Customer Reviews

The Spirit of 76 - Final Edition DVD

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First of all, some of the comments on this films animation are ridiculous considering that it is the first EVER, American made - full length animated documentary! It therefore is creating its own genre. If you are purchasing this film to be dazzled by Big Studio special effects, you will be disappointed. If you expect that this documentary, which I am told was made for a mere $50k, is going to change the physical impression you have of the founders and they way they were painted, sketched or engraved you will also be disappointed. Now on to this wonderful films high points.

First of all, the soundtrack is amazing! The detail poured into the moving of chairs, the bustling and rustling of boot-steps across the sets and the reverb of the halls is as well done as any film I can recall shot in similar locations. The voice characterizations are also outstanding including a surprisingly entertaining performance by veteran actor Jay Thomas (Cheers, Mr. Holland's Opus) who plays Ben Franklin. Thomas brings Franklin to life in a way that Tom Wilkinson (John Adams) will truly be jealous of. The narration by Mr. Church is passionate when it needs to be, commanding but not preachy at times and jocular when needed too. Quite a feat for an actor with no other screen credit save for his own documentaries.

Steve Cook delivers a believable James Madison and Michael Weingartner nearly steals the show with his portrayal of Alexander Hamilton. Patrick Henry is played by Jean Hetherington and is the star of the 3rd act. Hetherington's performance should get him a Grammy as he delivers a more spirited defense of the American values fought for and gained in the Revolution than Hollywood has attempted since "Mr. Smith goes to Washington". The rest of the cast is outstanding and since their are no professional casting agents listed, I will assume that Mr. Church handled the task. Those that question Mr. Church's directorial skills and negatively compare him to Ken Burns should consider the enormous task and responsibility that casting the voices of our Founders entailed. Yet upon this films conclusion you will most assuredly relate the voices heard on the screen with references to the Founders in your daily life.

The story begins in the office of a newspaper publisher in Richmond VA (Thomas Ritchie I believe) and in the opening scene the stage is set for what will follow: The Framers created the Constitution to handle some tasks it was deemed individual states were -as James Madison puts it in the movie- incompetent at. Anything that the Supreme Court or Congress tackles outside those tasks is unconstitutional. We are then introduced to Mr. Church who stands on the Spirit of 76 background set for most of the rest of the film as our narrator. The real stars show up toward the end of the prologue: the Church twins: Madison and Reagan. Their questions about the Constitutions framing guide us through the rest of the "Timeline". Church deftly incorporates the twins into the storyline as they seem to popup when the story gets a tad esoteric (and what documentary doesn't?!).

The illustrations in this movie are handsome, vivid, and well done. Again, these are illustrations, drawn by the talented art director Craig Holloway. If you are expecting perfectly rounded and smoothed edges on every item drawn for the movie than the look of actual artwork may be disappointing. The interior of Independence Hall is recreated as it must have looked and here again Church's directorial skills shine. You can make out famous Founders, surrounded by other Founders from their own states suggesting that someone must have taken the time to draw a seating chart. I especially like the angle used where the camera starts outside Independence Hall and then zooms through the windows into the hall.

Each Founder is drawn as they appeared to the men who painted their portraits. At the end of the movie there are segues between Holloway's illustrations and surviving paintings of the Founders, the resemblances are spot on. Great care is taken in some scenes to illustrate the weather conditions during that summer of 1787, again, this attention detail is encouraging for a first time director.

In the story we quickly learn that some Founders desired to erect a monarchy in place of the one the states had just freed themselves from and short of that we are shocked to learn that James Madison wanted a central government that would eliminate the role of the states. Madison is portrayed in a light I was never aware of, that of the BAD GUY for most of the film though it is obvious from Church's narration that we won't leave the theatre with an impression of Madison the tyrant king!

