I enjoyed this film. I had heard about the Willie Handcart Company, particularly their great suffering and casualties as they crossed the plains to Utah. Their faith and perseverance are a great example to us. This movie captures their struggles in a way that made them come alive for me. I was touched by all the miraculous events that occurred during their journey.

However, the way the company leaders treated Levi Savage left a bad taste in my mouth. Levi Savage was a seasoned veteran from war and had seen a great deal of death and suffering. He warned the company about departing at the "lateness of the season". He warned them that they would encounter a treacherous winter and suffer many casualties with "bones strewn about the way". He advised that they wait until spring to depart west.

Despite his sincerity and experience, the company leaders dismissed his recommendation. To add insult to the injury, they publicly humiliated him twice by calling Levi to "repentance" and saying that he "was an opposer to the faith". (Of note, I admire how graciously Levi Savage handled the situation.)

Unfortunately, Levi Savage was vindicated. The company experienced food shortages and had to cut rations. They had to cross freezing rivers. Winter came with all its fury. Approximately 67 out of 500 people died. If the rescue company had arrived a day later, the number of deaths most likely would have soared. The circumstances proved that Levi Savage had been right!

Therefore, while I admire the courage of the Willie Handcart Company members, I am less sympathetic of the company leaders. They made a egregious mistake by not listening to Levi Savage, and 67 people paid that price with their lives.