The Errand of Angels

The Errand of Angels is a 2008 American LDS cinema drama film[1] directed and produced by Christian Vuissa who also wrote the screenplay. Starring Erin Chambers, Rachel Emmers and Bettina Schwarz, the film is based on the experiences of Heidi Johnson while working as a missionary in Austria for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2]

The Errand of Angels
Theatrical release poster
Directed byChristian Vuissa
Produced byChristian Vuissa
Written byHeidi Johnson (story)
Christian Vuissa (screenplay)
StarringErin Chambers
Rachel Emmers
Ashley Munns
Vlasto Peyitch
Bettina Schwarz
Music byRobert Allen Elliott
CinematographyBrian Wilcox
Distributed byExcel Entertainment Group
Release date
August 22, 2008 (2008-08-22)
Running time
91 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetUS$160,000 est
Box office$195,184

Plot

Sister Rachel Taylor (Erin Chambers) of Boise, Idaho is an eager young missionary of the LDS Church who has been sent on an 18-month-long mission to Austria. Rachel finds herself having a hard time adjusting to her new cultural surroundings in the foreign country. Due to differences in opinion, she is also unable to get along with the companion missionary that was assigned to her by the church. Taking a note from the very teachings she is trying to spread, Rachel eventually learns to accept others' differences and get along peacefully with her companions even if they disagree on how to go about conducting the work for which they volunteered.

Reception

Release and box office performance

The Errand of Angels was screened at several locations before its theatrical release, starting on January 1, 2008. This included a screening at the Gloria Film Festival in West Valley City, Utah on July 31, 2008.[3] The film was released theatrically on August 22 to a limited number of theatres. Filmed on an estimated budget of US$160,000, The Errand of Angels was in theatrical release until October 10, 2008 during which time it earned $195,184.[1]

The film was released on DVD on December 2, 2008 for Region 1.[4] It was also shown on Brigham Young University's BYU Television channel on Thanksgiving Day in 2008.[4]

Critical response

Film critic Jeff Vice of the Salt Lake City-based Deseret News awarded The Errand of Angels two and a half stars in his review of the film. Vice praised the film as being "one of the more earnest and well-intentioned movies in recent memory" while, at the same, faulting it for being "preachy" and "a little talky and a little dry as a result".[5] Vice compared The Errand of Angels to The Best Two Years finding them similar in story and structure although believing that the former would be better had it contained some of the humor and light-heartedness found in the latter.[5]

Richard Propes of The Independent Critic called the film an "insightful, touching and funny story" and he commended the director claiming that "Vuissa paints a richly human portrait of Sister Taylor".[2] The film also received a very positive review in BYU Studies Quarterly which almost never reviews any films.[6]

Soundtrack
The Errand of Angels
Soundtrack album by
Robert Allen Elliott
ReleasedSeptember 5, 2008
Length43:45
LabelMirror Films

The Errand of Angels Soundtrack is the accompanying music album containing original music from the motion picture written and performed by Robert Allen Elliott. It was released on Mirror Films record label on September 5, 2008.

Track listing
  1. "As Sisters in Zion" (featuring Tiffany Fronk) (2:57)
  2. "Mission to Austria" (2:32)
  3. "The Rules" (0:58)
  4. "Goodbye Sonja" (0:52)
  5. "She's Nice" (1:01)
  6. "Resistance" (1:19)
  7. "Answered Prayer" (2:35)
  8. "Trying It Alone" (2:38)
  9. "Before the Storm" (2:20)
  10. "Salzburg" (1:00)
  11. "A Good Missionary" (4:08)
  12. "Hypocrite" (2:45)
  13. "Entrusted to Her Care" (3:29)
  14. "Back to Vienna" (4:03)
  15. "Farewell to a Friend" (2:30)
  16. "Rainy Day" (2:19)
  17. "Baptism" (3:52)
  18. "The Errand of Angels" (2:27)

See also

References
  1. The Errand of Angels, The Numbers. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  2. Propes, Richard. The Independent Critic - Errand of Angels Review, The Independent Critic. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  3. Gloria Film Festival 2008: Errand of Angels Archived 2012-04-21 at the Wayback Machine, gloriafilmfestival.bside.com. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  4. Cutchins, Dennis. 'The Errand of Angels' DVD review, MormonTimes.com, December 2, 2008. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  5. Vice, Jeff. Errand of Angels, The, Deseret News, August 21, 2008. Accessed September 17, 2009.
  6. BYU Studies Review
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