“Our aim was to pull the audience into the film by creating an emotional connection and visceral reaction to what was happening on screen. Characters—and their words—create the connection while at the same time move the story forward. Battle scenes have a feeling of chaos—they’re dirty and gritty. It all comes down to approaching the subject in terms of cinema and story.”
—Paul Lamont, Producer/Writer/Director
Glorious Battle: The Siege of Fort Erie
—A WNED Production—
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10 p.m. on WNED-TV – Premiere!
For two months in 1814, Fort Erie became “Canada’s bloodiest battlefield” – a gruesome distinction that stands nearly two centuries later. More than 3,000 troops — Americans, British and Native allies on both sides — were killed, wounded or missing.
This brutal battle ― just one chapter in the War of 1812 ― is brought to life through historical characters and re-enactments, as well as extensive special effects and a complex audio soundscape.
This 30-minute film was written, produced and directed by Paul Lamont. The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), an agency of the Province of Ontario, operates the Old Fort Erie historic site where much of the film was shot. According to NPC Chair Fay Booker, this film depicts “a monumental moment in Canadian history.”
“Being able to make a film with such a universal message is a wonderful opportunity,” said Lamont. “We were fortunate that the Niagara Parks Commission saw the big picture, understood the power of film and the art of storytelling. The message of ‘Glorious Battle’ will carry through the years and, at the same time, will raise awareness of Fort Erie to an international audience.”
WNED also produced a 13-minute, surround-sound version of the film for the new Welcome Centre for Old Fort Erie (opening soon).
Canadian Talent
Filmed entirely in the Province of Ontario, an estimated 85 to 90 percent of the “Glorious Battle” talent and crew were Canadian, including:
Narrator Victor Garber (“Godspell;” “Alias;” “Titanic”)
Special effects director Tim McElcheran [“Fraggle Rock;” “Canada: A People’s History” (CBC)];
Reenactment director Peter Twist (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Master and Commander,” “The Patriot”)
“The War of 1812” also premieres this fall on PBS Monday, October 10 at 9 p.m.
The first comprehensive film history of this defining, yet little-known, war wasproduced by WNED-TV and Florentine Films/Hott Productions in association with WETA, Washington, D.C.
Visit http://www.pbs.org/war-of-1812/ for details.
Showcasing the History and Heritage of Buffalo/Toronto and the Niagara Frontier
Both films continue WNED’s important tradition of showcasing the cultural and historical treasures of the Buffalo/Toronto region to a national PBS audience. Recent national productions have included Lamont’s “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo” (2006) and “Elbert Hubbard: An American Original” (2009) as well as “Fort Niagara: The Struggle for a Continent” (2004), “Niagara Falls” (2006), “The Adirondacks” (2008) and “Chautauqua: An American Narrative” (2011).
“Several of WNED’s top-notch documentaries have generated significant awareness about the unique historical and cultural assets in our bi-national region,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. “As the bicentennial of the War of 1812 approaches, I hope our latest productions spur local residents and out-of-town visitors alike to explore the historical treasures on the Niagara Frontier.”
