PBS Releases "Gettysburg and the Civil War" DVD October 15th
Gettysburg and the Civil War
It was one of the great turning points in American history: a clash of ideologies that spilled over from the political arena and onto the battlefield, where over half a million lives were lost. The war between the Union and the Confederacy saw the country divided along geographical, racial and industrial lines, and few were spared the decision of where to pledge their loyalty. Communities were torn apart, families broken and cities destroyed.
Now, travel back to this most significant of times and experience the Civil War as you've never seen it before. This premium collection - comprising a feature-length DVD, a 24-page history of the entire conflict, and a set of rare replica memorabilia and battle maps - pays tribute to the war that divided, almost destroyed, and ultimately defined our nation.
Release marks the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address.
The feature-length documentary Gettysburg: The Boys In Blue & Gray presents the crucial battle of the war as described by the soldiers who took part, with dramatic reconstructions and archive material bringing you closer than ever to the action.
Additionally, a 24-page illustrated history of the conflict provides in-depth detail and context to the events of 1861-5, looking at the key engagements and personalities that shaped the outcome of the war.
Also Includes numerous pieces of rare memorabilia sourced from the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC. - a selection of lovingly recreated replica memorabilia and battle maps that brings history alive as you've never seen it before, with letters revealing personal and military insights into the war that turned brother against brother.
Tag :
Civil War,
Gettysburg 150th
Wereth 11 Selected to Screen at the Disney Lot in Hollywood
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| Walt Disney Studios, Los Angeles |
GIFF Chooses Wereth as the "Best of the Best."
My production team and I received some tremendous news last week the film which I wrote and directed, The Wereth Eleven, was chosen by the GI Film Festival as, in their words, the "Best of the Best" and they have announced a gala screening of the film at the legendary Walt Disney Studios in Hollywood (actually Burbank) on November 2nd.
The Emmy® nominated film won the Founders Choice Award at the GI Film Festival in Washington, DC in 2011. The festival organizers have chosen Wereth to screen as part of a special "Veterans Week Best of GI Film Festival" event in Los Angeles. The festival runs over two days November 1st and 2nd. Wereth will screen Saturday evening, Nov. 2, at 5:30P just prior to the closing VIP Party.
Tickets are $12 and available at this link, GIFF - LA
About The Wereth Eleven:
Robert Child, Director
GIFF 2011 Winner, Founder’s Choice
The Wereth Eleven retraces the steps eleven black GI's from the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion took when their unit was overrun by Germans at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. Their 10-mile trek from their battery position to Wereth, Belgium would be the last journey of their lives as a local resident turned them in to an SS scouting party. Subsequently all eleven were butchered and killed in one of the least understood, as well as unknown, war crimes of WWII.
Explore More:
Watch a panel discussion about the Wereth Eleven held at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans when the film made it's premiere there. Click Here.
An Offer You Can't Refuse - FREE. Read Blood Betrayal this Weekend
Spend this Labor Day Weekend with the mob.
Download Free Here
From today through Sunday grab a copy of Blood Betrayal, the FBI Thriller I wrote based on the true story I optioned from former Special Agent with the Philadelphia FBI, Charles Bud Warner. This book has never been part of the special Amazon promotion until now and I hope you can download a copy. If you do all I request is a review if you can spare the time as we are building the buzz to turn this story into a movie.
Here is more about the book:
The bodies are piling high -- 36 unsolved gangland murders at last count -- and FBI Supervisor Hans Bauer has to do the unthinkable: put tough, independent Special Agent Frank Murray back on the squad he was twice kicked out of, Organized Crime.
Mafia Kingpin Nick Scarponi is back from prison and orchestrating the bloodiest reign of mob killings in Philadelphia history and Frank Murray, who tossed Scarponi in the can three years earlier, is his #1 target.
The taunt, tense, visually gritty story leaps off the page and grabs you by the throat. The action-packed tale could only be crafted by someone who knows the art of cinematic pacing--acclaimed Director and Emmy® nominated filmmaker, Robert Child.
Blood Betrayal is a classic, big city mafia crime story that cuts to the bone. It feels all too real because it is. The story is based on an historic FBI prosecution and investigation led by Charles "Bud" Warner the real life Frank Murray. FBI Director William Sessions, Attorney General Janet Reno and President Bill Clinton commended him for his extraordinary work on this case.
Blood Betrayal is a thrill ride of twists and turns and vividly drawn characters such as "Center City" Charlie, mob con man Nick "The Crow" Consiglioni and Murray's wife, Marlene, a gold-digger whose affair with a doctor is brought to a screeching halt by Murray in a scene that has to be read to be believed.
Former Philadelphia resident and director David Lynch chillingly described the city during the time of Blood Betrayal: "It was a very sick, twisted, violent, fear-ridden, decadent, decaying place. I felt like I was constantly in danger. But it was so fantastic at the same time. The people had stories etched in their faces."
