Liberty or Death (2007)

Actors: Doug Sloan (actor), Doug Sloan (actor), Carson Hudson (actor), James Green (actor), Charles Wissinger (actor), Charles Wissinger (actor), Beau Marie (actor), Lucas N. Hall (actor), Kevin Grantz (actor), Josh Mumford (miscellaneous crew), Scott Wichmann (actor), Ray Bullock (actor), Ray Bullock (actor), H. Lynn Smith (actress), H. Lynn Smith (actress),

Plot: To avoid interference from the royal governor of the colony and his marines, the Second Virginia Convention met in Richmond, Virginia on March 20, 1775 to discuss recent proceedings at the First Continental Congress. The meeting turned into a debate over whether or not to arm the colony to resist British forces whose numbers were steadily increasing in North America. Many members preferred to adopt conciliatory measures, but Patrick Henry delivered an impassioned speech, arguing Virginia needed a "well-regulated militia." It was imperative, he declared, that the colony be prepared to oppose King George III. He ended his oration with the phrase: "Give me liberty or give me death!" This documentary, filmed at site of the original convention, provides the historical context for the debates and recreates the most important speeches delivered during the meeting, concluding with Henry's famous address.

Keywords: american-history, american-revolution, church, colonial-america, convention, debate, reenactment, richmond-virginia, virginia
Genres: Documentary, History,

Quotes:

[historic quote]::Patrick Henry: It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace, peace" - but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Richard Henry Lee: Thrice is he armed that has his quarrel just / And he but naked, though locked up in steel / Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted - William Shakespeare

Choosing Revolution (1999)

Actors: William G. Wagner (director), William G. Wagner (producer), Frances Burroughs (miscellaneous crew), Michael Durling (miscellaneous crew), William E. White (producer), Jim Survil (miscellaneous crew), Michael J. Lombardi (producer), Mary Stutz (miscellaneous crew), Richard McCluney Jr. (producer), Jodi Norman (miscellaneous crew), Pete Pitard (miscellaneous crew), Danielle Gammon-Smith (miscellaneous crew), Bill Weldon (actor), Tom Hay (actor), Jack Flinton (actor),

Plot: "Choosing Revolution" is the story of the Randolph household of Williamsburg. The Randolphs were prominent Virginians. Peyton Randolph was president of the First Continental Congress. His younger brother John was attorney general of Virginia. But as revolution approached, the two brothers found themselves on opposite sides of the political fence. "Choosing Revolution" tells the personal story of how the difficult decision to become a patriot or remain a loyalist affected the entire Randolph household, pitting brother against brother, father against son. The Randolph wives and daughters, constrained by the 18th century role of women, were expected to follow their men no matter how much it harmed their family. Even the Randolph slaves were thrown into confusion as they learned that they might be offered a choice that could lead to freedom.

Keywords: 1700s, american-revolution, britain, classroom, colonial, colonial-america, colony, educational, electronics, england
Genres: Drama, Family, History,

Prelude to Independence: The Stamp Act Crisis (1995)

Actors: William G. Wagner (producer), Michael Durling (director), Jim Survil (miscellaneous crew), Richard McCluney Jr. (producer), Jodi Norman (miscellaneous crew), Bill Weldon (actor), Tom Hay (actor), Elizabeth Schmidt (miscellaneous crew), Jack Flinton (actor), Bunny Rich (miscellaneous crew), Tres Matthews (actor), Clip Carson (actor), Rene Willett (actress), Joanne Puckett (miscellaneous crew), Rene Willett (actress),

Genres: Documentary, Drama, Family, History,

A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation (1989)

Actors: Craig Wasson (actor), Richard Dutcher (actor), Michael Flynn (actor), Oscar Rowland (actor), Scott Wilkinson (actor), Michael Ruud (actor), David Jensen (actor), Rebecca Poulos (miscellaneous crew), Rick Macy (actor), Ivan Crosland (actor), Tom Trigo (miscellaneous crew), Michael McGuire (actor), Beverly Rowland (actress), Steve Anderson (actor), H.E.D. Redford (actor),

Genres: Drama, History,

1776 (1972)

Actors: Howard Da Silva (actor), Marshall Schlom (miscellaneous crew), William Daniels (actor), William Bassett (actor), Ken Howard (actor), William H. Ziegler (editor), Blythe Danner (actress), John Myhers (actor), Jack L. Warner (producer), John Holland (actor), John Cullum (actor), James Noble (actor), William Duell (actor), Peter Stone (writer), Peter Stone (writer),

Plot: The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants.

