Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot | |
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Directed by | George Seaton |
Written by | Emmet Lavery |
Produced by |
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Cinematography | Haskell B. Boggs |
Edited by | Alma Macrorie |
Music by | Bernard Herrmann |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 34 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot, often called The Patriot, is a 1957 orientation film produced by Paramount Pictures and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. As of 2014, it is the longest-running movie, having been shown continually at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center since March 31, 1957. On September 20, 2002, it was seen by its 30 millionth viewer.[1]
Overview
As museum orientation films go, Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot is a landmark, both because of its high production values and structure.
It was filmed in May 1956 at Colonial Williamsburg.
Moreover, where previous museum orientation films (and many present day examples) are simple
A pair of specially-designed theaters, each seating 250 persons, were built for showing the film as part of the new visitors center being built at the time.[3] It was previewed for an audience including the Governor of Virginia Thomas Stanley and members of the Virginia General Assembly on the evening of March 30, and formally opened March 31, 1957.[3]
In the early 1960s, the film was translated into several languages for personal speakers that could be used by international visitors.[2]
Showings of the film were temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic[4], but have since returned. It currently airs four times a day at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.[5]
Restoration
By the 1990s the film was showing its age, with severe fading problems in the original negatives and differing shrinkage rates in the separation masters that had been made as a backup.[6] As a result, even new prints looked no better than a 16mm orientation film would have looked.
In 2001, an extensive digital restoration effort was begun,[6] the result of which debuted (in relatively conventional 70mm DTS prints) in 2004. This is generally regarded as coming as close as present-day technology permits to replicate the clarity of the film as originally shown in the late 1950s.[6] It is estimated that despite the 35 minute running-time of this film, the restoration required enough digital storage to hold several feature-length films.
See also
- Jack Lord filmography
- List of films about the American Revolution
- List of television series and miniseries about the American Revolution
References
- ^ "30 million visitors experience "The Story of a Patriot"". Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8078-3343-8.
- ^ a b Crowther, Bosley (April 1, 1957). "Movie Review: Williamsburg, The Story of A Patriot". New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Longest showing motion picture in history, 'Story of a Patriot' at Colonial Williamsburg, paused by COVID-19". dailypress.com. Daily Press. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Dates & Times Film: Williamsburg – The Story of a Patriot". colonialwilliamsburg.org. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c McCluney Jr., Richard L. (Summer 2004). "Remastering a Masterwork: Restoration of "The Patriot"". Colonial Williamsburg Journal. Retrieved February 19, 2014.