Out of Liberty (2019)

Brandon Ray Olive is Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormon Church, arrested, charged with treason and thrown in jail in Liberty, Missouri, with five of his followers.

Jasen Wade is Samuel Tillery, the jailer responsible for keeping them safe, making sure they’re fed and making sure they don’t fall into the hands of the mobs that frequently gather outside.

Nell Rowland (Eric Wood) is among the leader of those mobs. His brother, a member of the Missouri Militia, died in the Battle of Crooked River. He blames Joseph Smith and would like nothing better than to see the men inside the jail lynched.

Joseph Smith is confident he and his colleagues will eventually be released, placing his faith in God.

The faith of the others inside the jail is tested. They try to escape by force on one occasion. After that fails, they begin trying to cut their way through the wall of the jail with tools smuggled to them by Porter Rockwell.

Sidney Rigdon, one of the Mormons, is ordered released by a judge after making a passionate plea in the court on his own behalf.

But that merely inflames the passions of those who want to make sure those jailed pay the price for their alleged crimes.

Jasen Wade as Samuel Tillery, taking his job of protecting the inmates seriously in Out of Liberty (2019)

Brandon Ray Olive as Joseph Smith, enjoying a brief reunion with wife Emma in Out of Liberty (2019)

Review:

Jasen Wade turns in a fine performance as the jailer determined to fulfill his mission, whatever the personal price.

Part of that determination stems from the fact that he was part of the U.S. retreat at the Battle of Bladensburg in the War of 1812, a battle that led to the burning of Washington, D.C., and prompted many to brand him a coward and traitor.

The problem with this fine-looking film with its pro-Mormon slant is that not nearly enough happens to sustain its running time of nearly two hours.

Viewers are treated to scene after scene of the prisoners agonizing in the small jail. Or debating their fate with Tillery.

Once the film escapes the jail … well, the impassioned courtroom plea that earns Sidney Rigdon his freedom isn’t very impressive.

And, think about it: If the mob really wanted to burn down the jail and kill those inside, wouldn’t they stop by when the armed jailer isn’t around?

Casey Elliott as Hyrum Smith, enjoying a rare chance to step outside the jail in Out of Liberty (2019)

Brock Roberts as Sidney Rigdon, pleading his case to Judge Turnham in Out of Liberty (2019)

Directed by:
Garrett Batty

Cast:
Jasen Wade … Samuel Tillery
Brandon Ray Olive … Joseph Smith
Casey Elliott … Hyrum Smith
Adam Johnson … Caleb Baldwin
Corbin Allred … Porter Rockwell
Morgan Gunter … Lyman Wright
Danny James … Alexander McRae
Brock Roberts … Sidney Rigdon
Jake Van Wagoner … Cyrus Daniels
Shawn Stevens … Judge Turnham
Eric Wood … Neil Rowland
Elizabeth Parson … Emma Smith
Cherie Julander … Mary Smith

Runtime: 134 min.

Morgan Gunter as Lyman Wright, worried about the guards who are supposed to get the Mormon inmates safely to Boone County in Out of Liberty (2019)

Morgan Gunter as Lyman Wright, worried about the guards who are supposed to get the Mormon inmates safely to Boone County in Out of Liberty (2019)

Memorable lines:

Samuel Tillery: “If half the charges against these men are true, they are the most scurrilous, degenerate men in all Missouri.”

Samuel Tillery, pulling his gun on an approaching prisoner: “You take one more step, you’ll make a Missouri hero out of me.”

Anti-Morman man: “How long you gonna keep protectin’ them, Sam?”
Samuel Tillery: “It’s four feet and rock and timber that’s proteting ’em. Has nothing to do with me.”

Neil Rowland: “These men are an infection on the state. It’s time to burn them out!”

Sheriff to the mob: “Why don’t you go home and give my jailer a break? Or I’ll throw you in there (this prison) and let the Mormons preach at you.”

Sidney Rigdon: “Sitting in a jail day after day isn’t a position any man should aspire to.”

Sam Tillery: “You church people think you’re the only ones who know suffering, who have seen an injustice … The sooner you stop preaching yourself above others, the sooner we’ll be closer to living side by side in peace.”

Danny James as Alexander McRae, frustrated by continued imprisonment in Out of Liberty (2019)

Eric Wood as Neil Rowland, leader of the anti-Mormon mobs that descend on the jail in Out of Liberty (2019)

Corbin Allred as Porter Rockwell, the man who tries to help Joseph Smith and his followers escape in Out of Liberty (2019)

Gabe Ericson as General Doniphan, doing his best to make sure the Mormons get fair treatment in Out of Liberty (2019)

Joseph Smith’s wife Emma (Elizabeth Parson) and Hyrum Smith’s wife Mary (Charie Julander) arrive at the jail to visit their husbands in Out of Liberty (2019)

Shawn Stevens as Judge Turnham, telling Tillery how public opinion can determine what’s considered justice in Out of Liberty (2019)