Keywords: 1770s, 18th-century, alcohol, american-revolution, based-on-novel, based-on-stage-musical, based-on-stage-musical-based-on-novel, bell, bell-tower, committee
Genres: Drama, Family, History, Musical,

Quotes:

Thomson: [calling for a vote] Where's Rhode Island?::McNair: Rhode Island's out visiting the necessary.::Hancock: Well, after what Rhode Island has consumed, I can't say I'm surprised. We'll come back to him, Mr. Thompson.::Thomson: Rhode Island passes.::[Roar of laughter from the Congress]

Hopkins: Well, in all my years I ain't never heard, seen nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about. Hell yeah! I'm for debating anything. Rhode Island says yea!

[Jefferson's wife visits, and they retire behind closed doors]::John Adams: Good God, you don't mean... they're not going to...? In the middle of the afternoon?::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Not everybody's from Boston, John!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh John, you can dance!::John Adams: We still do a few things in Boston, Franklin.

[Standing awkwardly nearby as Jefferson and Martha embrace]::John Adams: Jefferson, kindly introduce me to your wife. [pause] She is your wife, isn't she?::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Of course she is. Look at the way they fit.

John Dickinson: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hopkins, Dr. Franklin, why have you joined this... incendiary little man, this BOSTON radical? This demagogue, this MADMAN?::John Adams: Are you calling me a madman, you, you... you FRIBBLE!::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Easy John.::John Adams: You cool, considerate men. You hang to the rear on every issue so that if we should go under, you'll still remain afloat!::John Dickinson: Are you calling me a coward?::John Adams: Yes... coward!::John Dickinson: Madman!::John Adams: Landlord!::John Dickinson: LAWYER!::[a brawl breaks out]

Abigail: I never asked for more. After all, I am Mrs. John Adams and that's quite enough for one lifetime.::John Adams: Is it, Abby?::Abigail: Well, think of it, John, to be married to the man who is always the first in line to be hanged!

John Adams: A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Please Mr. Dickinson, but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep?::[laughter from Congress]::John Dickinson: Forgive me, Dr. Franklin, but must YOU start speaking? How is a man to stay awake?::[More laughter]::John Dickinson: We'll promise to be quiet - I'm sure everyone prefers that you remained asleep.::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: If I'm to hear myself called an Englishman, sir, I assure you I prefer I'd remained asleep.::John Dickinson: What's so terrible about being called an Englishman? The English don't seem to mind.::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He's thankful for the honor, but he'd much rather have restored what's rightfully his.::[laughter]::John Dickinson: When did you first notice they were missing, sir?::[laughter]

John Adams: I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress! For ten years, King George and his Parliament have gulled, cullied, and diddled these colonies with their illegal taxes! Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts, Sugar Acts, Tea Acts! And when we dared stand up like men, they have stopped our trade, seized our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our BLOOD! And still, this Congress refuses to grant ANY of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesty of open debate! Good God, what in hell are you waiting for?

Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot (1957)

Actors: Bernard Herrmann (composer), George Seaton (director), Alma Macrorie (editor), Kate Drain Lawson (costume designer), John McGiver (actor), Luis Van Rooten (actor), William H. Wright (producer), Jack Lord (actor), Leora Dana (actress), Emmet Lavery (writer), Robert Ivers (miscellaneous crew), Clarence Derwent (actor), House Jameson (actor), Charles G. Martin (actor), Francis Compton (actor),

Plot: This is a 37-minute orientation film, filmed in the spring of 1956, for visitors to historic Colonial Williamsburg, and photographed in the area restored by the Rockerfeller Foundation. The plot follows a fictional Virginia planter, John Fry ('Jack Lord (I)' (qv)), who becomes a member of Virginia's House of Burgesses. Through contact with Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and other patriots, he gradually loses his ties with the pro-British faction and casts his lot with the rebels.