Summon your courage and enter this world if you dare
Washington Crossing Book Released
Purchase At Amazon
*Below is an excerpt from the book as well as an except from the forthcoming audiobook which will be released in September and lastly the film's trailer based on the filming that has already been done.
Washington's Crossing: America's First D-Day (excerpt)
FORTRESS YORKTOWN, OCTOBER 1781
It is late afternoon, a six man British burial party
concludes a graveside service for one of their own guarded by two Continental
soldiers. The still smoldering ruins of Fortress Yorktown silhouette them. Outside a white clapboard colonial home
American troops stand watch as British prisoners shuffle past.
Victorious American general George Washington, forty-nine,
arrives at the home on foot flanked by six aides. The American guards salute
and part to allow him to enter the home.
Inside, defeated British commander, forty-three year old
Charles Cornwallis stands near the hearth as British officers move quickly
past. As Washington enters the room stills.
Cornwallis moves graciously to meet his former enemy with an
extended hand. General Washington accepts it with a slight bow.
“Lord Cornwallis, it seems your health is restored,” as
Washington tweaks the British commander about his absence during the surrender
ceremony. Cornwallis, wincing at the slight, says, “Yes, General, thank you, I
am quite fit.”
LATER, DINING ROOM
General Washington commands the head of a long table flanked
by both American and French officers on his left and across from them British
officers to his right. The mood is subdued and formality prevails. Lord
Cornwallis sits opposite Washington at the other end of the table. A courier
enters with a dispatch that requires Washington’s signature. Signing,
Washington is interrupted by Cornwallis who takes advantage of the momentary
lull. The defeated commander raises his goblet of wine.
“Gentlemen, if I may take this opportunity,” men quiet and
turn towards Cornwallis as Washington sits back. “When the illustrious part
that your Excellency has borne in this long and arduous contest becomes a
matter of history, I dare say fame will gather your brightest laurels from the
banks of the Delaware rather than from those of the Chesapeake.”
Shocked silence descends as Cornwallis has extended
Washington an extraordinary compliment. Men look to one another then turn
anxious for Washington’s reaction.
Washington lifts his glass. Officers on both sides follow
suit as the General chooses his words carefully.
“Perhaps, your Lordship, our darkest hour revealed our
greatest courage.”
Cornwallis nods; impressed by Washington’s humble honesty
and his words bring forth warm acknowledgements from all gathered.
As the men from both side concentrate on their meal,
Washington’s mind drifts back five years earlier to the banks of the Delaware
River.
NEW JERSEY SIDE OF THE DELAWARE RIVER
On the fast running river, Continental troops under fire
clamor into small wooden boats. A vanguard of British light infantry in their
red uniforms appears in the trees. They begin to fire at Washington’s escaping
troops. Several Americans are hit. Washington’s maritime expert, Colonel John
Glover, from Massachusetts hurries the General into the last boat. With relief
Washington turns to Glover.
“It seems, John, that your maritime skills have preserved
this army once again.”
Glover smiling, replies, “Aye, and I pray your Excellency
does not continue to make this a habit.”
A British ball hits the head of a nearby man in the boat
with a crack. He falls lifeless into the
rushing current. They are not out of danger yet. Washington’s men scramble for
their muskets and begin to fire back at the British now crowding the river’s
edge. Soon Washington is safely
out of British musket range and he slumps a bit from exhaustion but catches
himself and looks about him. His men look to him for strength he reminds
himself to remain steadfast.
The Continentals had been chased across the length of New
Jersey for more than a month from Fort Lee in the north to Trenton in the
south. Finally they are able to put a river between them and the British if
only temporarily.
Sneak Listen to the D-Day Audiobook Releasing Later this Month
Tag :
War and Military,
WWII
.99 Cent Sale for a limited time. Rush On Boys Kindle Edition
Go to Amazon.
And don't forget the audiobook as well!
Audible and itunes.
Gettysburg 150th DVD, Order Now on Standard or Blu-Ray DVD
CLICK TO ORDER HERE.
Gettysburg Event Wraps
And the weather held until the very last moment at the close of Pickett's Charge when the the heavens opened up and the rains came - just as they did at the real battle 150 years ago.
The Battlecast has the full 2-hour program of the preshow, presentations and Pickett's Charge. If you did not see it live you can watch the whole event again by subscribing at GettysburgBattlecast.com
Below are just some of the tens of thousands of photos taken at the event - and these are of my hard working crew.
Behind the scenes in the control room of the Gettysburg Battlecast.
A couple of my embedded cameramen. Clay and John.
The camera van and gear.
The Crowds and the event.
Battle Highlights from the 150th Gettysburg Reenactment
