Have to admit when a friend gave me this DVD and I looked at the cover, was expecting this production to be just another cheaply done, unconvincing 'story of a church'. How wrong I was! From the first image on screen, I was drawn in and astounded at the strong production values and remained so till the very closing scene. I also kept expecting the performances to leave me wanting to hide my face in embarrassment - this didn't happen. It's rare to find such a professional cast and production crew allocated to a movie of this kind. Perhaps the DVD cover could do with a minor re design - just to give it a little more of an appealing appearance (even though it's quite good as is - ?) Perhaps some viewers not interested in the subject might find it a little bland at times but I was fascinated. Worth investing the time to watch.
Tommie-Amber Pirie as Ellen White, had me wanting to cry along with her during many powerful emotional scenes. Stephen MacDonald fully convinced as her supportive husband, in fact most all cast members were well above average. British born Cameraman Peter Moss (cameraman under D.O.P. Don McApline on 'Breaker Morant' '8o) captures all the stunning beauty of the rural county side and adds visual depth to the many dramatic scenes throughout this deeply moving drama. Moss has as director, the award winning Kyle Portbury who keeps the story moving with his strong guidance.
Canadian Composer Catalin Marin beautifully underscores the action and characters - the musical arranger is not listed on this IMDb page but all orchestrations are splendid. Some reviewers have made a point of noting what they felt was 'fiddling' by the producers - claiming they made alterations to the directors original work. Maybe this is so, maybe not?. But, are not the producers the folk who put up all the money and employ the director? So why these complaints? I imagine the result might have been the length of the finished movie - yes it was a little long but, it at least held your interest - so apart from being a little episodic (as is the nature of the story anyway) - it leaves me unsure just what these complaints are all about?
I had heard and read parts of this historical story over the years but never was it made so clear before this production. I'm not all that sure how much difference it makes but tend to agree that, according to the early calendar, Saturday is the seventh day of the week - this then is the true Sabath, making it the day we were meant to worship (not SUN-day) There are also of course, still some who continue to put prophetic dates on Christ's return, but why?...If his coming is told in scriptures as being: "Like a thief in the night" why would you need a circle on a calendar! Just be ready at ALL times.
