Not all LDS historic movies should be embraced equally. The writers claim their script is based on history, but they severely minimize or outright ignore the most significant events and treasured outcomes of this crucible of growth for the prophet of the restoration. Joseph Smith is poorly cast and is without any significant leadership, spiritual or otherwise. There is a complete absence of spiritual comradery or priesthood dignity amongst those who are supposed to portray the leadership of the church. Where is the signing of hymns? Where is the power of the significant revelations between the Lord and his prophet? Where is Joseph rising in mighty authority to rebuke the guards? Instead, the entire storyline reduces these men to average prisoners who are obsessed to digging or strategizing their escape. In spite of some excellent acting by Corbin Allred as Porter Rockwell, Jason wade as jailer Sam Tillery and Brock Roberts as Sidney Rigdon, this movie misses the mark or is downright misleading about the significance of Liberty Jail in our history.
19 Reviews
A little slow
owamibuy22 April 2020
We found it a bit slow and hard to stay interested in. It felt the scenes were going in circles. Boring to only look at the small jail set most is the time. It might've been better if they showed some of the events that got them to Liberty jail and help people appreciate the injustices the Saints suffered. Sam Tillery was cast better than them all.
I'm Not Sure It's Good, But I Liked It
boblipton29 January 2024
It's 1839. In the small town of Liberty, Missouri, Joseph Smith and several of his Saints are in the jail. They've fled Illinois to escape the mobs. Now in Missouri, there are lynch mobs being held off as they await trial for.... well, it's not clear. The judge, and even the governor, we are told, know they're innocent of whatever it is, but fear *cough* *cough* public opinion. Sheriff Jasen Wade is in charge of getting them to the trial, getting them back to jail, and standing guard over them at all times.
It's a talk festival, with cinematographer Jeremy Prusso keeping the camera moving and editor Connor O'Malley keeping the clips short in order to maintain visual interest. The night scenes are the most interesting, men standing in front of a black background, almost stage-like. This being a western, Wade keeps his delivery short and clipped, with sentences to match. More of interest as a retelling of history and law than what you might expect from a western, I enjoyed it but consider that more a matter of personal quirks than of actually interesting film making.
It's a talk festival, with cinematographer Jeremy Prusso keeping the camera moving and editor Connor O'Malley keeping the clips short in order to maintain visual interest. The night scenes are the most interesting, men standing in front of a black background, almost stage-like. This being a western, Wade keeps his delivery short and clipped, with sentences to match. More of interest as a retelling of history and law than what you might expect from a western, I enjoyed it but consider that more a matter of personal quirks than of actually interesting film making.
Amateur Hour
jimlambrick9 October 2019
It didn't work for me. It seemed much more like a student film than something you'd see in a commercial theater. Not much charisma or chemistry between the actors and maybe two different sets to distract you from that. Some will probably be interested enough in the story to compensate for its shortcomings but I think for most, this will be a disappointment.
This was a religious prison drama at best, not a western movie...
paul_haakonsen3 December 2019
Right, well I was expecting to see a proper western movie here, but instead I was served a movie about a group of imprisoned mormons and the hardships of the people that want to see them brought to justice.
Yeah, not really exactly what I had imagined this movie to be. And I managed to endure 40 minutes of the ordeal that is "Out of Liberty" before I was Out of Patience, and simply called it quits. And there is no chance of me returning to finish the rest of this movie.
Now, it should be said that the movie does have a good production value to it, and it definitely has the era feel to it, being gritty and somewhat rough. But the movie just failed utterly on its script and storyline. I was far from being entertained by what transpired on the screen, both in terms of what took place and the characters participating in said boring events.
I am sure that there is an audience out there for a movie such as this. I just wasn't in that group. Sure, the movie may be set within the confines of what constitutes a western movie, but this was hardly a western movie in the classic (or generic) meaning of the word "western".
And the whole aspect of religion that simmered beneath the surface of the movie didn't really do an ounce of helping to win me over either.
My rating of "Out of Liberty" is a mere three out of ten stars. This was a massive swing and a miss from director Garrett Batty as in managing to entertain me. I had expected this to be a western movie, not a slow paced and rather mundane prison drama.
Yeah, not really exactly what I had imagined this movie to be. And I managed to endure 40 minutes of the ordeal that is "Out of Liberty" before I was Out of Patience, and simply called it quits. And there is no chance of me returning to finish the rest of this movie.
