Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot (review)

Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot (Colonial Williamsburg, 1957) color, 36 min. The film traces the events leading up to the outbreak of the Revolution through the eyes of John Fry, a Virginia planter newly elected to the House of Burgesses. All action takes place in „or near the Williamsburg restoration site. Fry resents the traitorous speeches of Patrick Henry against the Stamp and Townshend Acts but eventually supports independence. This is a very polished production that dramatizes the human psychology behind the decision to revolt and clearly contrasts the differences of opinion over resistance to Great Britain. My students noticed the failure of the film to play up any social or economic distinctions. Even the slaves were happy. The Revolution emerges as an act of political principle. (Course, "Currents in American History") John E. O'Connor, Newark College of Engineering Purer and The Renaissance (McGraw Hill, 1963) color, 14 min. The films theme is to draw the relationships between the Italian Renaissance and that of the North. Through effective use of Durer' s drawings and paintings the ¡spiritual mentality of the medieval period in contrasted with the development of Humanist values. Color reproduction of the art works is excellent, and a valuable narration suggests questions for class discussion. I recommend it highly. (Course, "Survey of Contemporary Civilization I") Louis J. Barnett, Queens College; Flushing, New York Night and Fog (McGraw Hill, 1955) color, 31 min. Alain Resnais' classic documentary on the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps contrasts captured black and white footage of the camps with color views of peaceful scenes on the sites today. The sound track is in French with English sub-titles. The film is not an analysis of Nazism but rather a stark description of its implementation. It proved invaluable as a source of discussion and as material for written assignments. Analogies are made to present day systems of oppression. (Course, "Global History Since 1789") Doris H. Ben Asher, Newark College of Engineering Please address all correspondence and comments to: Historians Film Committee c/o History Faculty Newark College of Engineering 323 High Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 ...