A BYU film that chronicles the birth of the United States has won several awards and is one of the most "comprehensive" films on the subject, according to its director.
Director Peter Johnson, said the film, "A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation," earned awards at the Jan. 12 New York International Film and Video Festival: a gold for the soundtrack, a silver for original music and a finalist award in the docudrama category."Reaction to the film has been very positive and we are thrilled with the way it has been received," Johnson noted. Most of the film's interior scenes were shot at the BYU Motion Picture Studio on an Independence Hall set. Exterior shots were filmed on location in Virginia.
Although the film, which was completed last November, includes several different historic events, it focuses primarily on the events occurring in Independence Hall during the summer of 1787. It was during that hot and humid Constitutional Convention that, through days of intense debate, the Constitution of the United States was formed and adopted.
The film, Johnson observed, "was one of those films that just had to be done.
"In the past, other movies have filmed bits and pieces about the story," he continued. "But this film is as comprehensive as a two-hour film can be."
The film was actually three years in the making, with a major portion of that time dedicated to research and writing. "When we set out, we were determined to be historically accurate," he explained. "But, being filmmakers, we also wanted to be entertaining. We think we've accomplished that objective."
Originally, the idea of the film was conceived as BYU's contribution to the nation's bicentennial celebration. According to Johnson, the film, which has been officially recognized by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, is the most ambitious project undertaken by BYU Motion Picture Studio. The commission cited the film as "of exceptional merit with national significance, and substantial educational and historical value.
"We had no idea that by the time the film was completed, we would not only be celebrating the Constitution itself, but a worldwide yearning for freedom coming from all parts of the world," Johnson remarked. "This has to be one of the most timely films I've worked on."
The list of those involved in the project is extensive, according to Johnson. He not only directed the show, but also co-produced it with Nicholas Gasdik. Sound engineer Ryan Purcell was responsible for the award-winning soundtrack and composer Kurt Bestor created the original music. BYU professor Noel Reynolds headed up the research crew and Tim Slover served as screenwriter.
With a cast and crew that numbered well over 100 (not including extras), "it was a momentous undertaking," said Johnson. Except for a few professional actors brought in from Los Angeles, the cast was made up of Utah actors. "They developed a tremendous ensemble," the director said, as he recalled walking around the stage and seeing actors debating points of the Constitution or intently reading a book on the man they were portraying. "These people were in full costume, with hairpieces on and working under full lights. Temperatures sometimes reached 110 degrees," Johnson said. "It was murderously hot and no one complained. Everyone hung in there beautifully."
The film will soon be available for a general audience, according to Johnson. Currently, negotiations are under way to schedule the movie on a major commercial, public or cable television station.
"One of our major objectives was to make the film available to as many people as possible," explained Johnson. "And I think it will be available on home and educational video. This is the type of thing that could be around for 50 years."