Keywords: 1770s, 18th-century, american-revolution, boycott, british-marine, church, city-in-title, colonial-america, continental-congress, farmer
Genres: Drama, History, Short,

The Bill of Rights (1939)

Actors: Natalie Kalmus (miscellaneous crew), Raymond Brown (actor), Tom Chatterton (actor), Creighton Hale (actor), John Hamilton (actor), John Harron (actor), William Hopper (actor), Olaf Hytten (actor), Boyd Irwin (actor), Crane Wilbur (director), Everett Dodd (editor), Sidney Bracey (actor), John Litel (actor), Jack Mower (actor), Leonard Mudie (actor),

Plot: This short subject is a lavish costumed color production which dramatizes the birth of the American Bill of Rights. It depicts leading political figures of the American Revolution and the despotic British colonial rule which led to the creation of the Bill of Rights.

Keywords: american-history, american-revolution, patriotism, propaganda
Genres: Drama, History, Short,

The Declaration of Independence (1938)

Actors: Natalie Kalmus (miscellaneous crew), Charles L. Tedford (writer), Howard Jackson (composer), Milo Anderson (costume designer), Crane Wilbur (director), Everett Dodd (editor), Lionel Belmore (actor), Sidney Bracey (actor), Tom Chatterton (actor), Hal Craig (actor), Ralph Dunn (actor), Henry Hall (actor), John Harron (actor), Gordon Hart (actor), Boyd Irwin (actor),

Plot: This historical featurette focuses on Caesar Rodney of Delaware, who cast the deciding vote so that the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.

Keywords: ambush, american-revolution, continental-congress, declaration-of-independence, escape, gunfire, independence-hall, pennsylvania, philadelphia-pennsylvania, two-reeler
Genres: Drama, History, Short,

The Declaration of Independence (1924)

Actors: Douglass Dumbrille (actor), Kenneth S. Webb (director), Warner Richmond (actor), William B. Courtney (writer), Jack Newton (actor), Henry Pemberton (actor), Gordon Standing (actor), J. Moy Bennett (actor), Allen Lee (actor), Wallace Jones (actor), John Dunton (actor), Frederick J. Spender (actor),

Genres: Drama, Short,

America (1924)

Actors: Lucille La Verne (actress), D.W. Griffith (director), Neil Hamilton (actor), Charles Bennett (actor), Harry Semels (actor), D.W. Griffith (producer), Edward Roseman (actor), Erville Alderson (actor), Edward Dillon (actor), Arthur Donaldson (actor), Lionel Barrymore (actor), Lee Beggs (actor), Louis Wolheim (actor), James Smith (editor), Riley Hatch (actor),

Plot: THe first half of the film portrays the struggle of the under-armed, under-manned colonists against the British Redcoats at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Valley Forge. Other landmarks of the American Revolution shown include the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's midnight ride and Patrick Henry's (played by Frank McGlyyn Jr. and not played by his father Frank McGlynn Sr) inflammatory speeches to the VIrginia House of Burgesses. The second half dwells on the bloody Indian War of Mohawk Valley. THe parts are tied together by the troubled romance between a young patriot, Nathan Holden (Neal Hamilton (I)')and Nancy Montague ('Carol Dempster' (qv)), the daughter of a Tory Judge.

Keywords: 1770s, american-revolution, battle, battlefield, boston-massachusetts, boston-tea-party, british-redcoat, bunker-hill, card-game, church
Genres: Drama, History, War,
Taglines: Love of tender girlhood! Passionate deeds of heroes! A rushing, leaping drama of charm and excitement! A Thrilling Story of Love and Romance