You know that feeling when you watch a historical drama and the actors look a little too "polished"? Like their teeth are too white for the 1850s? T.C. Christensen’s 17 Miracles didn't really have that problem. When you look at the cast of 17 miracles, you aren’t seeing a list of Hollywood A-listers. Instead, you're seeing a group of people who looked like they actually stepped out of a dusty, frozen trail in Wyoming. It’s gritty.
The movie tells the story of the Willie and Martin handcart companies. These were pioneers in 1856 who got caught in early, brutal winter storms while trekking to Utah. It’s a heavy subject. To make it work, the casting had to be spot-on. If the actors didn't feel authentic, the miracles they were portraying would have felt like cheap special effects. They didn't.
Jasen Wade as Levi Savage
Jasen Wade is basically the backbone of this film. He plays Levi Savage. If you know the history, Savage is the guy who famously warned the company not to leave Florence, Nebraska, so late in the season. He told them they’d face death and freezing cold. They voted to go anyway. And what did he do? He went with them.
Wade’s performance is subtle. He’s got this rugged, weary energy that anchors the whole movie. Before this, Jasen Wade wasn't exactly a household name, though he’d done some work in Cokeville Miracle and other faith-based projects. Honestly, he’s one of those actors who thrives in the "everyman" role. He doesn't play Savage as a superhero. He plays him as a man who is frustrated, terrified, and yet deeply committed to his people.
The Women of the Handcart Companies
While Wade is the lead, the cast of 17 miracles relies heavily on the ensemble of women. Their stories provide the emotional gut-punch.
Take Emily Wadley Wall, who plays Elizabeth Panting. Her performance in the "pie" scene—if you’ve seen the movie, you know exactly which one I mean—is heartbreaking. It’s about a mother’s desperation. Then you have Whitney Childers playing Margaret Dalglish. The scene where she refuses to leave her handcart, even when she’s exhausted and starving, is a standout moment of pure stubbornness and faith.
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And we can't forget Savannah Stevenson. She plays Sarah Franks. Savannah is a powerhouse—she’s actually quite well-known in the musical theater world, having played Glinda in Wicked on the West End. Seeing her go from a high-glamour stage role to a mud-caked, shivering pioneer is a testament to her range.
Supporting Faces You’ll Recognize
- Nathan Stevens plays Thomas Dobson. He brings a certain youthfulness to the tragedy that makes the stakes feel higher.
- Travis Eberhard plays Albert, providing some of the more grounded, physical acting in the camp scenes.
- Bruce Newbold appears as Brigham Young. It’s a brief but necessary role to provide the overhead context of the migration.
Why the Casting Worked (and Why It Almost Didn't)
Director T.C. Christensen is known for being meticulous. He didn't want people who looked like they spent all day in a gym. He wanted lean, tired-looking actors. During filming, the conditions were actually miserable. It was cold. It was wet. The actors were actually pulling those carts through the dirt.
That physical toll shows up on screen. When you see the cast of 17 miracles shivering, a lot of that wasn't acting. That’s the "secret sauce" of this movie. It’s a low-budget production compared to a Marvel flick, but it feels more "real" because the actors were physically immersed in the environment.
The Problem with Historical Accuracy in Casting
Some critics argue that Mormon cinema tends to cast people who look a bit too "idealized." In 17 Miracles, there was a conscious effort to avoid that, but it’s still a film meant to inspire. Because of that, the actors have to balance the grim reality of starvation with a sense of spiritual hope.
It’s a tough line to walk. If you’re too miserable, the audience turns off. If you’re too happy, you’re ignoring the fact that hundreds of people died. The chemistry between Jasen Wade and the child actors, in particular, helps bridge that gap. The kids in the movie—like Bailee Michelle Johnson—don't feel like "child actors." They feel like scared children.
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Deep Dive: The Real Levi Savage vs. Jasen Wade
It's worth noting that the real Levi Savage was only about 36 years old during the trek. Jasen Wade captured that age range perfectly. Sometimes historical movies cast 50-year-olds to play 30-year-olds because they want "gravitas." Here, the youth of the cast actually makes the tragedy worse. You realize these were people in the prime of their lives being broken by the elements.
