BRIGHAM CITY

Starring

Richard Dutcher
Matthew A. Brown
Wilford Brimley

Written, Produced and Directed by
Richard Dutcher

In March 2000, a new kind of "religious" film opened in the state of Utah. Richard Dutcher's film God's Army went on to open in 240 cities nationwide, taking in $2.6 million at the box office and becoming one of the top fifty independent films of the year. The dramatic story of a group of young Mormon missionaries in Los Angeles captured the imaginations of not only Mormons, but film critics across the nation.

Dutcher did not rest on his laurels, nor did he turn his back on the idea of creating more films with faith at their core. The 35-year old filmmaker and actor has already completed production of his next film, a dramatic murder mystery called Brigham City. The film reunites Dutcher with Matthew A. Brown, Dutcher's co-star in God's Army. This time they've traded in their nametags and scriptures for badges and guns.

Dutcher plays Sheriff Wes Clayton, a compassionate lawman and a Mormon bishop in a quiet Mormon community called Brigham. The tranquil town is shaken to the core when a woman from California is found murdered near her car. Dutcher's character, his young deputy (Matthew A. Brown), the town's retired sheriff (Wilford Brimley) and his shrewd secretary (Carrie Morgan) work with an FBI agent (Tayva Patch) sent to investigate. As a civil and spiritual leader in the frightened town, Dutcher's character must serve both justice and mercy to uncover the town's deepest secrets, find the murderer and keep Brigham from ripping itself apart.

Dutcher has taken his filmmaking to a new level in this gripping story of lost innocence, suspicion, atonement and forgiveness. While a murder mystery unfolds with Hitchcock-like intensity, the Mormonism that colors every aspect of life in Brigham is explored, primarily through the eyes of the curious non-Mormon FBI agent. With God's Army, Dutcher was credited with creating Mormon cinema. With Brigham City, Dutcher expands the genre he created.

Brigham City's production budget of just under one million dollars still places the film firmly in the camp of relatively low-budget independent films, though this budget is significantly higher than the $300,000 Dutcher had in creating God's Army. The additional money allowed Dutcher a more leisurely filming schedule and the ability to pay his extraordinary supporting cast.

Brigham City is slated for release on April 6, 2001 in over 70 markets nationwide. Excel Entertainment Group, Inc., the Salt Lake City-based company that distributed God's Army, will handle theatrical distribution of Brigham City.

This film has not yet been rated.

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