Spirit of '76 (2009 Film)
Writer director Mike Church, the creator of the heralded documentaries The Road to Independence and The Fame of Our Fathers, presents The Spirit of 76. The Spirit of 76 tells the real story of the writing and ratification of the Constitution including the worlds first portrayal of the most important yet untold piece of the story: the Virginia Ratification Convention. Patrick Henry, who made famous the phrase, “Give me liberty, or give me death" gives a tour de force deconstruction of the dangers posed by the new Constitution if it was not amended.
Plot
In 2009, the United States of America is looking for answers about our future. In 1776, we were given all the tools to guide us. Today, Mike Church brings you the definitive look at our past, how it relates to our present and what it can mean for our future. As the story goes, it was 101 degrees in 1787 Philadelphia yet our Founding Fathers endured. With the energy and wisdom of James Madison, they wrote the Constitution. Madison and Alexander Hamilton then wrote the Federalist papers, which won over the hearts and minds of most Americans and the Constitution was quickly ratified to the delight of millions. Sounds like a nice story and it would make a great movie, but there s one problem. It isn't true.
Production
The Spirit of '76 was completed by Mike Church and his team in November 2009, it will be released on DVD in December. It is available on his website and on Amazon.
Cast & Crew
Cast in Order of Appearance
Ron Samuels - John Marshall
Dan Zullo - William Brockenbrough
Bo Walker - John Taylor of Caroline
Don Wilbanks - Judge Spencer Roane
Mike Church - As Himself
Madison Church - As Herself
Reagan Church - As Herself
Steve Cook - James Madison
Michael Weingartner - Alexander Hamilton
Jerrod Knight - James Wilson
James Parker - Edmund Randolph
Michael Weingartner - Charles Pinckney
George McNerlin - George Washington
Steve Cook - Gouverneur Morris
Nathaniel Gorham - Ken Maxon
Sal D'Aleo - Elbridge Gerry
Jay Thomas - Ben Franklin
Nicholas Reed - George Mason
Steve Taylor - Judge Robert Yates
Ron Jordan - John Dickinson
Steve Taylor - John Lansing
Mac Church - William Patterson
Edmund I. Lee - Dan Zullo
Poli Sci Grad - Jessica Drake
Thomas Jefferson - Jimm Mosher
Little Jimmy Whittle - Michael Ecker
Richard Matthews - Rufus King
Dylan R. Marshall - Oliver Elsworth
Dylan R. Marshall - Roger Sherman
Jessica Drake - Mrs. Eliza Powell
Andrew Wilcow - Luther Martin
Skip Nelson - Gunning Bedford
Jerry Barmash - George Nicholas
Wally Steele - Governor George Clinton
Wally Steele - Governor Edmund Pendleton
Russ Clubb - Clinton's Valet
Chazz Smith - Post Rider
Jean Heatherington - Patrick Henry
Sal D'Aleo - Henry Lee of Westmoreland
Mac Church - Colonel William Grayson
Director of Photography - Clint Stroman
Director of Photography - Ryan Burney
Camermen
Ryan Burney
Clint Stroman
Sound Grip - Hallie Martin
Script Supervisor - Candace Church
Sound Design by Mike Church, Jimm Mosher and Alan Grossman
Original Score composed and performed by Jimm Mosher & Alan Grossman
Original Artwork for Animation - Craig Holloway
Additional Artwork - Martel White, Mike Church, Clint Stroman, James Parker, Monique Bergeron
Title Design by Mike Church
Poster Artist - Kunarion
Promotions and Marketing - Cynthia Frawley
Sound Recording Engineer - Mike Church
Sound Recording Assistant - Hallie Martin
Title Sequence conceived by Mike Church & Clint Stroman
Title Sequence Illustrator Martel White
Title Sequence Animator Clint Stroman
Audio Mastering by Studio B Mastering
Historical Consultant - Dr. Kevin Gutzman PhD
==External Links==