Defiant, brave and free, the great abolitionists Thomas Garrett, William Still and Harriet Tubman,
ORDER DIRECT FROM JANSON MEDIA
LENGTH: 60 Minutes
MSRP: $24.95
CATALOG #: 20241
UPC #: 6-4603202419-7
ISBN #: 1-56839-139-0
RELEASE YEAR: 2004
PRODUCER: Teleduction, Inc.
NOTES: Whispers of Angels airs on public television stations nationwide.
DOWNLOAD-TO-OWN from Amazon.com
along with hundreds of lesser known and nameless opponents of slavery, formed a Corridor of Courage stretching from Maryland’s eastern shore through the length of Delaware to Philadelphia and beyond — making the Underground Railroad a real route to freedom for enslaved Americans before the Civil War.
Long-format interviews with prominent historians blend with dramatic reenactment to create a powerful story about the fight to end slavery. Actors Edward Asner and Blair Underwood portray the two most prominent abolitionists on the eastern line of the Underground Railroad, Thomas Garrett and William Still. Bearing a remarkable resemblance to Thomas Garrett, Asner reenacts the famous courtroom scene in 1848 in which Garrett foreshadows the Civil War and firmly declares to redouble his efforts in fighting for true freedom in America. In spite of the court’s imposition of a crippling financial punishment, Garrett’s ideals were not altered; his clandestine activities continued for many years even during the War. Reading documented text in the form of letters exchanged by Thomas Garrett and William Still (a free black abolitionist in Philadelphia), Asner and Underwood bring to life the fascinating working relationship between the two men and those they helped. Underwood, as William Still, meets in secret with the frightened fugitives who pass through his Anti-Slavery Society Offices in Philadelphia on their dangerous journeys to the north.
Awards »
“The valiant efforts of Garrett, Still, and others – including Harriet Tubman – are documented in this impressive program, which offers a glimpse of brave Americans who took a humanitarian stand against the injustices of slavery.” -Carol Holzberg
Winner of the 2002 World Gold Medal for History Programming at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
Winner of the Chris Award Statuette, 2002 Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Honorable Mention, screen-writing category, 2002 Chris Awards
Reviews
“…this excellent documentary is highly recommended. Four Stars.” – Video Librarian“Whispers of Angels is a fascinating film including both primary source materials and interviews with noted scholars such as Charles Blockson and James Horton which help to illustrate some of the history and provide images and context for the story. Woven amongst the documents and interviews are expert renditions of historical events. Led by Edward Asner as Garrett and Blair Underwood as Still, the actors and re-enactors, who appear to be from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia are first rate, bringing an honest portrait of the events of the time. Costuming is well done and it appears where possible the performances took place in the actual locations where events took place. The film is also beautifully shot providing a contrast between the striking scenery and the ugliness of slavery.
Viewers learn where the term underground railroad came from and how the freed black community became an important part of the underground railroad; how the growth of religion helped slaves survive and created new safe havens for those escaping to freedom; and how the government, who felt that helping slaves escape was equivalent to stealing property, passed laws such as the Second Fugitive Slave Act to allow slave holders to go into free states to get their slaves and provide for stronger punishments for those helping slaves escape. After the Civil War, Still and Garrett continued to work to insure the rights of African Americans including working toward passage of the 15th amendment. Whispers of Angels accompanying website provides additional information and teaching tools to enhance the learning experience.
…This incredible movie provides excellent historical information about the underground railroad, the history of slavery and how two brave men bucked the system to insure that slaves could find their way to freedom and that people would know their stories. Highly recommended.” – Educational Media Reviews Online
“Take a trip back in time to examine firsthand the efforts of abolitionists Thomas Garrett, William Still, and Harriet Tubman in helping to free America’s slaves as in-depth interviews with prominent historians merge with dramatic reenactments in a documentary that took home the Chris Award Statuette at the 2002 Columbus International Film and Video Festival. Actors Blair Underwood and Edward Asner portray the men whose undying courage and staunch dedication to human rights led them to help create a much-needed route to freedom for slaves in the days before the Civil War.” ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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