This film uses the fictitious character of Eliza Williams to portray the first seventeen years of the LDS Church. Eliza watches or participates through major milestone events in the Church's history, such as the Missouri persecutions, the Haun's Mill massacre, Joseph Smith's martyrdom, the building of the Nauvoo temple, the trek west, and the call of the Mormon Battalion. This story is told in flashback from 1893 as Eliza speaks with her young grandson during the setting of the Angel Moroni statue on the Salt Lake temple.
As in "Brigham Young," "Brigham," and other films a romantic subplot between fictitious characters is superimposed onto the historically-based narrative of the progression of the Saints.
This film grew directly out of the refurbishment of the Hotel Utah as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, a project initiated by Gordon B. Hinckley. The storyline was largely Hinckley's, although the actual screenwriting was done by writer/director Kieth Merrill. Production began in January 1990; it was filmed on locations in England and America, with a principle cast of thirty, a cast of extras at 3,000, and a crew of 120. The rough cut was deemed overly long and it was hence cut down to its final length to accommodate hourly screenings. The new building was dedicated on June 27, 1993, and "Legacy" premiered on July 3.
Both the film and theater were an immense success, including on the latter's video release in 1997. When a new film, "The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd," premiered in the cinema it was renamed the Legacy Theater. The term has come to be used on LDS genealogical software and other items.
My son, Neill Barry is the actor who played "Johnny". Hard to believe it was 30 years ago!
"Well I don't believe in Joseph Smith! And I think YOU'RE a fool too!"
That's awesome! I think your son did a fantastic job. In fact, I love how authentic his acting is just before he leaves home.
He did an incredible job. This movie is SO powerful and endorsed by the Hand of The Master. ❤
Why doesn’t he list it in his movie credits? I thought he did a great job, by the way.
@@tracytanner7482 There were never any credits at the end of the film.
Brings back memories of when it was playing in the 90's on the big screen in the Joseph Smith Memorial building next to the salt Lake temple
tickets were hard to get, I discovered the church because of this movie. I was baptized dec 1993
@@victoriaberryhill5318 that is so neat! Thx for sharing
Great channel. I am overwhelmed finding these clips, which I never expected to exìst. They are great soulfood, since being baptized, recently, and finding my peace in the Lord and Jesus Christ. Having had the Book of Mormon untouched on my shelve I finď so much surprising things of very personal character in it now, I'll look forward in joy to an awesome journey. I really feel kinda reborn. Thank you Lord for picking and enlighting me. Amen
Thanks for posting this. My husband and I got married in the salt lake temple, which is nice due to the amount of history behind it
My branch used to have Friday night cultural nights. We played an LDS themed video or a devotional. This was one of the films we showed.
Thank you for posting this. It means a lot to me. Eliza is such a great example. I always feel the spirit and more at peace after watching this movie.
50:37 I've never commented so much on a video, but I swear too many scenes make me teary; this reunion especially I gotta give a cup to this scene 💚❤💚❤
34:06 I admire how Jacob talked to David regarding Eliza instead of getting in a ruffle about it like males mostly do when it comes to relationships, especially marriages ... I don't know, the way Jacob handled the situation was truly amazing.
You know he did not really exist.
@@andrewjoy08 good to know.
He was classy (in a fictional character kind of way)
Often the fictional movie characters from church history are composite of more than one historical person. It is not a stretch that this kind of conversation would have happened between real people.
That always stood out to me, too. Jacob's mostly just the film's Disposable Fiancé character but he gets a surprising amount of depth with how maturely he handles the situation. (It's consistent with how he tried defusing the mob earlier.) He's clearly a good man, even if he was too old for Eliza and she picked David in the end. Good work on the writer's part.
48:43 Omg this part gave me the chills like Eliza's prayer and words to that Ox touched my heart xo.
Thank you for the upload. It is a great movie for Pioneer Day! Happy Pioneer Day everyone!
Such a moving film . Loved it ❤ 🙏😊 Come Come ye Saints........
