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On The Way To Somewhere Else
Now In Development Western History is full of surprises. On the Way To Somewhere Else is a documentary series that looks at the history of European sojourners in the Mormon west, 1834 ~ 1930. Most travelers to Utah during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially those from Europe, were curious about the state's community of Latter-Day Saints, with their "seventeen-strong families with only one man!" This collection of the writings of some of those European travelers broke new ground by ignoring the tradition of incorporating only the predictably benign views of English gentlemen. It includes such colorful perspectives towards the Mormons as those of an outraged Italian Catholic priest, and intrigues German prince, a liberated Frenchwoman, and a devout French convert, many of who had visits with the man they called the "Pope of Mormonism," Brigham Young. The European visitors encountered not only devout Mormons, but other lively characters of the American West, from fur traders to Indians to soldiers. On the Way To Somewhere Else captures almost one hundred years of varied perceptions, revealing an unexpected glimpse into the growth of Utah and the political evolution of Mormonism. MORE INFORMATION
On the Way To Somewhere Else was inspired by the book of the same title by historian Michael W. Homer. Michael is a descendant of European converts from the Waldensian valleys of northern Italy who were among the first immigrants to Utah. The film makes use of thousand of archival photographs, paintings, and newspaper images. The film combines images with modern cinematography, music and narration by the book's author Michael W. Homer, antidotes and insights from authors and historians and actors reading contemporary quotes from historical figures.
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