REXBURG — Suspense, fighting, love and triumph, all good hallmarks of an adventure flick. If you add The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni to that, that’s “The Oath.”
Darin Scott, the writer, director, producer and the man who plays Moroni in the film, said along with the suspense of a traditional action movie, “The Oath” offers so much more.
“It is absolutely a beautiful story,” Scott said. “The messages behind it are goodness and virtue and righteousness and courage.”
Among his many hats Scott wore during the production of this movie, Scott was an actor; not just an actor, but the title character. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Scott has immense respect for the ancient American prophet, Moroni, whom he plays. Scott notes that it was not his intention to play the main character, but circumstances necessitated the role. Scott said he sought heavenly help in portraying Moroni.
“You have to just let that kind of power of redemption through Christ work in you to portray these types of otherworldly, unearthly characters,” Scott said. “And so, I channeled my knowledge from decades of study, my experience through the Holy Spirit, just kind of feeling these things.”
As Scott produced the film and acted in the film, he said it further built and strengthened his testimony of Jesus Christ.
“Just the joy and absolute spiritual bath that I was able to pass through in the writing of this and in the making of this is just incredible,” Scott said. “You can't help but strengthen one's convictions.”
Scott said that just as the movie was about to be shot, an investor in the film unexpectedly passed away, and as a result, the movie lost much of its funding. Thus, Scott had to write a new script in just two weeks. Scott acknowledged the hand of the Lord in making this process possible.
This film was not produced by the Church of Jesus Christ and is not officially affiliated with the Church. Unlike Church-produced films, “The Oath” is rated PG-13 for violence. In explaining the reason for the rating, Scott said that if one was to write the script word-for-word based on The Book of Mormon, the movie would unavoidably be rated R.
“A lot of depth and meaning and effort has gone into everything that's been done in this film, including the informed, creative liberties that were taken,” Scott said. “If you've seen ‘Lord of the Rings,’ if you've seen the Marvel films there's nothing in there that you're not going to see that you haven't already seen before.”
Scott emphasizes that people should not take him at his word.
“Don't do us any favors,” Scott said. “Watch the trailer. If you're excited, get your tickets.”
To watch the trailer, find theater locations, and get your tickets, visit www.oathmovie.com. The movie comes to the silver screen starting tomorrow, Dec. 8. Local screenings include Paramount 5 in Rexburg and the Regal Edwards Grand Teton in Ammon.