Burbank, Calif., This year, 2011, marks the 150th anniversary of the start of The American Civil War, one of the most defining events in our nation’s history. The First Battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, was fought on July 21, 1861 and is considered the first major battle of a war which would last until April 9, 1865.
Beginning July 21, four days of special events hosted by a variety of Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area partners, will mark the War’s start and bring into the national spotlight a four-year commemoration that will also denote the largest emancipation of slaves in history. The weekend is expected to draw dignitaries, celebrities, historians and an estimated 30,000 spectators.
The new venture between Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership will help people across the globe share in our national heritage and encourage them to experience it for themselves.
Ceremonies begin Thursday morning on the 21st at the Manassas National Battlefield Park with introductions by elected officials and others (to be announced). The day will also include living history demonstrations, a 3-D photo exhibit, Civil War 150th Anniversary HistoryMobile, official battlefield tours, and the 100th Anniversary of the National Jubilee of Peace at the Old Manassas Courthouse in Historic Manassas and much more.
On Friday July 22, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG) and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership will host the theatrical premiere of WBHEG’s new version of Ronald F. Maxwell’s definitive epic Civil War film, Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut at the 1170-seat Hylton Center for the Performing Arts in Manassas. Maxwell (Gettysburg, Little Darlings, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia) will introduce the film that includes an hour of new footage as well as video segments on the importance of embracing the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area and sharing it with future generations. He will also lead a panel discussion with the film’s stars (to be announced) and the film’s historical advisers. For information on attending, visit www.HallowedGround.org. (Date and location of, and talent attending theatrical premiere subject to change, please visit website for updated information.)
Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut will debut for home viewing on Blu-ray May 24, along with the Blu-ray debut of Maxwell’s earlier film, Gettysburg Director’s Cut. Each film will be packaged in 2-disc, 48-page Blu-ray Book versions that will contain photographs, bios, timeline, production notes, maps, and more.
The newest cuts of the two epic films arrive together July 4 in a double-wide, must-own numbered Limited Collector’s Edition, beautifully gift-boxed with extensive new and notable extras and memorabilia, to be announced. Included is a special 32-page excerpt from TIME’s forthcoming book, TIME The Civil War: An Illustrated History. TIME’s upcoming publication is a large format hardcover book showcasing more than 200 images, artifacts and illustrations from the period, including many rarely seen photographs. The book touches on the major battles, generals and campaigns of the war, ranging widely across all fronts, and providing a powerful overview of the war. For more information, visit www.civilwarmovies150.com.
Gods and Generals is also available On Demand from cable and satellite providers and for digital download from online retailers including iTunes™, VUDU and Amazon Instant Video.
On July 23 and 24, an estimated 10,000 Civil War reenactors from around the country will stage two days of reenactments at Pageland Farm in Prince William County, Va. Hosts will be Prince William County, Virginia and the Prince William/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information and a complete listing of other events, visit: www.manassasbullrun.com.
“The American Civil War remains one of the most tragic yet one of the most defining events in the history of the United States, and this 150th anniversary is a bittersweet reminder of the fallen and the struggle for freedom,” said Jeff Baker, Warner Home Video’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog. “We think the new Blu-ray assets we’ve created will serve to educate and enlighten audiences as well as entertain them. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group is proud and honored to be working with The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership and to be a part of this historical time.”
“We often take for granted just what it took to bring to fruition the ideals of our founding fathers,” said Cate Magennis Wyatt, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership Founder and President. “The Sesquicentennial commemorations remind us of the generations of men and women — both well-known and less-known — who placed life and livelihood on the line to create these United States. It is a great honor to commemorate these Americans, Black and White, rich and poor, all of whom remind us that we, too, can make a difference.”
“I made Gettysburg and Gods and Generals because I love our American history,” noted director Maxwell. “I’m passionate about our shared stories because I know that storytelling is intrinsic to the human condition and these people, places and events grabbed me viscerally. Since making these movies, I’ve become involved with a group that cares as passionately as I do, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. Visiting this treasured region, walking on its battlefields; exploring its historic downtowns; experiencing vibrant farms and vineyards created to sustain our forefathers’ agrarian landscape — that is an exciting personal way to begin to understand our collective national heritage and to make it real.”
