where people were very much opposed to the proclamation.
The part I liked bests was the Gettysburg Address.  They presented the entire speech, with animation of the conflict portrayed to this.  It was very moving.
The presentation goes from there, almost immediately to the funeral procession and the train carrying Lincoln's body back to Springfield.  While he travels, this song is sung; written by Carol Lynn Pearson and Lex de Azevedo.
One LifeOne life
Lived with courage and care
One life
Yes, that’s all that it takes
One hand
That will never be halted
One back
That the World cannot break

One Life
Lived by heavenly faith
One Life
Shining clear in the dark
One Life seeing visions of morning
One word
Igniting the spark
See how it glows
See how it grows
Changing the world
Rearranging the world
Giving hope that will stand firm and fast
When that one life is ended and past
Oh that light will burn bright and will last
Forever
Forever!
One life
Given up for cause
One soul
Oh how it will soar
One day
That will not be forgotten
One name
That will live evermore

One life
Lived with courage and care
One life
Yes, that’s all that it takes
One hand
That will never be halted
One back
That the World cannot break

See how it glows
See how it grows
Changing the world
Rearranging the world
Giving hope that will stand firm and fast
When that one life is ended and past
Oh that light will burn bright and will last
Forever
Forever!

Documentary Review: Lincoln: His Life and Legacy

Volume One: "Lincoln: History in the Making"  This documentary is presented by History Channel.  As such they rely considerably on historical drama, and interview with Abraham Lincoln historians to tell the story. 
It starts with the presentation of a dream, supposedly a dream of President Lincoln of his own assassination, before he was killed.  From there, the tell a rather depressive story about Lincoln's life.
They talk about his very rough childhood, with multiple family deaths including his mother.  Harsh treatment by his father, who basically farmed him out and took his earnings; like many did with slaves.  He eventually escaped taking employment on a river boat.  His first love died from typhoid. 
At several points in the movie it mentions wild rumor and innuendo.  Of course many times it refutes this with other historians, but it still brings up the subject. 
Was Abraham Lincoln gay?  He lived with and slept with a man for five years, Joshua Fry Speed.  Lincoln had a close relationship with this man, as indicated by letter.  Of course, in this day sharing a bed was common and based on economic need rather than sexual orientation. He also shared beds with other men while on the lawyer circuit.
It focuses much on the relationship between he and his wife.  He was engaged to her before, but broke off the engagement and took a tailspin of depression.  However he did recover and they became man and wife.  The documentary contends that Mary Lincoln likely suffered from bipolar disorder.  She could become very angry.  They were both lonely in their marriage.
The movie also presented Lincoln as melancholy during his presidency.  He lost a son, he sent many sons to their deaths.  Never has an American President presided over so much death.  It assumes he must have been bothered.  There were times, when waiting for news of the war, he was subject to anxiety, not being able to sleep.  We see many pictures of Lincoln over the course of his life, and can see the drain the war placed on his person.
The movie also presents the Spiritualism of the first lady.  She also over spent, and at times messed in activity which would be considered illegal today, cooking books and giving contracts to friends. 
This is the first presentation of many in this four DVD set.  However, I am somewhat disappointed in this one as it tends to the macabre and shock.  The actual events I think were likely much different.