Now, it should be said that the movie does have a good production value to it, and it definitely has the era feel to it, being gritty and somewhat rough. But the movie just failed utterly on its script and storyline. I was far from being entertained by what transpired on the screen, both in terms of what took place and the characters participating in said boring events.
I am sure that there is an audience out there for a movie such as this. I just wasn't in that group. Sure, the movie may be set within the confines of what constitutes a western movie, but this was hardly a western movie in the classic (or generic) meaning of the word "western".
And the whole aspect of religion that simmered beneath the surface of the movie didn't really do an ounce of helping to win me over either.
My rating of "Out of Liberty" is a mere three out of ten stars. This was a massive swing and a miss from director Garrett Batty as in managing to entertain me. I had expected this to be a western movie, not a slow paced and rather mundane prison drama.
Don't waste your time
lesleyre-13-39638114 January 2020
Depressing movie - which was expected with the story- but poorly cast (except for Jasen Wade). Joseph did not exhibit any righteousness or faithfulness and prayed so little that I can't remember that scene. It was well-filmed and costumes and set were pleasing. It did not do justice to the actual facts of this despicable story, which had historical evidence available had the filmmakers bothered to use such resources.
Is it April yet?
athies22 June 2020
What a lawyer... That is unlikely.
This guy is a general?!
He's a confident man to let them all up at once. And reading a book too.
Pull himself together? With what? Iron will and dirty socks for medicine?
Good ole urine bucket humor.
They should have worked this out before hand instead of looking suspicious taking so long.
A nice comfortable log pillow.
He doesn't need to tell them to "here, take it". They've got nothing else to do.
No water for everyone?
I'll give him "don't tell anyone I was here".
That's a bold thing to say.
They've gotten pretty far.
This movie is too slow paced.
I don't think that was a particularly amazing oration, but it was heartfelt.
This guy is a general?!
He's a confident man to let them all up at once. And reading a book too.
Pull himself together? With what? Iron will and dirty socks for medicine?
Good ole urine bucket humor.
They should have worked this out before hand instead of looking suspicious taking so long.
A nice comfortable log pillow.
He doesn't need to tell them to "here, take it". They've got nothing else to do.
No water for everyone?
I'll give him "don't tell anyone I was here".
That's a bold thing to say.
They've gotten pretty far.
This movie is too slow paced.
I don't think that was a particularly amazing oration, but it was heartfelt.
Mormon Revisionism All Dressed Up As Cinema
WatchingInDarkness31 December 2021
The film makes history almost unrecognizable by the selective focus on the imprisonment of Joseph Smith and others after the violent conflict with the nearby residents AND the Missouri Militia. In doing so, the viewer is left to hear Mormon apologist speeches, turgidly delivered in stiff tableaus, which sell just fine to the faithful in LDS viewings, but are painfully weak by any objective film standards.
Without due accounting for the anti-democratic actions of Smith that led to his arrest and those who destroyed a newspaper printing office at his direction, they plot pleads the LDS case of their founder solely as martyr rather than the less flattering depiction of many who read the accounts and find his motives less than noble.
If Catholics had attempted to portray some pushback against the Crusades as oppression in a similar film, then critics would be merciless in their derision of such preachy, bad "entertainment," but this movie will get a pass out of both pity and embarrassment from those who either don't know enough history to realize it's a (bad) whitewash, or misguidedly confuse it as part of a larger social justice movement to highlist alleged past wrongs.
Unsurprisingly, the movie is conveniently tightly focused on men as the principals and thereby avoids realistic relationships with women, much less any women modern viewers would find appealing. I have Mormon friends but even they would have to admit this is just plain awful.
Without due accounting for the anti-democratic actions of Smith that led to his arrest and those who destroyed a newspaper printing office at his direction, they plot pleads the LDS case of their founder solely as martyr rather than the less flattering depiction of many who read the accounts and find his motives less than noble.
If Catholics had attempted to portray some pushback against the Crusades as oppression in a similar film, then critics would be merciless in their derision of such preachy, bad "entertainment," but this movie will get a pass out of both pity and embarrassment from those who either don't know enough history to realize it's a (bad) whitewash, or misguidedly confuse it as part of a larger social justice movement to highlist alleged past wrongs.
Unsurprisingly, the movie is conveniently tightly focused on men as the principals and thereby avoids realistic relationships with women, much less any women modern viewers would find appealing. I have Mormon friends but even they would have to admit this is just plain awful.
