A new L. Tom Perry Special Collections exhibit displays items from the 1940 film production "Brigham Young," giving people the opportunity to see what happens when Hollywood and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints work together.

The film portrays the trek of the early members of the church across the country to modern-day Utah, after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The curator of the special collection movie archives, James D'Arc, titled the exhibit, "The Fox and The Lion," referring to 20th Century Fox and Brigham Young as the lion.

D'Arc gathered film memorabilia such as original scripts, enlarged behind-the-scenes photographs and rare correspondence from the filmmakers to display. The DVD of the film also is playing in the corner of the exhibit for visitors to view portions of the film.

The exhibit is outside the HBLL auditorium. It opened July 1 and will run through August. In addition, an original print of the film will also be screened in celebration of Pioneer Day, Thursday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.

The church did not seek to create the film, but once the wheels of the movie started turning, the church took an active role in its production.

Elder James A. Widstoe of the Twelve Apostles acted as a technical advisor on the set of the film to ensure an accurate portrayal of the former church leaders and church history.

"Overall it is a very thematic and doctrinally correct documentation and presentation," said Richard Bennett, professor of church history and doctrine at BYU, who also uses the DVD in his class.

Bennett said some dramatic license is taken in the film, but mostly it is a respectful portrayal of church history.

Dean Jagger, the actor who portrays Brigham Young, later joined the church. This can be read about in a 1972 edition of the "Ensign" on display at the exhibit.

D'Arc said one reason the church was behind this movie is that it showed the church in a good light, something not done in the cinema before that time. Previous films, especially during the silent film era, gave the church a negative face because of the false portrayal of the polygamy issue.

Bennett said the filmmakers could have been mean-spirited, but instead showed the church in a positive way.

"I thank Darryl F. Zanuck for his sympathetic presentation of an immortal story," said Heber J. Grant, president of the church at the time of the film. "I can't say anything else then God bless you."

Richard Jones from Cody, Wyo., saw the film. He said it is fair and the exhibit is impressive.

Last year, the DVD of Brigham Young was released with help from the Special Collections, but D'Arc said seeing the film on the big screen is a special treat.

"There are very few archival film screening series left in the United States," said D'Arc. "It is a great opportunity for people to see classic films in the big-screen venue, with an audience, the way they were meant to be seen."



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Jul 2004