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September Dawn

Play trailer Poster for September Dawn R 2007 1h 50m History Drama Western Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
17% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 49% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1857 Capt. Alexander Fancher leads a wagon train of settlers across Utah to California. The Mormons eye the pioneers with suspicion when they stop in Mountain Meadows and demand that Fancher and his followers leave. Bishop Jacob Samuelson (Jon Voight) allows the travelers to stay for two weeks, and sends his son Jonathan (Trent Ford) to spy on them. What Jonathan does not know is that his father has dire plans for the innocent travelers, including the woman (Tamara Hope) Jonathan loves.
September Dawn

What to Know

Critics Consensus

With its jarring editing, dull love story, and silly dialogue, September Dawn turns a horrific historical event into a banal movie.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 12/03/2007
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. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle 08/31/2007
1/5
Muddled, sloppy, and obfuscating. Go to Full Review Mark Olsen Los Angeles Times 08/30/2007
2.5/5
The workmanlike craftsmanship of Cain's filmmaking almost (but never quite) smooths over the ham-fisted way he conceives the story. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/26/2020
Cain and Schutter concoct a faux star-crossed young lovers tale to personalize the mayhem. Go to Full Review Janos Gereben Entertainment Insiders 11/08/2007
0.5/4
Predictable, obvious, often silly. Go to Full Review Matthew Sorrento Film Threat 10/16/2007
1/5
Drama may benefit from attention to history, but history doesn't always make for good drama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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09/29/2014 141011: Movies like this always make me wonder what the truth really is. Tragic story of which the producers obviously had a position. Not sure what the true story is, but always saddened by films featuring human hate. It's ok but can't give it more than three. See more 07/17/2013 Looks like a high school project and thinks like a junior high school project. See more 06/03/2013 This movie portrays Mormons as if they were a biker gang on the streets of L.A. See more 06/02/2013 Quality film that all should see. Disturbing bit of history. See more 01/05/2013 Underrated. 13%! It may not be great, but it is quite good and reasonably accurate (aside from the fictional romance). See more 11/24/2012 I'm pleased that this dark chapter of the Mormon Church, and of westward expansion has been addressed in film, but it's a shame that the result is so sappy and ham-handed. See more Read all reviews
September Dawn

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Cast & Crew

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Christopher Cain

Director

Jon Voight

Bishop Jacob Samuelson

Trent Ford

Jonathan Samuelson

Tamara Hope

Emily Hudson

Jon Gries

Jon D. Lee

Lolita Davidovich

Nancy Dunlap

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September Dawn

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1857 Capt. Alexander Fancher leads a wagon train of settlers across Utah to California. The Mormons eye the pioneers with suspicion when they stop in Mountain Meadows and demand that Fancher and his followers leave. Bishop Jacob Samuelson (Jon Voight) allows the travelers to stay for two weeks, and sends his son Jonathan (Trent Ford) to spy on them. What Jonathan does not know is that his father has dire plans for the innocent travelers, including the woman (Tamara Hope) Jonathan loves.
Director
Christopher Cain
Producer
Scott Duthie, Christopher Cain, Kevin Matossian
Screenwriter
Christopher Cain, Carole Whang Schutter
Production Co
Voice Pictures Inc., September Dawn LLC
Rating
R (Violence)
Genre
History, Drama, Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 22, 2007, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.1M
Runtime
1h 50m