Sterling Van Wagenen Movies

The history of Mormonism in America comes into focus as the "Work and Glory" trilogy draws to a close. Returning from Savannah prosperous and married, Joshua Steed (Eric Johnson) learns just how fragile his newfound good fortune is when rumors and betrayals threaten to destroy his livelihood. Meanwhile, in Kirtland, the Prophet goes bankrupt while attempting to prevent creditors from claiming possession of the recently completed temple, prompting some to speculate that he is no longer fit to lead. But Ben Steed (Sam Hennings) has more faith in Joseph (Jonathan Scarfe) than ever before. Fearing that his family may be in danger, Ben decides that they should join the Prophet on his journey back to Missouri. Later, newly elected governor Boggs puts Joshua in charge of the militia formed to attack Far West, a growing Mormon settlement. As the battle lines are drawn, however, Joshua realizes that his family is in great danger. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Alan (Lukas Haas) is a typically streetwise Brooklyn teenager of the 1940s. Naomi (Vanessa Zaoui) is a French-Jewish refugee of Nazi oppression, recently moved into the apartment above Alan's. Ever since witnessing the murder of her father, Naomi has remained in a catatonic state. Alan's well-meaning efforts to help the girl at first seem to do more harm than good. But eventually the boy's sincerity and hitherto untapped compassion win out, and the two young people form a strong, unbreakable bond. Alan & Naomi is based on a novel by Myron Levoy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Adapted by Horton Foote from his own television play, A Trip to Bountiful is set in 1947 Houston. Forced by circumstances to live her loathsome son (John Heard) and daughter-in-law (Carlin Glynn), elderly Geraldine Page wants nothing more out of life than to return to her home town of Bountiful. Escaping from her family's clutches, Page boards a bus to Bountiful, where she makes the acquaintance of young Rebecca DeMornay. The two women immediately hit it off, and their trip is a most pleasant one. Eventually, sheriff Richard Bradford, ordered to find Page and bring her back to her family, catches up with the old woman just 12 miles from Bountiful. Feeling sorry for Page, Bradford permits her to complete her sentimental journey, even though he knows full well that Bountiful is now a ghost town of empty ruins and dilapidated shacks. It doesn't matter, though: Page sees Bountiful just as it was when she left it, and for the first time in years she is truly happy and at peace with herself. After several near-misses, Geraldine Page finally won an Academy Award for A Trip to Bountiful (incidentally, the original TV production, which still exists in kinescope form, starred Lillian Gish and Eva Marie Saint). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi