Producer Scott Swofford describes the sequel "The Work and the Glory: American Zion" as a considerably "darker" movie than its predecessor.

"I think a few people are going to be surprised," Swofford said during an interview in his Murray office. "This is not a happy period of history that's being shown in the movie. Bad things happened to a lot of good people."

Still, Swofford said he was a bit taken aback when the "American Zion" received a PG-13 rating for "some violence."

He conceded, however, that there are a few gunbattles in the movie, as well as a scene in which a major character is tarred-and-feathered. "Violence in a film is taken more gravely by the (Motion Picture Association of America's ratings board) when that violence is committed against a character which the audience has come to know and love."

"American Zion," opening today, continues the story of the fictional Steed family, who are witnesses to crucial events in early LDS history. The film is based on the second of LDS general authority Gerald N. Lund's best-selling series of Mormon-themed historical novels, and features founding prophet Joseph Smith as a prominent character.

This is not the first of the Mormon-movie genre to receive a PG-13 rating. Richard Dutcher's 2001 mystery-thriller "Brigham City" also got a PG-13, as did the recent World War II drama "Saints and Soldiers."

Swofford admits that the filmmakers are "taking a chance here. There are some faithful church members, and some other Utah audiences, who won't go see a PG-13 film. But we've done our best to keep true to the spirit of the books and still be truthful to the time. We haven't done anything to compromise the material. We haven't tried to be exploitative or edgy."

Swofford, who also produced the official LDS Church films "The Testaments" and "Legacy," said the content in "American Zion" isn't that much more extreme. "I know that parents who felt fine with those films can feel confident in bringing their kids to see this one."

Actor Andrew Bowen, who plays Brigham Young in the film, said he believes "American Zion" will appeal to those outside of the obvious target demographic. "Our movie looks at a unique piece of American history, one that hasn't been told on film before. And its themes of man's inhumanity to man are universal.

"Also, I hope I'm not saying too much here, but the second film ends with a cliffhanger. I dare anyone who sees it to tell me they don't want to see the third movie — to find out what happens next." ("The Work and the Glory: American Zion" and the third film in the series, "The Work and the Glory: A House Divided," were filmed back-to-back earlier this year.)