17 Miracles

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2011 American film

17 Miracles

Film poster

Directed by| T. C. Christensen
Written by|

* T. C. Christensen
* Laurie Vukich

Produced by|

* T. C. Christensen
* Ron Tanner

Starring|

* Jasen Wade
* Emily Wadley
* Tomas Kofod
* Nathan Mitchell
* Bruce Newbold
* Jason Celaya
* Natalie Blackman
* Travis Eberhard

Cinematography| T. C. Christensen
Edited by| Tanner Christensen
Music by| Steve Evans
Margo Watson

Production
company

Remember Films

Distributed by| Excel Entertainment Group

Release date

* June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)

Running time

| 102 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English

17 Miracles is a 2011 American historical adventure film directed by T. C. Christensen. It was released in 2011 by Excel Entertainment Group. Based on the experiences of members of the Willie Handcart Company of Mormon pioneers following their late-season start and subsequent winter journey to Salt Lake City in 1856, the film emphasizes miracles individual participants reported having during the journey.[1] The film was released in select theaters across the United States in the summer of 2011.

## Plot

[edit]

When Levi Savage, a former Mormon Battalion member and missionary to Asia, agrees to assist the Willie Handcart Company as they journey to Salt Lake City in 1856, the late start and onset of a bitter winter leaves the pioneers unprepared and suffering as they cross the plains of the Midwestern United States. Elizabeth Panting, a woman who has converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), escapes her drunken husband with her two little children, joining the handcart company. With the threat of winter starvation, illness, wolves, freezing river crossings, and death following them throughout their journey, Levi and others also witness the occurrences of divine miracles that enable them to complete their journey and arrive in Salt Lake City.[2]

## Reception

[edit]

Reviews of the film have been mixed. Critic Sean P. Means of The Salt Lake Tribune thought that Christensen's eye for striking cinematography gave the film a "glossy look" and Wade's portrayal of the hardy Levi Savage "held the film together." However, Means suggested that the film's structure as a series of vignettes was "wearying" and some of the low-budget effects were "distracting."[3][4]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "Church News: LDS Filmmaker Brings Stories of Early Saints to Life", churchofjesuschrist.org, LDS Church, 2011-07-21, archived from the original on 2024-07-10, retrieved 2011-10-19
2. ^ Synopsis for 17 Miracles, IMDb, retrieved 2011-10-19
3. ^ "Movie review: '17 Miracles' a history lesson for LDS faithful". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on 2018-05-19.
4. ^ Clark, Cody (Jun 2, 2011). "Handcart saga lumbers and creaks in spotty '17 Miracles'". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 16 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.

## References

[edit]

* Alexander, Caresa (23 August 2011), "17 Miracles", Church News
* Means, Sean P. (8 June 2011), ""17 Miracles" a big hit on Monday night", The Salt Lake Tribune
* Toone, Trent (2 June 2011), "New movie '17 Miracles' highlights handcart miracles", Deseret News, archived from the original on June 6, 2011
* Wright, Doug (3 June 2011), "'17 Miracles' is packed with emotion", Deseret News, archived from the original on June 5, 2011
* Wright, Doug (3 June 2011), Doug & the Movies: '17 Miracles', KSL-TV
* Company List, Martin Pioneer, Stories-of-the-Trail

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* 17 Miracles at IMDb