Decent drama
billybobstrunk17 September 2019
LDS Western with heart
trinaboice14 September 2019
IN A NUTSHELL:
The movie begins in 1838 right after Joseph Smith and other religious leaders surrender to the Missouri Militia under threat of extermination and end up in Liberty Jail, a very ironic name for a prison with horrible conditions. Joseph and several other leaders in the church were held there for 155 days while members of the church outside the prison walls were terrorized by mobs. The film is based on actual recorded accounts.
Those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will most likely be unfamiliar with this part of church history and the people involved in the telling of it. It's not the preachy movie you might be expecting but feels more like a Western with surprising heart.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids might be bored quickly. So will some adults. Shooting with guns. Talk of mobs eager to kill people
THEMES: Blinded by hate Justice "The loudest voice is that of public opinion." - Shawn Stevens Obeying the law vs. following your heart Perspective
THINGS I LIKED: Some beautifully artistic details with camera work by Jeremy Prusso and direction by Garrett Batty. I love Jasen Wade in any movie he does. He's always the best actor in any cast. In this film, he plays Samuel Tiller, the jailer, and it is from his point of view the story is uniquely told. You've probably seen him in movies like 17 MIRACLES, SAINTS AND SOLDIERS: AIRBORNE CREED, THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE, although he has been in many more LDS films. I appreciated Corbin Allred's accurate portrayal of Porter Rockwell's high-pitched voice. Most people will recognize him from his roles in the movies THE SARATOV APPROACH and SAINTS and SOLDIERs AIRBORNE CREED. Did you know he was actually in the movie ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS ? The scene when the wives visited their husbands in Liberty Jail was very touching and even got me teary-eyed. I recently heard Carrie Wrigley speak and sing at BYU Education Week, so it was fun to see her in this movie, even for just a brief moment. The music is absolutely lovely, scored by Robert Allen Elliott. I always love it when information is shared with the audience at the end of the movie to explain what happened next with the real people portrayed in the film. I only wish more had been offered with this movie. The cast includes Larry Bagby, Adam Johnson, Corbin Allred, Brandon Ray Olive, Shawn Stevens, Brock Roberts, Cyrus Daniels, Eric Wood, Morgan Gunter, Carrie Wrigley, and the fantastic Jasen Wade. Emily Jacobson did a nice job with costume design. Sometimes period pieces can look more like costumes than authentic clothing to set the tone. I noticed that a Kickstarter fund was used to get this movie going. Isn't it amazing what can be done when we all pitch in? If you're a fan of GENTRI: The Gentlemen Trio, you'll love seeing Casey Elliott in the movie as Hyrum Smith. Sidney Rigdon is portrayed as a self-serving coward. In fact, many of these men held captive in Liberty Jail are not represented in the best light, like most LDS films usually do. Instead, the movie captures their lowest moments as they struggle with their faith. That is what makes this movie powerful, different, and insightful.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Brandon Ray Olive did a fine job as Joseph Smith, although he looks less like the Mormon prophet than I've ever seen in any other movie about him. He is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, but I'm told he was very careful to portray Joseph with respect and kindness. You might have seen him before in LOGAN LUCKY, NCIS, CSI, or HBO's MOSAIC. Some movie-goers will hope for lots of action and may be disappointed that it's one of those "talking" movies. Lots of disgusting and humorous talk and display of feces. Some of the acting isn't very good. .