Documentary Movie Review: The Hunt for Lincoln's Assassin

"The Hunt for Lincoln's Assassin" is a made-for-TV movie by National Geographic reenacted documentary for the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.  The methods used our interview with historians and authors, including one who wrote the biography of John Wilkes Booth.  It also employs a few pictures, but for the most part it employs historical reenactment with narration.  Booth was not captured until a couple of weeks after the assassination.  He likely would have gotten away, but his ability to travel quickly was hampered by his broken leg which he suffered when he jump from Lincoln's booth to the stage of Ford's theater. They escaped from Washington D.C. into Maryland, before authorities could seal off the city.  Booth's escape then took him to the home of Dr. Mudd, who determined his leg was broken and put it in a splint and also provided crutches.  He traveled with David Herald.
Secretary of War Edwin Stanton lead the search for Booth.  He offered 100,000 reward to those helping in his capture.  He also appointed detective Colonel to Lafayette Baker to the lead the pursuit.  Everton Conger lead a party of 25 men who headed the investigation and pursuit. 
This documentary points out the mood of the country as a result of the assassination was one of revenge against southerners.  Many were killed or persecuted in the pursuit, and as well as a result of a general feeling of animosity.
Booth was able to finally make it into Virginia.  This was on their second attempt.  The first attempt the became confused in the fog and ended up landing again in Maryland.
A report in error of Booth and Herald crossing the Potomac, but Conger and his men on the right track.  The report was actually a witness of someone other than Booth crossing the river, but even so, as Booth had in facgt crossed, it put them within three miles of Booth.
Booth and Herald were lead by returning Confederate soldiers to the Garrett farm.   They hid out there for several days, but when federal soldiers went by, and Booth hid in the forest the family determined something as not right.  They insisted they leave, but granted them one for night, insisting the sleep in the tobacco barn.  Conger heard of these soldiers, and was determined to interview on of them, Willie Jett.  Jett was able to guide them to the Garrett farm.  It was in this barn that Conger and his men found Booth.  Booth's traveling companion was allowed to come out and was captured.  Booth refused to leave the barn.  They set fire to his barn, and being able to see Booth in the flames, Sergeant Boston Corbett shot through the cracks between the barn plank, hitting Booth in the neck.  His spinal cord was severed, and he was paralyzed.  The soldiers brought him out of the barn, and he succumbed a couple hours later.  

Philo Farnsworth: Inventor of Television

Philo Farnsworth

Rigby High School

A play being presented in Mountain View is "The Farnsworth Invention" written by Aaron Sorkin.  I found this article which deals with the history of the the play.  In so doing it gives us Philo Farnsworth's history.  Here is a young man, who before he was in the ninth grade at Rigby High School, came up with what became his idea for television.  He shared this with his science teacher.  At a very young age he took out a patent for his idea, and began working in a lab perfecting his invention.  He was given the original patent of television, although and earlier patent had been applied for.  However, that idea was deemed unworkable. 
Here is a scene by scene account of the play and the history; which are not the same.
http://thefarnsworthinvention.com/index.html

Movie Review: The Wright Brothers

Next Entertainment, Rich studios, Animated hero Classics: The Wright Brothers, 1996.
This animated feature tells the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright as the develop the first motorized flying machine.  The made two major discoveries in the quest to fly.  The first was that they needed to have a rotating rudder, so the could correct for small errors the way a bird does.  The next is that their starting data was wrong.  They had to rework the information the were provided as to what would make something fly, and come up with their own data.
This presentation gives a humorous tone to the competition between themselves and thee French, in the race to be the fist to fly.  The Wright's were patient, before sharing their success with the world.  However, when they did share and publicly present their plane, they did so in France.

Their father was supportive of their work, but asked that they not fly together until they were sure it was safe.  he did not want to lose both sons at one time.  The presentation concludes with them flying together.

Historical Movie: ****^ Young Mr. Lincoln

This is a 1939 black and white movie available through instant Netflix.  It is directed by John Ford and Henry Fonda plays M. Lincoln.  This is not the way you would expect a Lincoln movie to go.  Instead this movie touches Lincoln as a man, a fallible, sometimes humorous, melancholy man.  He is truly an enigma.  There are those scenes where he can control a crowd with his wit and humor an courage; then there are those times when he talks down about himself.  This movie is truly a masterpiece.  Henry Fonda does a superb job.  I learned things about Abraham Lincoln I didn't know.  He likely had a love when he was young, who succumbed to typhoid.  He was melancholy, and subject to bouts of depression.  This movie also presents Lincoln as a lawyer, and it was as spellbinding as Perry Mason.  I recommend this movie.  Here is a longer review of this comparing it to another Lincoln movie.
http://www.criticsatlarge.ca/2012/11/abraham-lincoln-myth-and-man.html

Mormon Historical Movie: The Joseph Millett Story

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-129-the-joseph-millett-story?category=doctrine-and-covenants/section-120-church-historyThis is a very simple story, which illustrates our importance to God.  God is aware of us and our needs.  Brother Huff and his family are out of food.  The children bring this news home from school.  The years has been hard, and people are running out of food, before the run out of winter.  This was common in those days, but did not make it any easier.  Families often subsisted on roots, or thistles.  This story tells the story of on family's willingness to help, and also their having the trust of the Lord.

