A wagon train of settlers from Arkansas, headed to California, get permission from the Mormon leaders to stop for a spell near Cedar City, Utah. They’re grateful for the hospitality.
But the Mormons, with Jacob Samuelson (Jon Voight) as their spiritual leader, have intentions that are less than hospitable. After all, these are gentiles, sure to be up to no good.
So Jacob sends sons Micah and Jonathan (Trent Ford) to spy on the settlers. Instead of spying, Jonathan finds himself taming a supposedly untamable stallion, and winning the heart of young Emily Hudson, a pastor’s daughter, in the process.
The affection is mutual. So much so, that Jonathan is ready to leave his father’s church … and that’s before he learns that Jacob has plans to use the local Indians to help massacre all the members of the wagon train old enough to talk.
After all, it’s the only way to cleanse their souls so they one day might find a home in heaven.
Trent Ford as Jonathan Samuelson, a Mormon youth who finds himself attracted to Emily in September Dawn (2006)
Tamara Hope as Emily, spotting Jonathan Samuelson for the first time in September Dawn (2006)
Review:
Based on a true story — there’s a monument to those slain in the wagon train in Utah — this is a far better than average Western. The ending is also true to history; Mormon Indian agent John D. Lee was the only man convicted in relation to the massacre and was killed by a firing squad at the very spot where it took place.
John Voight turns in a fine performance as the Mormon’s religious leader, a man who saw his wife killed in the name of the religion and is prepared to send a son to the same fate is necessary to save his soul.
The Romeo and Juliet subplot is predictable from the minute Jonathan and Emily exchange glances in an early scene, but Tamara Hope’s performance in the role of Emily makes you care about what happens to the members of the wagon train.
Jon Voight as Jacob Samuelson, meeting the members of the wagon train in September Dawn (2006)
Taylor Handley as Micah Samuelson, Jonathan’s brother in September Dawn (2006)
Directed by:
Christopher Cain
Cast:
Trent Ford … Jonathan Samuelson
Tamara Hope … Emily Hudson
Jon Voight … Jacob Samuelson
Taylor Handley … Micah Samuelson
Joe Gries … John D. Lee
Terence Stamp … Brigham Young
Daniel Libman … The Rev. Hudson
Shaun Johnston … Capt. Fancher
(wagon train leader)
Lolita Davidovich … Nancy Dunlap
(woman in pants)
Hentley Ritter … Robert Humphries
Runtime: 110 min.
John Gries as John D. Lee, leader of the armed Mormons in September Dawn (2006)
Terence Stamp as Brigham Young, leader of the Mormon Church in September Dawn (2006)
Memorable lines:
Jacob Samuelson: “May these children of Satan go to hell. Amen.”
Robert Humphries: “No good will come of this … We’re leaving in a week, and your heart will still be here.”
Emily Hudson: “Well, maybe I will stay with my heart.”
Robert: “And be one of his many wives?”
Emily stomps off.
Robert: “At least you’ll have help with the dishes.”
Jacob Samuelson: “We … we above all other men have been honored to be the chosen instruments of death in carrying out this merciful deed. It’s our sacred duty. Through their deaths, these gentiles will attain eternal salvation. We should consider their deaths a virtuous act of grace and mercy. Brethren, we have a duty to perform. A duty we owe to God and to our church. The orders of those in authority is that all the immigrants must die.”
Jonathan Samuelson: “You can’t do this. You’ll be cursed.”
Micah Samuelson, splattered in blood: “I’m already cursed!”
Shaun Johnston as Capt. Fancher, the wagon train leader, with Micah Samuelson (Taylor Handley) in September Dawn (2006)
Lolita Davidovich as Nancy Dunlap, one of the leaders of the wagon train in September Dawn (2006)
Daniel Libman as the Rev. Hudson, Emily’s dad, in September Dawn (2006)
Trent Ford as Jonathan Samuelson, helping calm a difficult horse in September Dawn (2006)
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