Those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will most likely be unfamiliar with this part of church history and the people involved in the telling of it. It's not the preachy movie you might be expecting but feels more like a Western with surprising heart.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids might be bored quickly. So will some adults. Shooting with guns. Talk of mobs eager to kill people
THEMES: Blinded by hate Justice "The loudest voice is that of public opinion." - Shawn Stevens Obeying the law vs. following your heart Perspective
THINGS I LIKED: Some beautifully artistic details with camera work by Jeremy Prusso and direction by Garrett Batty. I love Jasen Wade in any movie he does. He's always the best actor in any cast. In this film, he plays Samuel Tiller, the jailer, and it is from his point of view the story is uniquely told. You've probably seen him in movies like 17 MIRACLES, SAINTS AND SOLDIERS: AIRBORNE CREED, THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE, although he has been in many more LDS films. I appreciated Corbin Allred's accurate portrayal of Porter Rockwell's high-pitched voice. Most people will recognize him from his roles in the movies THE SARATOV APPROACH and SAINTS and SOLDIERs AIRBORNE CREED. Did you know he was actually in the movie ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS ? The scene when the wives visited their husbands in Liberty Jail was very touching and even got me teary-eyed. I recently heard Carrie Wrigley speak and sing at BYU Education Week, so it was fun to see her in this movie, even for just a brief moment. The music is absolutely lovely, scored by Robert Allen Elliott. I always love it when information is shared with the audience at the end of the movie to explain what happened next with the real people portrayed in the film. I only wish more had been offered with this movie. The cast includes Larry Bagby, Adam Johnson, Corbin Allred, Brandon Ray Olive, Shawn Stevens, Brock Roberts, Cyrus Daniels, Eric Wood, Morgan Gunter, Carrie Wrigley, and the fantastic Jasen Wade. Emily Jacobson did a nice job with costume design. Sometimes period pieces can look more like costumes than authentic clothing to set the tone. I noticed that a Kickstarter fund was used to get this movie going. Isn't it amazing what can be done when we all pitch in? If you're a fan of GENTRI: The Gentlemen Trio, you'll love seeing Casey Elliott in the movie as Hyrum Smith. Sidney Rigdon is portrayed as a self-serving coward. In fact, many of these men held captive in Liberty Jail are not represented in the best light, like most LDS films usually do. Instead, the movie captures their lowest moments as they struggle with their faith. That is what makes this movie powerful, different, and insightful.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Brandon Ray Olive did a fine job as Joseph Smith, although he looks less like the Mormon prophet than I've ever seen in any other movie about him. He is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, but I'm told he was very careful to portray Joseph with respect and kindness. You might have seen him before in LOGAN LUCKY, NCIS, CSI, or HBO's MOSAIC. Some movie-goers will hope for lots of action and may be disappointed that it's one of those "talking" movies. Lots of disgusting and humorous talk and display of feces. Some of the acting isn't very good. .
How is this Rated Worse than Ephraim's Rescue?
danieljdj-1186317 November 2021
This is a well-produced, decently acted, and consistent movie. That's not the highest praise, but it's more than most faith-based movies have. It's also nice that it takes a unique look at the story, even if it bends the history (but that's just something that has to happen to make a compelling film). All in all, this is among the best LDS films, though certainly not the best.
Just because there isn't a lot of action doesn't mean it's not a western
cowboywayfest7 March 2021
This is a fair drama. Some of the acting is excellent. And yes some of the script is weak, especially it its depiction of Joseph Smith. I agree with some of the reviewers that the Smith character is too weak and really doesn't appear to be the group leader much less charismatic.
But this doesn't make the overall movie Bad. It's a Drama not an action movie.
The weakest part is it's a good 30 to 40 minutes into the movie before they tell you Exactly why the LDS men are in prison. Makes the first part confusing.
In regards to some reviewer's accusations that the only good reviews are by "Mormons," well I am not LDS. I do have many friends who are so I do have some insight into their culture. The movie does a fair job of depicting that. And overall it IS a significant event in history of the US.
In regards to some reviewer's accusations that the only good reviews are by "Mormons," well I am not LDS. I do have many friends who are so I do have some insight into their culture. The movie does a fair job of depicting that. And overall it IS a significant event in history of the US.
A compelling story, powerfully presented
Bruce_Young29 September 2019
"Out of Liberty" tells the story of the men incarcerated in Liberty Jail in the 1830s but brilliantly does so from the point of view of the jailer, a good, even idealistic man whose view of the inmates gradually changes. This surprising choice in point of view makes this more than a retelling of a story you may have heard before and highlights important themes that, again, go beyond the ones usually associated with this historical episode. At issue, for instance, are the relation between truth and shifting popular opinion, the blinding effect even of an understandable desire for revenge, and the pressures that test personal integrity.
The film's story is familiar to Latter-day Saints (their first leader, Joseph Smith, figures in the story) but deserves to be more widely known. Even most Latter-day Saints know the story only partially and superficially. This film brings to life the characters, with their flaws and complex motives, adds surprising but historically accurate detail, and raises issues of current importance, including our tendency to reduce everyone to a villain or a victim.
Given the subject matter, this is a serious film. The harsh conditions of the jail are relieved by some outdoor moments, by the visits (brief but moving) of the inmates' wives, and by a few humorous bits. Though some characters come close to being villains, no one is painted as completely good or bad. We even come away with some understanding of and empathy for the persecutors and a sense of the inmates' flawed humanity.
