"What a great piece of historical research
and documentary film making!"
Linda and I travelled to the Sandstone NPS visitor center to watch the film on Sunday 9 27 13. And we're glad we did.
This is some of the best West Virginia and Civil War history I have ever seen. It's also a great southern mountains geography lesson for hikers and explorers. Jon's maps and pictures and reenactments and music make the film enjoyable and the history understandable.
I hope this gets shown on WVPBS. It should probably be shown in two parts. It's long for one sitting. - Dan Doyle
"WOW! -- what a stunningly beautiful production!!!! Your Averell's Raiders & the 35th Star is fantastic. I am so glad that I waited to see it on the big screen." --Dr. David Bard
I greatly enjoyed the ‘world premiere’ of “Averell’s Raiders & the 35th Star” last night in Hinton.
Some of the highlights of the movie for me were learning of the foundation of the WV government as a continuation of Virginia government in the place of the then “defunct” (seceded) Virginian government. I enjoyed the commentaries from local historians, the actor who portrayed Averell, and the relatives of Averill. I appreciated the reading of letters by the Droop Mountain park ranger. I was pleased to learn of the many slaves who left bondage under the protection of Averell. My favorite scenes were those depicting the newlyweds and the bride 20 years later. I especially enjoyed seeing the young man who had played the part of the groom walking in the street after the movie. My husband was able to comment to my sons, “Look, there is the groom who died.” There is a sense of pride and connection that you provided not only to us as viewers of the “world premiere,” but to all the actors and local historical experts who you employed in the movie’s production.
The movie demonstrated academic rigor and utilized primary sources effectively. . -- Cynthia Deighan
Good morning- we were glad to have gone to the movie last night-well done! I realized how very little I knew about WV history. Very professional job-I especially liked the art work. The one watercolorist, or maybe it was done in ink-but they somehow captured battles and movement with almost abstract patches of shapes-was amazing. Also have a strong visual memory of the one drawing of the soldiers going up the trail holding the horses by the tail and reins single file in the storm. It must be so satisfying to see all your work now in form, as this film. It was fun to hear Dr. Bard again-he had the right stuff, for sure.
-- Linda Bunce
Chris and I very much enjoyed the movie and appreciate your inviting us to the premiere showing. As we were driving home, Chris kept saying " I learned a lot" and "I never know that before". She was quite enthusiastic.
-- Michael A. Smith, Supt., Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
I learned more about WV history in that 2 hours than I did my entire primary and secondary education career. It was fascinating and I know there was stuff I missed. -Rosalie Griebel
I greatly enjoyed the ‘world premiere’ of “Averell’s Raiders & the 35th Star” last night in Hinton.
Some of the highlights of the movie for me were learning of the foundation of the WV government as a continuation of Virginia government in the place of the then “defunct” (seceded) Virginian government. I enjoyed the commentaries from local historians, the actor who portrayed Averell, and the relatives of Averill. I appreciated the reading of letters by the Droop Mountain park ranger. I was pleased to learn of the many slaves who left bondage under the protection of Averell. My favorite scenes were those depicting the newlyweds and the bride 20 years later. I especially enjoyed seeing the young man who had played the part of the groom walking in the street after the movie. My husband was able to comment to my sons, “Look, there is the groom who died.” There is a sense of pride and connection that you provided not only to us as viewers of the “world premiere,” but to all the actors and local historical experts who you employed in the movie’s production.
The movie demonstrated academic rigor and utilized primary sources effectively. . -- Cynthia Deighan
Good morning- we were glad to have gone to the movie last night-well done! I realized how very little I knew about WV history. Very professional job-I especially liked the art work. The one watercolorist, or maybe it was done in ink-but they somehow captured battles and movement with almost abstract patches of shapes-was amazing. Also have a strong visual memory of the one drawing of the soldiers going up the trail holding the horses by the tail and reins single file in the storm. It must be so satisfying to see all your work now in form, as this film. It was fun to hear Dr. Bard again-he had the right stuff, for sure.
-- Linda Bunce
Chris and I very much enjoyed the movie and appreciate your inviting us to the premiere showing. As we were driving home, Chris kept saying " I learned a lot" and "I never know that before". She was quite enthusiastic.
-- Michael A. Smith, Supt., Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
I learned more about WV history in that 2 hours than I did my entire primary and secondary education career. It was fascinating and I know there was stuff I missed. -Rosalie Griebel