More than 620,000 Americans died in the conflict, far more than in any other war this nation has faced. The Sesquicentennial Commemoration will provide an opportunity to study all sides of the story: Union, Confederate and African-American; battlefront and home front; enslaved as well as freed.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area contains more history than any other region in the nation. Home to the country’s largest collection of Civil War sites, this National Heritage Area also includes: nine Presidential homes, 13 National Park units, hundreds of African American and Native American heritage sites, 30 Historic Main Street communities, 49 National Heritage districts, sites from the Revolutionary War, French-Indian War, War of 1812 as well as National and World Heritage sites and over 10,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
THE JOURNEY THROUGH HALLOWED GROUND PARTNERSHIP ADDITIONAL EVENTS & INFORMATION
Vodcasts
Mini-movies or Vodcasts created by some 400 sixth-grade students from Stonewall Middle School in Manassas, participating in the The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership’s award-winning, service-learning program called Of the Student, By the Student, For the Student™ will be available for viewing.
These Vodcasts, which were created from start to finish by the middle schoolers, offer a new perspective on the Civil War Battles at Manassas and life in 19th century America. The students chose their storylines as well as wrote their scripts, and served as editors, actors, photographers, choreographers, set designers, videographers and set and costume creators.
The Vodcasts offer history through the lenses of these 11- and 12-year olds, providing their depiction of:
• Life as a soldier
• Technology of the 1860s, including weaponry, transportation and communication
• The African-American perspective — both free and enslaved
• Life on the home front, in particular the experience of girls and women
• The role of immigrants in the war
• 19th century medicine
• Stonewall Jackson as a husband, father and son
This service-learning project is supported by the National Endowment for Humanities, Virginia Department of Education in partnership with Learn and Serve America, Richard S. Reynolds Foundation, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Prince William County Schools and the Prince Williams/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Vodcasts will be unveiled on May 24th in Manassas and available for viewing at www.HallowedGround.org
MORE ABOUT THE BLU-RAYS
As noted, each of WHV’s companion Civil War epic films — Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut and Gettysburg Director’s Cut will be released May 24 from Warner Home Video in 2-disc, 48-page Blu-ray Book versions packaged with photographs, bios, timeline, production notes, maps, and more. They arrive in a double-wide gift box as a Limited Collector’s Edition on July 4 ($84.99 SRP Blu-ray/ $69.92 SRP DVD).
Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut is director Ron Maxwell’s newly re-edited 4-hour- 40-minute version, with one hour of new footage added, including amplified scenes and new subplot, never-before-seen footage and new bonus features.
Reedited from beginning to end with expanded scenes and an added subplot, this all-new 2-Disc Extended Director’s Cut — a prequel to Maxwell’s companion film, Gettysburg — restores his original vision of the fierce allegiances and combat during the early American Civil War. From Jeffrey M. Shaara’s best seller, this commemorative release adds the story of actor and future Presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth, newly integrated throughout the narrative. Also, the Battle of Antietam is now included, along with the fateful clashes at Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, plus camp life scenes. Oscar winners Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies) and Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) star along with Jeff Daniels (Good Night and Good Luck), Stephen Lang (Avatar) and Bruce Boxleitner (TRON:Legacy) in this magnificent film .
Special Features* and Details:
• Commentary with Ron Maxwell, Keith Gibson and Professor James Robertson
• Extended Cut Commentary with Maxwell, Gibson and Robertson (NEW)
• Introduction by Ted Turner and Ron Maxwell (NEW)
• Gods & Generals: Journey to the Past
• The Life of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
• The Authenticities of the Film
• Cross the Green Mountain – Music Video by Bob Dylan
• Ron Maxwell’s Invitation to Take the Journey Through Hallowed Ground (NEW)
• Run Time: 280 minutes
• Rated: PG-13
• Price: $34.99 SRP
Gettysburg: Directors Cut is Maxwell’s acclaimed film about the legendary 3-day battle and will be available for the first time on Blu-ray, featuring 17 minutes of compelling additional footage. Filmed at actual battle locations and full of authentic details, this rousing and soulful movie plunges the viewer into the bloodiest battle fought on American soil. History comes alive with intense and spirited battles and the dilemmas, motivations and fears of the leaders. Tom Berenger (Inception), Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen (TV’s “West Wing”) and Stephen Lang star in this gripping film based on Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning book, “The Killer Angels.”
Special Features* and details:
• Commentary by Ronald F. Maxwell, Kees Van Oostrum, James M. McPherson, and Craig Symonds
• The Making of Gettysburg, Narrated by Martin Sheen
• The Battle of Gettysburg, Narrated by Leslie Nielson
• On Location
• Maps of the Battlefield
• Ron Maxwell’s Invitation to Take the Journey Through Hallowed Ground (NEW)
• Run Time: 271 minutes
• Not Rated
• Price: $34.99 SRP
*Special Features subject to change
