Archive for 2020
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."
Ghost Carrier an Alternative History Tale on Audiobook
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.
Big War Box Set in Amazon Countdown Deal Tomorrow Feb 23rd
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| Military History Must Have |
PURCHASE HERE
A compelling collection of nonfiction military history titles by Robert Child. several full books in all with photographs and detailed maps. This is a keepsake multi-volume set you want to have on your digital bookshelf.
It includes:
#1) Washington's Crossing: America's First D-Day
A ragged Continental army has now put an icy river between themselves and the pursing British army. The men in blue and buff uniforms have known nothing but defeat and had once again made a narrow escape while the Congress at Philadelphia reflecting no confidence in their troops prepare to evacuate to Baltimore.
Washington’s besieged men reflect the state of a nation weary of war and a cause on the brink of extinction. They are an army in waiting - waiting for ammunition, blankets and reinforcements. But others, nearly half, are simply waiting for their enlistments to be up on January 1, 1777. Within days Washington would have no men with which to fight and the cause and the dream of independence would be over. Against this backdrop George Washington decides to go on the offensive.
#2) Rush On Boys: Hamilton at War
As the story opens, young Alexander Hamilton marches with the Continentals at Fort Lee, New Jersey. He is frustrated by being relegated to the end of the line and missing out on the action. He desperately wants to make a name for himself. His fortunes soon change at the Raritan River when the vanguard of British infantry catches up to Washington's army.
Hamilton, and his cannons are the only defense line available to prevent the army from being destroyed. Successfully protecting the Continental army and allowing their escape with his rear-guard action, Hamilton catches the attention of George Washington.
The future President asks the twenty-year-old Hamilton to join his staff. Sent on one daring mission after another Hamilton s stature grows, creating great political mistrust among his rivals. When ambition overtakes Hamilton, he threatens to overthrow Congress, which he sees as corrupt. Challenging a Congressman to a duel who views Hamilton as treasonous immigrant his world nearly self-destructs.
With the end of the American Revolution looming and his visions of his own glory fading, Hamilton becomes determined to leave Washington s staff and return to the battlefield. Washington, the only man who can help him, does all in his power to deny him. One daring assignment remains, however, that will determine the outcome of the final battle and the entire war. It is at a place called Yorktown.
#3) Gettysburg: Voices from the Front
A stirring collection of first-hand accounts from Privates on up to the commanding Generals at the Battle of Gettysburg woven into a dramatic and compelling narrative. The reader is transported back to the chaos and uncertainty of the sweltering first three days of July 1863 when Lee's Army of Northern Virginia invaded the North threatening Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington itself. Soldiers on both sides gave everything they had believing that Gettysburg would be the final epic battle in an already long and terrible war.
#4) How Canada Won the Great War
For nearly 100 years Canada's role in ending WWI sooner than anyone thought possible has gone largely unrecognized. The Canadian Corp led by citizen soldier, Arthur Currie, became the premiere fighting force on the Western Front. The fact that Canada was not yet a formalized nation but a Dominion at the close of the war may be the reason for the absence of recognition yet the record of the Canadian WWI military accomplishments is irrefutable.
And more!
The Amazon deal starts tomorrow at 8AM.
