Here are clips from the new Director's Cut DVD. The program was completely re-edited, updated and includes a new music soundtrack that I composed. Black Easter was aired on The Discovery Channel and is the recipient of two Telly Awards for excellence. If you would like to purchase the full length documentary please contact me at: whiteriverpics@yahoo.com .
Program description: On April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., President Abraham Lincoln was shot and fatally wounded by a popular young actor, John Wilkes Booth.
Booth murdered a president who, against almost impossible odds, had led the nation through a devastating war against itself, a war that -- at a costs of more than half a million lives -- had preserved the principles of democratic self-government and ended slavery in America. Was John Wilkes Booth a madman? Did he kill Lincoln for revenge? Was he an agent of a massive conspiracy?
Black Easter, written by William Hanchett, one of the nation's leading authorities on the assassination, is the first documentary to explain Lincoln's murder in the context of the Civil War. In doing so, it leads to a new understanding of the Civil War and of Lincoln's place in American History.
Most Americans still do not fully appreciate the nature of Abraham Lincoln's greatness or of his contributions to the spread of democracy in the world.
How was it possible for a boy born and raised in the wilderness, who was without formal education and whose parents were only semi-literate, to become the nation's leader at the time of its gravest crisis?
How could he lead the divided North to victory in the Civil War which the South was expected to win? How could he free the slaves even though public opinion in the North was opposed to emancipation?
Black Easter explores the myths and mysteries of the assassination, answers these and many other questions and leads to a new appreciation of the Lincoln the president and Lincoln the man.
Excerpts from reviews:
Black Easter is a fresh and engaging look at the greatest murder in American History. It should sweep all earlier films on the assassination from the shelves.
~ TIME-LIFE Books
It is impossible to look at Black Easter without experiencing a powerful mixture of awe and sadness. It's fascinating, disturbing and utterly unforgettable!
~ Lisa Mateas, Senior VP, Turner Network Television
Black Easter sets a new high standard for documentary presentation. The focus is always on the living Abraham Lincoln -- his humble origins, his career in Illinois, his great accomplishments, his inspiring words. Motifs of cold rain and Good Friday envelop the long night of Lincoln's ebb. The moment of Lincoln's death is especially movingly portrayed, visually and musically.
~ Paul H. Verduin, Editor, The Lincolnian
One of the most remarkable features of this new documentary is that so much information could be packed into a film of only fifty minutes duration ... as the camera explores the Lincoln Memorial we see Lincoln in his modern context, "sitting there, like the conscience of the nation," and his place in history is eloquently described...it would be difficult to equal Black Easter.
~ Frederick Hatch, Editor, Journal of the Lincoln Assassination
Anyone who wants to learn more about the assassination should watch this film...it would do more than most books to help students of all ages understand and remember one of the greatest tragedies in American history.
~ Civil War Times Illustrated Magazine
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The Assassination of Abraham Lincolnby norfair1861,565 views
I've watched the entire video several times. There is an early version of this which is great, but the updated release has more music, more video enhancements and a way to put you there when and as it happened. If you are a history buff like I am You would be a fool not to add this to your collection.
StevenC1956 3 months ago
This program from Gary Beebe is fantastic! I have seen the full version. The script is also written by William Hanchett, one of the world's top most authorities on the subject. The soundtrack is so beautiful and so much nicer than what you hear on most documentaries. Gary Beebe did the soundtrack too! Best documentary on the Assassination out there!
SullivanSleuth 3 months ago
Bravo Gary! Well Done!
Litlfeathr44 4 months ago