American Primevalhas propelled a controversial historical figure into the center of public discourse, Brigham Young, but it’s far from the first film to depict Young and his impact on the American West.American Primevalhas been released on Netflix as a tense, dramatic, and thrilling retelling of historical events. However, the series is first and foremost designed as a piece of entertaining media. Though it features several characters from history and events that shaped the landscape of the American West, it has taken liberties with the facts.
One of the characters who features prominently in the series, Brigham Young, was in fact the second prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly referred to as Mormons. However, the depiction of Brigham Young inAmerican Primevalhas been criticized by historians, both from the LDS church, and those who have no formal connection to the faith. Despite this, it doeshighlight a figure who undeniably had a great deal of influenceat a pivotal time in the history of the United States. And one which has beendepicted in various other films beyondAmerican Primeval.
4Brigham Young
A Heroic Tale Of Conquering The Wild West
First up, a film which provides a drastically different look at Bigham Young comes from a much earlier period, with the movie being released in 1940.Brigham Young, later retitled toBrigham Young, Frontiersman, paints the controversial young as an All-American hero. Evidently, the film does leave out considerable chunks of Young’s history, including the considerable oversight of Young’s practicing polygamy, but it does offer amuch more rounded picture of the man.
How American Primeval Became A Global Netflix Hit Despite The Western’s Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Score
Peter Berg’s gritty portrayal of the brutish Old West landscape in American Primeval has become one of the most popular new streaming series of 2025.
The movie was made as a way to draw comparisons between the religious injustice and persecution of Jews in Europe which occurred in World War II, and the persecution experienced by members of the Mormon faith in the 1830s, when they became the target of an extermination order in Missouri, and found themselves repeatedly attacked and displaced from their homes, leading to the long journey West. Obviously, this comparison is by no means perfect, and the film has numerous flaws, but it isworth watching to see a different side of YoungfromAmerican Primeval.
3The Avenging Angel
A Fictionalized Retelling Of The Danites
In 1995,The Avenging Angelis another film whichhighlighted a specific militant group who operated secretly within the Mormon faithfrom 1838 to about 1870. The organization, known as the Danites, carried out brutal and violent acts,including the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which is the scene depicted early inAmerican Primeval, and in both projects, Brigham Young is depicted as being someone who ordered these attacks, and behaved in a ruthless and bloodthirsty manner. However,The Avenging Angelfollows a fictional member of the group named Miles Utley.
The organization, known as the Danites, carried out brutal and violent acts, including the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Again, while the truth obviously varies from the depictions in these films,The Avenging Angelis a film that gathers together an impressive cast, includingCharlton Heston who plays Brigham Young. The film also paints members of the LDS church in a much more favorable light. However, the commitment to accuracy and authenticity is again somewhat dicey in this film.
2September Dawn
A Widely Panned Exploration Of The Mountain Meadows Massacre
In 2007, the awful brutality and inhumanity of the Mountain Meadows Massacre was once again used as a comparison to highlight senseless violence and terror acts in the wake of the September 11 attacks.September Dawnpulls together an impressive cast including Jon Voight, Terence Stamp, and Dean Cain to play important figures in the Mormon faith,including Stamp as Brigham Young. While some other titles imply Young’s connection to the Massacre, this film directly asserts that he was responsible, and following the events, sought to silence others who might implicate him.
Why American Primeval Is Dividing Critics & Audiences On Rotten Tomatoes So Much
The Western television miniseries American Primeval is proving to be quite divisive among critics and audiences, despite its popularity on Netflix.
However, the movie received several abysmal ratings, including rare 0-star scores from the likes of Roger Ebert, and also from Variety. The claims of thefilm are not based on facts, and appear to be decidedly biased against the Mormon faith. As a result, it’s a divisive, dark, and cruel depiction of one of the darkest days in United States history, reimagined in the form of an odd romance with bizarre and unfounded overtones.
1Joseph Smith: The Prophet Of The Restoration
The LDS Church’s Own Take On Brigham Young
Finally, to see an example of Brigham Young directly from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the church has produced a feature-length film depicting pivotal early moments in the formation and development of the faith. Admittedly,Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restorationis more directly concerned with depicting the founder of the faith, Joseph Smith, but itdoes introduce Brigham Youngapproximately halfway through the runtime. On top of this, as a production by the LDS church, it obviously contains a biased depiction, but it isworth watching to gain a more rounded picture of this controversial figure.
The result of these numerous depictions of Brigham Young do not individually constitute a perfect picture of the man, though combined, they help to paint a picture. Young is often seen as determined, bold, loud, forceful, and strong-willed. He is also an integral part of the history of the United States. WhileAmerican Primevalattempts to paint a picture of the man for the sake of entertainment, it may only scratch the surface of the actual facts concerning this controversial figure.
