Click to Check Out These Films and More from the American Revolution through WWII.
Distinguished Historian Review on Serving for Justice
I wanted to share one of the distinguished historian reviews we have received. It is from US Army Colonel (Ret.) Robert Scherer Historian of the 12th Armored Division Association. We are honored he has shared his thoughts and kind words with us on the film. His review is below.
"Serving for Justice tells a story that needs to be told, and it is told well. The research that went into producing this film and the skill with which it was done are laudable. The initial ten minutes provides an excellent, albeit short history of the black experience up to WWII. I hope the producers will devote an entire movie to that experience in the future. The history of the men who enlisted or were inducted, trained, deployed, and fought in the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion is an American story that could be told of any of the 16 million personnel who wore our uniform in WWII. The fact that these men and others like them who happened to be African-American operated under a continual cloud of racism and yet performed just like any other American Soldier, some very good and some not as good, is what is remarkable. As the colloquialism says, they went into the fight with one hand tied behind their backs. The key part is they went into the fight! The producers have done an amazing job telling the story of the unit up to and including its participation in the Battle of the Bulge and the war crimes committed on the men we now know as the Wereth Eleven. The end story of the ultimate acknowledgement of the crime and the memorial erected and dedicated in their honor and memory is critical to our history. I highly recommend this film. It is historically accurate to my knowledge and very well done."
Robert W. Scherer
COL (Retired), US Army
Historian, 12th Armored Division Association
Board Member 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum
Gettysburg film Secures Deal with Janson Media
I am pleased to announce today that Gettysburg: The Final Measure of Devotion has secured a new global distribution deal with Janson Media and has debuted on Amazon Prime.
The 1-hour docudrama which I wrote and directed for the 150th battle anniversary in partnership with the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee features breathtaking, epic battle sequences from the largest Civil War battle reenactment ever staged –the 150th Gettysburg.
The event was a monumental undertaking and our cameras were there to capture the entire spectacle. We had camera people embedded in period uniform within both the Union and Confederate ranks. The viewer is transported back to 1863 within exclusive battle footage, which cannot be seen anywhere else.
The film’s storyline centers on Lincoln and the trials and tribulations he endured throughout the conflict and the war. Lincoln was frustrated that Union forces did not put away the Confederate Army when they had them on the ropes. He said, “We only had to close our fingers and the war would be over.”
The film features on screen commentary by Civil War theatrical director and friend, Ronald F, Maxwell (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals) who also narrated my Lincoln and Lee at Antietam film. Also appearing throughout is foremost Lincoln scholar, Allen Guelzo, who is the Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College and author of numerous books on the Civil War including Gettysburg: The Last Invasion winner of the Guggenheim-Lehrman Prize in Military History.
Gettysburg: The Final Measure of Devotion is a captivating production that we are proud to have in global distribution with Janson Media. Check it out when you have the opportunity.
The Reviews Are In Serving for Justice is a Winner on Prime Video
Serving for Justice: The Story of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion
Amidst the horrors and indignities of Jim Crow America, one million African Americans served their country to protect democracy abroad and expand it at home during World War II. This documentary tells of a combat unit struggling to succeed in battle, proving their full-citizenship when their lives seemed to matter less. Here is a story of fortitude, brotherhood, and faith in America's ideals.
Serving for Justice: The Story of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion was produced by Ebony Doughboys, and written and directed by Robert Child.
"Serving for Justice is about the history of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion. It covers a wide swath of black history from the early Jim Crow laws and how the African American experience unfolded in America and how it shaped the men who would go on to fight in World War II," said Director Robert Child.
"Originally produced for the American Embassy in Belgium, this project has grown from that original mission. To say it is timely would be quite an understatement but it goes to show that racial inequality has been with us a long while and has not been addressed properly. Perhaps now more voices are speaking up and positive change will come about. Time will tell. I am pleased, however that the work I have done in this area has continued to be noticed."
The film was produced by Ebony Doughboys, a group of African American living historians who are focused on telling the story of the outstanding record of service of African Americans during the First World War. Founded in 2014, the group is the offshoot of other African American re-enactors who for many years educated and enlightened the public on the involvement of African Americans in World War I. Today, the group forms an overarching structure for African American reenactors who hail from the east coast, the mid-west and the southern United States.
Ebony Doughboys statement:
"As a basis of our historical interpretation, we engage in the extensive research of the role of African Americans during this period by studying and reading personal accounts, archived sources, photographs and other source material. We examine photographs and original garments, accoutrements and weapons to gain a thorough understanding of the original Ebony Doughboys. We strive to reach a consistent, high level of authenticity in our appearance, realizing that as our knowledge grows, our standards for authenticity will also evolve. Members are expected to present themselves to the public with military deportment, an open-mindedness for learning, and a commitment to educating, dispelling myths, and building bridges of understanding."
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About Ghost Carrier:
Serving for Justice Debuts this Friday Nov. 6th on Amazon Prime
Synopsis:
Amidst the horrors and indignities of Jim Crow America, one million African Americans served their country to protect democracy abroad and expand it at home during World War II. The new documentary tells a unit struggling to succeed in battle, proving their full-citizenship when their lives seemed to matter less. Serving for Justice: The Story of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion is a story of fortitude, brotherhood, and faith in America's ideals.
I hope you can check out the new film, which will debut on Amazon Prime this Friday November 6th.
Serving for Justice Releasing in November
Just wrapped another project about African American soldiers I am very proud of. I was asked by Art Collins and Steve Jones of The Ebony Doughboys and the 5th Platoon reenacting unit to write and direct, Serving for Justice.
Synopsis: Amidst the horrors and indignities of Jim Crow America, one million African Americans served their country to protect democracy abroad and expand it at home during World War II. The new documentary tells a unit struggling to succeed in battle, proving their full-citizenship when their lives seemed to matter less. Serving for Justice: The Story of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion is a story of fortitude, brotherhood, and faith in America’s ideals.
I hope you can check out the new film, which should be available on all the major streaming platforms in November. I will add a link to this post and on the website when it becomes available.
Father Damien of Molokai is a character in Ghost Carrier
Serving for Justice Project Coming to Television
This project was originally produced for the American Embassy in Belgium but has grown from that original mission and now we are preparing a version for television. To say this project is timely would be quite an understatement but it goes to show that racial inequality has been with us a long while and has not been addressed properly. Perhaps now more voices are speaking up and positive change will come about. Time will tell. I am pleased, however that the work I have done in this area has continued to be noticed.
THE LOST ELEVEN was selected as a Memorial Day Pick by the Baltimore Public Library System alongside such notable works like UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. My coauthor, Denise George and I were very honored to have been selected. You can read about the selection HERE.
"This nearly forgotten story of eleven young African American GIs captured and massacred by the Nazis in 1944 is an important piece of our World War II history. Gripping, graphic and tragic, the story of the Wereth 11 is as fast paced as it is compelling and thought provoking."
I hope you will pick up a copy of the book if you have not done so already. It is an eye opening read and provides great context for what we are seeing unfold in America right now. Purchase HERE.
