The Trial of Porter Rockwell
Now Available on DVD
Movie Description:
When former Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs is shot by an unknown assailant, rumors quickly spread that the Mormons are responsible for the attempted assassination of the controversial politician. Never a friend of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Boggs had four years earlier issued the infamous extermination order that pronounced, "Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State."
Rumors gain new momentum when recently excommunicated member John C. Bennett implicates the Prophet Joseph Smith and Porter Rockwell in the crime. Though these accusations are vehemently denied by Joseph and his supporters, arrest warrants are issued for the Prophet and his protector. Joseph's warrant is dismissed; however, Porter Rockwell, not yet thirty, is arrested. After spending nine months in jail, Porter is finally brought to court for a grand-jury hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to indict him—a hurdle the state of Missouri must clear to proceed with a full criminal trial. This taut courtroom drama brings to life the friendship of Joseph and Porter and the original story behind the larger-than-life, legendary Porter Rockwell.
Review:
My husband likes to tell us that he's related to Orrin Porter Rockwell-early "Mormon" bad boy, so I couldn't resist the opportunity to review a film about him. Sadly, my husband was out of town when the chance to watch came up, but my daughter watched it with me and we will watch it as a family soon.
I knew that Porter and Joseph were close, but I just thought of Porter as a rough character who was the prophet's bodyguard. The film included a little bit of backstory that explained when and how they met. This shed light on the friendship that the two had.
The bulk of the film is about the trial against Porter Rockwell for the attempted murder of former Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs (don't go into it thinking it will be about much more of Porter's life). There was a lot of hatred against those associated with Joseph Smith, and it was fascinating to see witness after witness discredited.
I thought the film was well done and the acting was good. It was just under 43 minutes, and worth watching.
Oh, and my daughter pulled up the family tree and verified that my husband is, in fact, related to Porter Rockwell.
Trailer:
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