The opposite side of this debate is taken up by George Mason, Luther Martin -played by XM talker Andrew Wilkow - Elbridge Gerry and Charles Pinckney, played by the multitalented Weingartner. in one scene, if you watch closely, Weingartner actually debates himself (Pinckney vs Hamilton). These men, led by Mason, defend the independence of the states with a fervor and eloquence few alive in America today could match and Church wisely allows them to argue it out and adds commentary to fill in the narrative gaps.

The most surprising part of the story happens in the 3rd act where we learn of a plot to influence New York and Virginia's ratification that was left out of my high school history books. Church guides the story through this intrigue as we meet New York governor George Clinton (no, he didn't start Parliament) who was a profound proponent of the Constitution. Most of the 3rd acts action takes place in Richmond VA in a building called the New Academy. Here, Hetherington brings Patrick Henry to life as he and Mason desperately try to stop ratification. Henry even resorts to the supernatural as we see in the films finale sequence. This scene would have been nice to see animated by Pixar or Dream Works but you'll get the point.

Church then ties the stories elements together with Masons reading of the VA ratification statement which will come as a shock to most audiences.

All things considered, the Spirit of 76 will keep you interested for the entire run-time and packs more historical insight and fact than what many of us have learned in an entire life. This is American history like you've never seen it before and it comes along not a moment too late as many today feel that the Constitution you will watch the drafting and ratification of is dead. Hopefully the Spirit of 76 will at the least, stir up enough interest in the fabled document to save its relevance.
-Brutus Cassius

My wife and I were in attendance for the premier of this film at XM studios in Washington, D.C.; this production was much more then we expected going in.

Between the narration by Mike Church, the convincing performances by the films participants, and the cameos by the Church daughters, Reagan and Madison this film provides entertainment, meticulously researched information and shocking revelations that settle the debates of our time.

I thought I was fairly well educated on the founding of our great Republic before seeing this film and I have to admit that there were a lot of holes in my memory that were never filled in by my formal education.

The Articles of Confederation were lacking in sufficient coverage for the issues of the time, specifically the threat to commerce by the Spaniards who were claiming title to the Mississippi river and excise being imposed by the States on commerce. This film will fill in the blanks and dispel tall tails spoken for many years by many about the true heroes of the Constitution.

You will meet Thomas Pinckney, Patrick Henry, William Paterson and the other true voices behind what we know today to be our Constitution; they presented the main decent to the Virginia plan constructed by James Madison, this plan was known as the New Jersey plan.

The reluctant leadership by George Washington of this gathering and passionate speeches by the attendees will stir in you the passion for freedom our founders had just recently fought to attain from the English monarchy.

The Federalists fortunately lost their plea for a new king to be coronated, lifetime appointments to Senate and the stripping of States rights.

The founders knew the woes of too much power being bestowed upon a central authority and delivered a Republic to the States.

This very foundation is being threatened today by others who would rather do for you then allow you to do for yourself.

Get this movie, watch it, show it to your children, your friends and anyone else you can think of; it is the obligation of all Americans to know your history or you shall be doomed to repeat it.

I listened to The Spirit of '76 on this morning's Mike Church show. Very interesting, very educational, very entertaining, very well done. Five stars for Mike Church.

First, I agree wholeheartedly with Brutus' review. This film is an astounding achievement for an upstart film company. The 5.1 audio mix is expertly layered, and draws you into the action (soundtrack was originally basic stereo as an audio-only documentary). Animation is presented as moving illustrations, and they are beautifully drawn with an artist's hand - and based on historical paintings and sketches of our Founding Fathers. By far the MOST amazing part of this film is the story itself. Mr. Church spent months researching and writing the audio documentary, going back to the source (the personal notes, letters, and memoirs from the men inside the debate halls) for the great bulk of the material. What he learned was so amazing that he financed, produced, wrote, directed, acted in, mixed audio, to bring this film to life. The story which unfolds may shock you, but it IS historical fact.

1. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened under false pretense, ostensibly to amend the Articles of Confederation.
2. James Madison was not the Father of the Constitution, his plan called for a central government similar to England's.
3. The Federalists were actually nationalists, and wanted to eliminate state sovereignty.
4. The republicans (not the modern GOP) were against ratification. They considered each State a separate Country.
5. The Constitution may not have been ratified by Virginia and New York had rapid and secure communication existed at the time.

Patrick Henry's speech from the Virginia Ratification debate steals the show. His defense of liberty was one for the ages and has never been committed to film until now. History buffs rejoice!

Bought for my hubby for Christmas. The content was magnificent and very educational, but I must admit the animation was a little flaky (hence 4 stars, not 5). I might get the audio set just to get the whole story. Thanks, Mike for all your hard work on this. Kudos King Dude!

Mike church is a great historian and I feel he has captured the debates with great precision. This documentary tells a true story that is no longer told in the realm of public education. The material and the production of the audio CDs as well as the DVD is great. The only reason why I gave it four stars is because the mouths don't really move in the movie and at times make it difficult to figure out who is talking. I'm assuming this was a budget thing. Other than that I thought for a low budget documentary (relatively speaking as compared to Hollywood) Mr. Church did a fantastic job and I highly recommend it for any free thinkers that believe in America and the freedom and liberties provided to us from our founding fathers. For years I'm going to use Mr. Church's Documentaries as a tool to teach my children about America and how, why and what principles it was founded on.

This movie is a fantastic actual documentary. It is so refreshing to actually see a well researched, factual documentary (where the "facts" can actually be confirmed). All 3 of Mike's documentaries are well done. They are all done in a fun, interesting way so that you remember what you have heard/seen. I highly recommend these to anyone interested in truthful history.

I have listened to Mike on sirius for two years. I have to say that his show has educated me more than all of my many years in school. The Spirit of 76 was absolutely wonderful! My 6 year old son loves it as well. We have spent many Saturday mornings watching his favorite scenes. Highly recommended, you wont be disappointed. Thanks Mike Church for presenting history in a clear an enjoyable manner.

This compilation of Audio CD and DVD movie is quite possibly the most accurate telling of the trials and tribulations leading to the greatest charter ever to be forged for a nation. The U.S. Constitution.

In spite of Obama's view of the Constitution where he claims its "flawed" and a "charter of negative liberties"... The Framers clearly were attempting to prevent exactly what our current president is trying to do. There were those among the Framers that wanted what Obama is attempting to deliver... a NATIONAL Government, but there were those that wanted a limited FEDERAL Government. Mike Church's effort in telling this story makes clear the delineation between the two, and how the true "Federalists" won in the end and by its telling, makes stark why we need to return to that foundation.

This is a riveting documentary and exciting to listen too.

Recently, my wife and I attended the Army/Navy game in Philadelphia. As part of our trip. We listened to the "Spirit of 76" during the two hour trip. Prior to going to the stadium, we had lunch at the City Tavern, the "home away from home" for the Framers when they were not going about the affairs of building a nation, but they did discuss those affairs privately there. Mike mentions the discussions that went on at City Tavern, and you can't help but feel their presence when walking through history in such a place. Talking to the waiter about the documentary, he pointed to a room across the way and said, "Oh yes, they met in that room over there"... While we were sitting in the room that was the ballroom for George Washington on the eve of his Inauguration as president... I still get goosebumps.. :) (By the way, the food is fantastic! Recipes from the colonial period)

If you want to teach your children the true history of this nation's founding... this is the documentary to do it. You'll be surprised the difference between what actually happened vs. what they are being taught in school today.

5 Stars, Mike... Great Job! I have to order the Special Edition!

There is no better time in American (or global) history to tell this story. This is the most important part of US history, it needs to be understood by everyone, and needs to be understood now. Church's theatrical description of this story will be easily understood and appreciated by all. I will listen to it several times, as I have the two previous stories (Fame of Our Fathers and Road to Independence) by the King Dude.