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-01-joseph-smith-the-prophet-of-the-restoration?category=feature-films

This is a historical reenactment of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith as told through the eyes of his mother, Lucy Mack Smith.  This is a very entertaining movie made by the Church in2005.  It depicts Joseph's childhood briefly, but focuses a great deal of attention on the first vision and Moroni and the book of Mormon.  It also makes Joseph's courtship of Emma real, and shows the disappointment of his father-in-law.  It shows many of the trials and persecutions Joseph faced throughout his life.  It also shows the trials of the people he lead. 
Of course a historical reenactment cannot show every detail, and there are parts that were glossed over.  One of these was the reason for Joseph going to Carthage.  It was hinted this was because of Missourians, but does not talk about the local problems in Nauvoo.
This is a great movie.  It leaves you feeling good, and shows period costumes and manners.  It seems the mob may be too mobbish, with teeth missing and ugly grins.  Maybe they were not all such rough men.
One of the best scenes is in Missouri, when Joseph was held prisoner and he rebukes the guards for they way they are talking.  Very powerful. 

Mormon Historical Movie:This is the Spirit of Revelation

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-012-this-is-the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng

This short movie tells the story of Oliver Cowdery, but uses this story to teach a message.  Oliver lodged with Joseph's parents, and hear the story of the Book of Mormon and Joseph's vision.  He wondered if maybe he could help with the work.  He prayed about what he could do, asking the Lord if he should offer to be Joseph's scribe.  He received an answer in the affirmative, and traveled to meet the Prophet, and shortly was serving as scribe.  Joseph Smith received a revelation for Oliver Cowdery.  Doctrine and Covenants 6: 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness  can you have than from God?

Revelation is not easy, testimony is not easy.  It takes a sincere desire.  It takes a willingness to follow what the Lord would have you do.  Oliver wanted to translate, and was given this opportunity.  He did well for short time, then discovered he could not translate.  D&C 9: 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.

Oliver Cowdery was a very interesting man.  He did a tremendous work as scribe for Joseph Smith.

Mormon History Movie: A Man Without Eloquence

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-09-a-man-without-eloquence?lang=eng

Brigham Young tells the story of his conversion, saying a testimony born by the spirit, though not eloquent touched him heart, and illuminated him with light.  Eleazer Miller was the individual who baptized him.  Very well done, and talks of the important of testifying by the spirit, and the unimportance of using big words.

Mormon History Movie: How Rare a Possession: The Book of Mormon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75D5UEPwP-YThis movie depicts the scenes of Parley P. Pratt finding the Book of Mormon which were also presented as a separate movie.  This version adds another story; that of Vincenzo di Fancesca, and Italian pastor of the 20th Century.  He toured the United States, and became a preacher, with a gift for preaching.  He found a book, which was old and the Title of the book and title page had both been lost.  This was the Book Of Mormon, unbeknown to him.  He read the book, and became convinced of its veracity through prayer and the Holy Ghost.  He began preaching from the book.  He shared stories of special meaning--Nephis's vision of the Virgin Mary, King Benjamin's discourse on service, an other significant stories.  He actually became quite successful preaching.  However the brotherhood of the faith censored him, telling him to burn the book or be expelled.  He couldn't burn the book, as he was convinced of its truth.  He served in WWI.  Even during the war he was disciplined for preaching from the book.  It wasn't until after the war, he discovered the book's origin as the Book of Mormon.  Made efforts to be baptized, but politics prevented him from meeting with anyone who could baptize him.  This story documents his struggle.  WWII got in his way.  It wasn't until after the war that he was finally able to fulfill this goal.  He was by then an old man. 
In his study of the book, the movie also portrays important scenes form the Book of Mormon.

