PBS To Air For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots - A Flim By Frank Martin

In Recognition of Black History Month, Broadcast Premier of For Love of Liberty airing on PBS A Landmark Film Chronicling the Untold Story of African-Americans’ Courageous Service to their Country, Brought to Life By Who's Who of Entertainers
By: Matt Hagan/Bulldog Public Relations
 
Jan. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Contact: Matt Hagan (202) 483-3003
matt@bulldogpublicrelations.com

HOSTED BY HALLE BERRY, INTRODUCED BY COLIN POWELL, NARRATED BY AVERY BROOKS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY LOUIS GOSSETT, JR,  
WITH COOPERATION OF THE U.S. ARMY
 
BOSTON, January 25, 2010—In observance of Black History Month in February and in honor of African-Americans who serve our country, For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots premiers on PBS stations WGBX-TV and PBS World (check local listings for times and stations). It is a powerful documentary television series that salutes our African-American service men and women and reveres their dedicated allegiance to the United States military. The four-hour high-definition (HD) film will air in two parts on PBS starting Monday, February 1. Made with the U.S. Army’s full cooperation (www.goarmy.com), the film is sponsored by US Bank, Ford Motor Company and State Farm. The documentary’s website is: www.forloveofliberty.org.  
   Hosted by Halle Berry, narrated by Avery Brooks, and featuring an introduction by Colin Powell, the film begins at the dawn of U.S. history, chronicling African-Americans who risked their lives to create and preserve freedom for their country while attempting to acquire it for themselves. For Love of Liberty uses letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, historical text and military records to document the accomplishments of African-American men and women since the earliest days of the republic.  Their gripping personal stories paint a deeply moving historical account of service and sacrifice, from the Revolutionary War – whose first casualty was a Black man, Crispus Attucks – to today’s battle against global terrorism.  
“It is a wonderful story…of a group of Americans who never lost their love of this country, never lost their faith in it or what the Founding Fathers had promised them. And that’s why this story is simply called, For Love of Liberty,” says former U.S. Secretary of State and Army General Colin Powell in the film’s introduction.  
Much more than a collection of historical facts and figures, For Love of Liberty introduces men and women whose lives make up the fabric of this inspiring and often heart-breaking story.  Their compelling first-hand accounts are told through dramatic, off-camera readings by a Who’s Who of major entertainers and public figures.  Those who lent their voices include: Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Susan Sarandon, Louis Gossett Jr., Ossie Davis, Robert Duvall, Danny Glover, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Elliot, Delroy Lindo.  Also Walter Cronkite, Isaac Hayes, John Goodman, Jesse L. Martin, Peter Coyote, Ice-T, James Garner, Robert Townsend, Alan Rickman, and Roscoe Lee Browne.  Additional participants include: Ruby Dee, John Amos, Eriq La Salle, Angela Bassett, Chris Cooper, Alfre Woodard, Cliff Robertson, Blair Underwood, Charles Dutton, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Donald Sutherland, and Isaiah Washington..
The words they deliver reveal an epic saga of perseverance and triumph, which the film brings movingly to life through rare photographs, archival materials, reenactments, personal memorabilia, historical paintings and posters.  The film also includes beautiful original footage of hundreds of monuments, battlefields, memorials, and other historic sites shot on location in more than 20 states and in Europe.
“I am proud and pleased a film finally presents a comprehensive review that accurately details how blacks played a major role in America's wars,” said Clarence Sasser, a U.S. Army combat medic and Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Vietnam War.  “From the beginning of American history, black soldiers and patriots understood that to be a part of America, they had to do the kind of things that others did; assimilating the U.S. culture, producing inventions and fighting in wars. Pertaining to wars, 'For Love of Liberty' superbly authenticates that perception.”
“Our goal is to raise public consciousness about this extraordinary and little-known aspect of our nation’s history, and I’m deeply indebted to all those who’ve supported our commitment to get this story told,” said Frank Martin, the film’s director.   “Throughout the film we look at why, despite rampant injustice, heroic Black men and women fought so valiantly for freedoms they themselves did not enjoy.   The theme that echoes across the centuries – the price of liberty – is one that is relevant to all Americans.”  
“For Love of Liberty has the power to forever change perceptions about the vital role African-Americans have played during the entire course of U.S. military history,” said actor Louis Gossett Jr., one of the film’s executive producers.  “I’m honored to be part of this important and ground-breaking film, and thankful to all my fellow actors who have helped to bring this story to life.”
Gospel great Andrae Crouch provided choral arrangements for an eclectic mix of songs that comprise the For Love of Liberty soundtrack.  Included are gospel-inspired arrangements of the Celtic classic, Minstrel Boy; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu; the holiday standard, O Holy Night; the World War II classic, I’ll Be Home For Christmas; Stephen Foster’s Civil War era heartbreaker, Was My Brother In The Battle; and the war-time standard, We’ll Meet Again. Additional music includes Jimi Hendrix’s Machine Gun and Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit.
The NAACP says: “This thought-provoking piece … brings the experiences and portrayals of these all but forgotten Americans into vivid focus.”  Senator John McCain, a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five and a half years, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, the Congressional Black Caucus, and most major veterans organizations also have endorsed For Love of Liberty.  The U.S. Army, which has recognized the film’s significant educational value, has vetted the historically accurate film and it enjoys support from all branches of the United States military.
For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots was produced by Rudy Poe, Frank Martin and James Crite.  The executive producers are Louis Gossett Jr., Hillard Elkins, Dennis Considine, Richard Hull and Kevin Clark.
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About Frank Martin
Frank Martin’s diverse production history includes more than 200 hours of prime-time television programming for CBS, ABC, TNT, PBS, Showtime, and Disney. Non-broadcast projects include material for the Defense Department, the Army, the Navy and the White House.  Among Martin’s notable  productions are:  John Huston:  The Man, The Movies, The Maverick, winner of the Sundance Film Festival Filmmaker’s Trophy;   MGM:  When the Lion Roars, Primetime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Informational Series; CBS: The First Fifty Years; and Mr. K: A Common Man with Uncommon Vision, winner of two Middle America Emmy Awards.
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Source:Matt Hagan/Bulldog Public Relations
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