Given the focus on the jailer, background information is supplied subtly and gradually, and our sense of the characters develops in a similar way. Joseph Smith (beautifully portrayed by Brandon Ray Olive) is presented sympathetically but humanly--and the film illuminates elements of his character that may be unfamiliar to many but that are supported by the historical record. Corbin Allred is a delightful Porter Rockwell, and Brock Roberts is an agonized Sidney Rigdon. All the acting is good, but the best performance, not surprisingly, presents the central character: Samuel Tillery, the jailer, played by Jasen Wade as a man of rock solid integrity and real but restrained compassion, but with limited and growing understanding. He reminded me, in some respects, of Gary Cooper.
"Out of Liberty" is powerful and thought provoking, with first-rate acting and cinematography. If you're interested in a moving, stimulating, and beautifully crafted film, please see this one!
The film's story is familiar to Latter-day Saints (their first leader, Joseph Smith, figures in the story) but deserves to be more widely known. Even most Latter-day Saints know the story only partially and superficially. This film brings to life the characters, with their flaws and complex motives, adds surprising but historically accurate detail, and raises issues of current importance, including our tendency to reduce everyone to a villain or a victim.
Given the subject matter, this is a serious film. The harsh conditions of the jail are relieved by some outdoor moments, by the visits (brief but moving) of the inmates' wives, and by a few humorous bits. Though some characters come close to being villains, no one is painted as completely good or bad. We even come away with some understanding of and empathy for the persecutors and a sense of the inmates' flawed humanity.
Given the focus on the jailer, background information is supplied subtly and gradually, and our sense of the characters develops in a similar way. Joseph Smith (beautifully portrayed by Brandon Ray Olive) is presented sympathetically but humanly--and the film illuminates elements of his character that may be unfamiliar to many but that are supported by the historical record. Corbin Allred is a delightful Porter Rockwell, and Brock Roberts is an agonized Sidney Rigdon. All the acting is good, but the best performance, not surprisingly, presents the central character: Samuel Tillery, the jailer, played by Jasen Wade as a man of rock solid integrity and real but restrained compassion, but with limited and growing understanding. He reminded me, in some respects, of Gary Cooper.
"Out of Liberty" is powerful and thought provoking, with first-rate acting and cinematography. If you're interested in a moving, stimulating, and beautifully crafted film, please see this one!
Awesome
positiveprogressionsllc18 September 2019
Enjoyed it and made you think
claytondeet18 September 2019
Enjoyed the movie...it had a good mix of excitement, parts that made you laugh, and parts that made you think. On the one hand it was a fun western movie to watch, with what you would expect from a western movie; and on the other hand I felt that I really learned some things about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail that I never knew about before. On a different level, it made you realize that the world is made up of unique people and you often just have to make the best you can out of any situation. Really thought the jailer, Tillery, did a great job of trying to balance a lot of aspects of his life and was interesting watching him go through the process and deal with all the different groups he had to.
Great western movie wit a moral twist
kcarter-1720 September 2019
Unlike some religious movies this movie really follows the jailer who is responsible for taking care of the innocent people in his jail. He struggles based on what he's heard versus what he knows. The mobs have a distinct influence and want him to turn his captives over to them for punishment. The jailer stands up to the mob at the risk of his personal life. This movie will keep you entertained, has a great western flavor and ultimately leaves you with a trust and faith in people.
Great storytelling
torreyharmon20 September 2019
This film smartly tells of the experiences of Joseph Smith and his associates when they were imprisoned in Liberty Jail on false charges. Regardless of how much you know about the history of Joseph Smith or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the pioneer era of the United States in the 1800s, this is an intriguing and powerful movie experience. It's a story of courage, faith, compassion, and perseverance. It also shows how the heart of a person can change for good. Highly recommended.
A definite must see!!
staceygaile13 October 2019
AMAZING movie!! It is captivating, intriguing, heart-wrenching....I laughed a few times, cried a few times....very well made. A great western movie, done with highly talented actors. Well made movie on a true event, and also showing the humanity of people in a tough situation. LOVED IT! A definite 5-star must see!
Thrilling, heartwarming, and superbly produced!
JBThackery21 September 2019
This film is based on historic fact. However, it is also one of the finest productions I have ever seen. The photography, directing, acting, and overall cohesiveness keep you glued to the screen. But it is also important for viewers to know that these historic events can happen again if we are not aware of their potentiality. All-around superb film. I cannot praise it highly enough. This is cinematography at its best. This is America and Art superbly blended into one.
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