Mormon Historical Movie: Parley P. Pratt Finds the Book of Mormon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKbbghDl7f8

This movie tells the story of a spiritual man in the year 1830.  Parley Pratt had a sense that he needed to be a teacher of the gospel, and leave his home.  In his journey, on his way to Albany, New York, he felt impressed to stop to teach.  As a result of this stop, he found the Book of Mormon, which he could not put down.  Eating and sleep seemed a burden to him.  He then traveled to Palmyra, to meet the translator.  He found Hyrum Smith at the home.  Again the spent the night talking about the restoration.  He had found something with more worth to him than his property or many properties would have been

Mormon Historical Video: Organization of the Church

This is a short video  shows a historical depiction of the events around the reestablishment of the Church in the Peter Whitmer home April 6, 1830.  It includes the events leading up to the restoration, including the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the First Vision.  The original movie was produced by the Church in 1982.  The original is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4B_BTjpG8o&list=HL1380777606

 It truly was a marvelous day.  It included voting to accept Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as their spiritual leaders, baptisms of all now that they were baptized into the church, the sacrament for the first time in this dispensation, confirmations and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and priesthood ordinations.  President Kimball's message from the 150 year anniversary is provided at the end of the video.  He was addressing the church from the Peter Whitmer home.  The Church which started with six members, as per the law of the state of New York, then numbered millions. 

Mormon Historical Movie: Restoration of the Priesthood (1982)

This is part of a series of Church History movies I am viewing.  This movie tells the stories of the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods.  In 1839, as Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated the Book of Mormon, they came across scripture talking of the need for baptism.  However, at that time they did not have the authority to baptize, so they took to nearby woods to pray.  They were close to the Susquehanna River.  John the Baptist appeared to them, and confirmed the priesthood on them. They then baptized each other in the river.  This movie also presented Peter James and John and the restoration of the higher priesthood.  It concludes with Boyd K. Packer talking about the importance of having the proper authority.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4B_BTjpG8o
The first ten minutes of this movie show the same video minus the Boyd K. Packer addition.

Movie Review: ****^Legacy

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulLvUw-c96o

This move tells the Mormon story.  It is based on historical happenings, but is told through the eyes of a fictional family, the Williams.  This is the story of Eliza Williams, who is presented as a contemporary of Joseph Smith.  She embraces the gospel as a young girl of 13.  Following her life and that of her family, it presents many church historical happenings.  It sets as its theme, finding Zion.  It shows the family leaving New York, to Kirtland and on to Missouri.   Eliza is present at the Missouri persecutions, Independence and Haun's Mill.  Her brother is killed at Haun's Mill.  She gets to Far West in time to see the militia arresting the church leaders, and the Mormons being expelled from Missouri.  The back track to Illinois, and many of the Mormons contract malaria from the swamps in the area.  She receives a blessing from Joseph Smith's hand in Commerce (later to become Nauvoo.)  She participates in the construction of the Nauvoo Temple.  Her boyfriend, husband is a stone cutter recently arrived from England.  He works on the temple.  They overcome the shock when Joseph Smith is murdered.  There family is part of the trek across Iowa to Winter Quarters.  This movie gets me every time when Eliza's father falls in the mud crossing Iowa.  The Tabernacle Choir is singing "Come Come Ye Saints" and that part makes me cry every time.  The muddy walk across Iowa was a trial for the Saints, followed by the miserable conditions at Winter's Quarters.  Her husband, David Walker, joins the Nauvoo Legion as part of the Mexican War.  Eliza is left to get the family across the plains.  She takes the part of Mary Fielding Smith in blessing her ox.  Her husband returns to her on the plains.
There is a rich historical heritage which is based on sacrifice and blessing.  This movie portrays this well.  I wish however they had used historical characters rather than fictional to tell the story.  This movie was first presented at the Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake City.

Mormon Video: The Work and Designs of God

This movie starts in Smithfield, as a young man, and recent immigrant to Utah, is hired to help work on a farm.  His name is William Pilkington.  (I knew some Pilkingtons from Cache Valley.)  He finds more than he had expected at the home where he is to stay the summer.  It is the home of Martin Harris.  Martin Harris tells of his dealings with the Book of Mormon, as witness to the book,  The title of the movie refers to the revelation Joseph received.  D&C 3: 1 "The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught."  Joseph received revelation that the pages had been stolen, and then changed by evil men, so as to prove the work false.  To thwart this effort, instead of retranslating the same place, the Small Plates of Nephi were used to tell this part of the story.  Martin was not allowed to assist in the translating after this, but Oliver Cowdery served as scribe.
Martin Harris concludes his story with his testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon.  "As sure as the sun is shining, I know that the book of Mormon is true."