Savage’s journals are the primary source for much of the film’s dialogue. Wade reportedly spent a lot of time internalizing those writings. He wasn't just memorizing lines; he was trying to understand the guilt of a man who knew a disaster was coming, couldn't stop it, and then had to help bury the bodies of the people who didn't listen to him. That’s heavy stuff for any actor.
What Most People Miss About the Ensemble
The "miracles" in the title aren't just about big, supernatural events. A lot of them are small, human moments. The cast of 17 miracles had to sell these tiny instances of grace.
For example, there’s a scene involving a "miraculous" find of food. The acting there has to be careful. If the actor reacts too wildly, it feels fake. If they underplay it, the audience misses the point. The actors playing the Danish immigrants, like those portraying the Nielsen family, added a layer of cultural authenticity that reminded viewers this wasn't just an American story. It was a global migration.
How to Track Down the Cast Today
If you're looking to see what the actors are up to now, you won't find them in the tabloids. Most of them have stayed in the independent or faith-based film circuits.
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- Jasen Wade: Still acting, often appearing in films by Deseret Book or other Utah-based production companies. He’s become a staple of the genre.
- Savannah Stevenson: Continues to be a massive star in the theater world. Follow her social media for West End updates.
- T.C. Christensen (Director): He’s the real "star" for many fans. He went on to make Ephraim’s Rescue, which is a sort of "sister film" to 17 Miracles, focusing on Ephraim Hanks.
Common Misconceptions About the Production
A lot of people think the movie was filmed on the actual trail in Wyoming. It wasn't. Much of it was filmed in Utah for logistical reasons. However, the cast still had to deal with genuine snow and freezing temperatures.
Another misconception is that the cast members are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While many are, Christensen has historically hired based on who fits the role and who can handle the physical demands of the shoot. This diversity in the background of the cast of 17 miracles actually helps the film feel less like a sermon and more like a human drama.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you want to dive deeper into the world of these actors and the history they portrayed, don't just stop at the credits.
- Read the Journals: The film is based on the journals of Levi Savage and others. Reading the primary sources helps you see where the actors took creative liberties and where they stuck to the literal truth.
- Watch Ephraim's Rescue: If you liked the cast of 17 miracles, many of the same crew and some of the same vibe carry over into this film. It’s a great double feature.
- Check the BYU Film Archives: Many interviews with the cast and crew about the making of the film are stored here or available on the DVD extras (if you still have a DVD player!).
- Visit the Sites: If you’re ever in Wyoming, visit Martin’s Cove. Standing where these people actually stood gives you a massive appreciation for what the actors were trying to simulate.
The cast didn't just show up to say lines. They were participating in a piece of cultural heritage. Whether you’re watching for the religious aspect or just the historical drama, the performances hold up because they were built on a foundation of grit and respect for the real people they represented. It’s not a perfect movie, but the heart provided by the actors is undeniable.
To get the most out of your next viewing, pay close attention to the background actors. Many of them are descendants of the actual pioneers in the handcart companies. That’s not just a cool trivia fact; it adds a layer of ancestral weight to the scenes that you simply can't manufacture with a bigger budget or more famous names.
Key Takeaways for Your Research
- Jasen Wade is the central figure, playing Levi Savage with historical nuance.
- The film focuses on the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies (1856).
- Savannah Stevenson brings high-caliber theatrical experience to her role as Sarah Franks.
- Authenticity was achieved through physical filming conditions rather than CGI.
- The movie is a gateway to exploring the actual journals of the pioneers.
To truly understand the impact of the film, look for the "making of" documentaries that detail the sub-zero filming days. This context changes how you view the performances entirely. Look into the journals of the real Sarah Franks or Elizabeth Panting to compare the cinematic version to the historical record. Use the official movie website or LDS film databases to track the current projects of the breakout stars like Jasen Wade.