John Huston directs this film giving relevance and life to the hallowed buildings and ground making up Independence National Historical Park. Through vignettes, the people and events are re-created for the present-day visitor. Featuring Eli Wallach as Benjamin Franklin.
Acting
Eli Wallach's chaotic Franklin energy.
Direction
Huston making a park brochure cinematic.
Production
1976 bicentennial propaganda hits different.
Director
John Huston
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was commissioned for the Bicentennial and originally played at the park's visitor center on loop. Huston also narrated the companion 'Weir Farm' film that same year.
In 1976, Hollywood's old guard (Huston, Wallach) were essentially doing civics homework while New Hollywood was reinventing cinema entirely elsewhere.
US
