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All for Liberty

Started by TaosGlock, August 10, 2017, 01:21:04 AM

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TaosGlock



BlueFeather and I just watched a film on Amazon called All For Liberty.

Revolutionary War films are a rarity.  Good ones are scarce.  All For Liberty is a great one.  In the past we have seen story lines that play fast and loose with history and with realism.  Not so much with All for Liberty.

The film centers around what amounts to a "Dangerous Old Man", Captain Henry Felder, an upcountry South Carolina patriot who reluctantly takes up arms against the Crown after witnessing abuses in the courts and taxation systems which the Crown refused to address.
South Carolina Governor John Rutledge, convincingly played by Michael Easler, approaches Captain Felder and asks him to organize a militia unit in Orangeburg South Carolina. 

Despite being far older than the typical soldier....sound familiar?....Captain Felder does not hesitate to rise to the needs of his conscience saying, "to keep what you want you have to fight for it." 
His age does not prevent him from personally taking the field to defend his ideals. 

The simple patriotic truths about liberty and individual rights spoken by Felder and Rutledge, so often taken for granted in the 21st century, are delivered thoughtfully and credibly. 

The war in the south was frequently a civil war where neighbor fought against neighbor.  It was not a war of linear formations firing into each others ranks.  Rather, it was many small actions which today can only be described as guerilla warfare.  The film depicts these very well. 
As a refreshing change from so many films, the rifles and muskets are handled very realistically as they were well trained by re-enactors.

One scene depicts Governor Rutledge asking Captain Felder to draft South Carolina's articles for separation from the Crown.  This pre-dated the Declaration of Independence by several months.  Felder reads the articles to his friends and neighbors, some of whom we meet again as the Tory enemy when they take up arms in support of the Crown.  A remarkable twist to the character of Captain Henry Felder is that he is portrayed, wonderfully well, by his 6th great-grandson, veteran actor Clarence Felder. WoW!

Another interesting element that bears watching is the character of Catherine Felder, the wife of Captain Henry Felder.  She is played by Clarence Felder's actual wife, Chris Weatherhead, who is also the co-writer, director and co-star.  Needless to say she is the perfect wife.
Before Felder actually heads off into that unknown, he hands her a pistol to protect herself. While she is not necessarily a "Dangerous Old Woman", her support and insight is unwavering.

The picture is beautifully filmed using sites such as Magnolia Plantation, Drayton Hall, The Old Exchange and Dungeon, Historic Brattonsville, Historic Camden and Old St. Andrews Parish Church in Charleston. 

The musical score and dance scenes blend very well with a strong 18th century flavor.
There is plenty of realistic action without being obsessively violent.  The military uniforms and accouterments, as well as the civilian clothing, is excellent.  Clearly, the great attention to detail has paid off.

The film was created with an emphasis on accurately portraying the 1770's  period which it does very successfully.  It is fascinating to see the many instances where one can bridge the gap in time between the revolutionary era and today while watching the film characters making decisions not unlike those confronting the 21st century.  Again, very Appleseed.

The American Revolution is still feared by oppressors worldwide and the tyrants within the confines of Washington DC.

The shots fired during the Revolutionary War during the American Revolution continue to echo around the world. John Adams would be proud. Those shots are the sounds of freedom fighters striving for what patriots such as Captain Henry Felder bought for Americans over two hundred years ago. 

The men and women of the American colonies who were determined to maintain their liberty, and willing to fight and die for it, have much in common with those who do the same in the world of today. 

The film also conveys the subtle reminder of how easy it is for Liberty to be lost through inaction and how it must be defended/preserved continuously.

As we teach "Civic Responsibility" at Appleseed, the core theme is, "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty".

While the film would be enjoyed by all perhaps it touches Americans most deeply as it depicts who we were, who we are, and what it is that we must constantly defend. One of the core reasons Project Appleseed exists.

All for Liberty has won nine international awards as well as two from the SC Sons of the American Revolution, First Prize in Media from the Lady Washington Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution in Texas and a Dove Foundation Family Seal of Approval for age 12+.  It is a movie that should be respected.

As we instructors know and our attendees find out, it has always been about Liberty. The words freedom are rarely used. Revolutionary War flags make that point clear.

In regards to what we do at Project Appleseed, I found the last line of the narrator particular interesting, " We may talk about Liberty, but they were willing to die for it...."

Trailer:  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=all+for+liberty-movie&view=detail&mid=B1C8B9A73E3DD16A5C7EB1C8B9A73E3DD16A5C7E&FORM=VIRE

89 fantastic Appleseeds since 2008/24 Libertyseeds!
Adventure Camp Director/Current Lead Rifle Instructor: NRA WC Raton,NM
New Mexico's first Rifleman: Sept. 2008 NRAWC
Their walls are filled with cannonballs, their motto is don't tread on me-Grateful Dead
Liberty is not a cruise ship full of pampered passengers. It is a man of war and we are all crew-Boston T. Party
"Make no mistake, when you cheer for the people of the American Revolution, you are cheering for traitors and criminals.
They broke the law, because liberty is always illegal"- Larken Rose