Independence

A short (from JOHN HUSTON!) made for the National Park Service to celebrate the Bicentennial featuring Eli Wallach as Benjamin Franklin is one way to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial. I did not know of Independence’s existence until a mutual reviewed it a few days ago. 

There was no film I wanted to visit or revisit; to be frank, July 4th does not seem like a big deal for me as such a momentous anniversary should. Is it me? Is it because of how the United States has been in recent years, or is it other factors? Heck if I know, but at least I can mention this curio, made for visitors of Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park, an area which hosts various landmarks from the beginning of the United States as a country, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. 

This is as dry and clinical as you’d expect given the platform it was meant for. Those that don’t care for history and/or know little if anything about the early days of the United States as a country, this likely won’t be of interest for you. However, as I am that sort of nerd, I was interested even if none of the information presented was new to me.

What a cast this has:

*William Atherton as Benjamin Rush
* The late James Tolkan-wearing a wig-as Thomas Paine
* Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson. While I’ve never seen 1776, it is known by me he played him in that as well
* Pat Hingle as John Adams
* Eli Wallach as Benjamin Franklin
* Wallach’s wife Anne Jackson is here too, as Abigail Adams
* And E.G. Marshall was the narrator

This was produced w/ the aid of 20th Century Fox! If that isn’t a surprise, knowing why the cinematography looked so good will. This was shot by none other than Owen Roizman-yes, the cinematographer for The Exorcist, Network, and The French Connection, among other famous films still known today. 

Today, nothing special will be done. Staying at home viewing the fireworks on TV is fine by me; nothing will compare to the memories of viewing them as a kid w/ my family anyhow.

One thing I could do is decide which John Huston movies I should check out in the future. Many of his most famous efforts have been tackled already but there should be some more worthy of checking out.