During World War II, 1.2 million African-Americans served in America’s Armed Forces. Fully 125,000 served overseas. 708 were killed. Among these were The Wereth Eleven. Their story was lost to history. Until now.
LENGTH: 60 Minutes, Plus Extra Features
MSRP: $24.95
CATALOG #: 20487
UPC #: 6-4603204879-7
ISBN #: 1-56839-411-X
RELEASE YEAR: 2011
PRODUCER: The Ardennes Group
AUDIO: Dolby 5:1 Surround Sound
STREET DATE: October 25th, 2011
The Wereth Eleven is an ambitious docudrama based on the true story of eleven African-American soldiers who were ruthlessly murdered by the Nazi SS during the Battle of the Bulge. The film weaves exciting visual effects, never before seen archival footage, and compelling interviews to detail one of the least known atrocities committed during World War II.
The Wereth Eleven stars Ken Arnold (Abduction), and is narrated by actor Corey Reynolds (TNT’s The Closer and Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal). It was written and directed by award winner Robert Child (Silent Wings), and edited by Frederic Lumiere (director of the award winning World War II in HD).
“I was really moved and saddened by the story. I set out on a mission to make sure the citizens of America and Europe knew what had happened to the eleven victims and make sure they knew of their contribution during World War II.” – Joseph Small, Executive Producer, The Wereth Eleven
Extra Features
- Panel Discussion held at the National World War II Museum with the producers of The Wereth Eleven
- Extended Interview with The Wereth Eleven Historian and Co-Writer Joseph Springer
- The Wereth Eleven Trailer
- The Wereth 11 Exposed, a short film displaying the state-of-the-art special effects that went into the making of the movie
Awards
Founders Choice Award for Best Picture, G.I. Film Festival, 2011
Nominee, Outstanding Editing in Television, Hollywood Post Alliance Awards, 2011
Leigh Whipper Gold Award for Documentary at the 35th annual Philadelphia International Festival
Elsewhere on the Web
The Wereth Eleven on Facebook
The Wereth Eleven official website
The Wereth Eleven on Twitter
Robert Child, Writer and Director
Originally from New England, Robert Child has worked behind the scenes as a writer, technical director, and director for more than a decade with network clients including HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Child produced a series of highly regarded and award-winning Civil War films including Gettysburg: The Boys in Blue and Gray and the docudrama Gettysburg: Three Days of Destiny. Child also directed “Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom,” “Silent Wings: The American Glider Pilots of World War II,The Wereth Eleven, and USS Franklin: Honor Restored. Child has won numerous awards including five Telly, two CINE Golden Eagles, Best Director at the New York Independent Film Festival, and Special Jury at World Fest Houston. In 2011, Child was selected to receive the highly coveted Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. His work has also been named as Official Selection at major United States film festivals including the New York Independent Film Festival and the Washington DC Independent Film Festival.
Reviews
“This remarkable docudrama, written and directed by Robert Child, chronicles the story of 11 African-American soldiers who were captured and brutally murdered near Wereth, Belgium, by the Nazi SS during the Battle of the Bulge. The men were members of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion, and their terrible tale has been called one of the least-known atrocities of World War II. Narrated by actor Corey Reynolds, The Wereth Eleven weaves together excellent interviews with WWII veterans and historians, never-before-seen archival footage, and top-notch visual effects (including CGI-animated graphics), while Ken Arnold leads an impressive cast in the reenactments. A winner of the Founder’s Choice Award at the 2011 GI Film Festival, DVD extras here include bonus interviews and panel discussions. Highly recommended . Editor’s Choice.”
-Video Librarian
“The Wereth Eleven is a very sad story. The setting is the huge conflict known as The Battle Of The Bulge. But the story is far more complex than a mere fire fight. The Wereth Eleven story is so unique that in Wereth, Belgium there exists a memorial.
If you are interested in history, this is without doubt one of the finest documentaries about a little known, or understood part of both World War II and our heritage.” – - BloggerNews.net
“This film is the “Glory” and “Tuskegee Airmen” of our times which highlights the amazing sacrifices, tremendous heart and the outstanding character of The Black Soldier who wasn’t welcome to fight
for their own country during times of war. It’s through the sacrificial efforts, determination and lives of these men, that Colin Powell became the highest ranking military officer in our nation and that any and all Black men and women could achieve any rank and position they dreamed of propelled only by their ambition, not discriminated due to the color of their skin.This film is a wake up call and an alarm to our youth of today who don’t have a clue to how they awaken to each new day in a land of freedoms unimaginable. It was on the backs and shoulders of men and soldiers like these who said, “Take me, I’ll fight,” for freedoms many didn’t live to experience and the ones that lived returned home without thanks, gratitude or appreciation.
This is a film for not only our people, but for All people to witness what our ancestors went through to give us our places in life today. These Eleven Black Soldiers of The 333rd Artillery Batallion, surrendered their lives so no harm would come to a Belgian family they only knew for a few short hours.
In a world of selfishness, this is a message of “Sacrifice my life for the sake of others,” which speaks volumes in today’s times. It’s a lessen that all of us need to awaken to.” -TJ Coleman, Founder of the The Aubrey Stewart Project
“This film would be a great addition to any library collection.” Highly Recommended – Educational Media Review Online (EMRO)