I love this movie
Kathleen Beller! Quite startled to see her in a Church-related movie, but pleasantly so! She was (and is) very lovely, and a bit underrated as an actress imo. Great film!
she is amazing in the tv series the blue and the gray that is a covil war based tv show....only other thing ive seen besides this with her...i love legacy...watched it in theaters when it came out
I agree, her acting is flawless.
good movie, thanks a lot
There's a reason this movie was "shelved" for some time. There was "difficulty" with the actor who portrayed Joseph Smith.
some people haven't studied true fact--but will keep scorching with hatred. The movie wasn't forced on anyone--it was just available if some wanted to view it
3:44 - 3:50 At that moment, Johnny was like “That's it. I'm out of here.”
I like the actor😊😁
They glossed over the Hauns Mill Massacre... Where children were Executed.
The filmmakers had to make sure it was appropriate for all audiences, so of course there are a lot of things that they couldn't get into
@@carlsticht4757 I wish they showed the part where Joe S cupped the 13 year old's breasts. It would add authenticity
The general public doesn't want to hear how this fairies at Hauns Mill were totally persecuted--just because of who they were.
David Walker reminds me the actor Lee Pace
35:08
19:00 sad. I never understood that when I saw this movie as a kid. Apparently, a number of women were brutally gang raped during the raid. Land of freedom, right?
31:38 David rizz game is strong
I used to love to spark up a joint and watch LDS movies...
I used to go to Church high, weed, meth, adderall, sometimes a couple beers...I find it a high in and of itself these days though ;)
Have anyone noticed that both their adresses have "Falls" ? Could this be the origin for the title of the trilogy?
Please change The group name "Mormon" for "videos from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" for example.
❤ Thank you for uploading these wonderful videos. If you insist upon calling them "Mormon" videos, please use quotation marks so that people will understand that "Mormon" is not the name of the Church, the doctrine or members. Remember what our prophet said about removing the Lord's name from His Church. 😊
amen
6:00 - 6:03 Joe is a nickname of Joseph.
34:06 why are they fighting over a woman JS is just going to marry and drill in the barn anyways haha bottom of the MLM Mormon scheme these poor fools...then he marrys them the irony
Did anyone catch that? At 47:05. She said "Let's help God keep His promise". That is blasphemy. God does not need our help to do His work or keep His promises. Wow.
Ancient Of Days some movies aren’t accurate give em a break
Ancient Of Days God's promises are dependant on how we live. If we are righteous we gain the good promises but if we are wicked we gain the bad promises.
Ancient Of Days (Adam) : Seriously??? What is a covenant but an exchange of promises between us and God? His are conditional upon our faithfulness.
If God makes a promise to us, it is based on if we do our part. If we don't do our part we have no promise. I loved this.
No He doesn't need us, but if we can be an instrument in his hands, why would you refuse?
19:12 ...is...is that black face? 31:44 “Eliza, I would have you for my wife.” “You remind me of Johnny..” WAIT, WHAT?!? HER BROTHER?!? Did she forget a line?!? 48:08 Are they on a sight seeing tour? Seems like they should take a more direct route. 48:43 My great-great grandmother pulled a handcart to Utah. Boo Hoo. So, this movie... As an ex-Mormon, now an atheist, the Church sure polished its turd history. I held on to a belief because I wanted it to be true, not because I objectively examined history and human nature. Indoctrination and confirmation bias are powerful things to overcome.
When examined more closely, Church history, while complicated is beautiful and inspiring to those willing to see it for what it was, imperfect men and women coming to know God through life's experiences.
I'm sorry that you call a positive film like this indoctrination. If you don't think God exists, then I don't have anything to tell you other than I know He exists and knows us all as His children and loves us.
I’m an exmormon. This is a work of fiction and my heritage and I love it. Leaving the church shouldn’t mean you losing your sense of beauty.
@@nickforbrainsa cult started by a pedophile conman is beautiful to you?
The lds church spares no expense when it comes to indoctrination. I am pretty sure this movie was forced on every school aged kid in utah at the time. The best part is the guy getting tarred and feathered.
Bro your profile pic is fuuugly lol
You don't know what you are talking about. Please don't use this positive forum to stir up problems
@@carlsticht4757 I grew up in utah so yeah I do know what I am talking about. I went to a public school and was taken to see the legacy as part of a field trip that included a tour of temple Square. If you don't like a comment someone leaves then just skip it and fuck off.
So sad to read these remarks
Just a sad brother who's not sure of even himself--sad--but free agency--even in ignorance.