The American Film Company

COMMENTS

• 
  01/12/2012 at 4:50pm

  Lray1

  I've been reading the discussions with Dr. Larson on her web site, and I have a few thoughts. Historian that you are, I differ with you on a couple of issues. First, the evidence presented by Mr. Weichmann and Mr. Lloyd was not that strong - just managed by the prosecution. They themselves seemed questionable as to veracity and motive. Mrs. Surratt was not going to receive a fair trial. That was a military kangaroo court representing itself as a vehicle of justice. (I am surprised that Dr. Mudd himself was not executed) Incidentally, newly-President Johnson, himself a Southerner, was on very thin ice, inasmuch as Secretary Stanton was perhaps the single most powerful person in the country at that time, and probably would not have bucked the Secretary
  Second, though it may be that Mr. Aiken was newly-minted and relatively inexperienced, Clarence Darrow himself would not have gained her freedom. I refer you all, and you, Dr. Larson, to the closing argument in the case by Mr. Aiken. It's listed in some annals as one of the world's most powerful speeches. I respect your grasp of history, but we all know it is written by the winners, and since we can only read what is written, it's subject to multiple interpretations.

  from Frederick Aiken: A Rookie Defender
• 
  01/03/2012 at 7:03pm

  laverge-01

  Mr. Beaven,
  
  I am director of the Surratt House Museum in Maryland and also friends with some lateral descendants of the Herolds. I would love to have you contact me. laurie.verge@pgparks.com

  from Brig. Gen. Joseph Holt - His Role as Chief Prosecutor in the Military Tribunal
• 
  12/28/2011 at 1:15pm

  historybuffcbt

  I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of "The Conspirator". It motivated me to study many websites, books and links to information that I would not have ever considered otherwise. The movie and the premise of The American Film Company has brilliantly accomplished their purpose to educate about little-known historical stories that were part of momentus events formative to the United States. Thank you, thank you for staying so close to the true events and true people! Thank you also for avoiding obvious screen-play embellishments that often twist or shade the truth of the actual circumstances and people. Robert Redford is a master director! Kevin Kline in a rare dramatic role was great as well as the rest of the cast! I am very impressed and I look eagerly forward to the next finished project!! Keep up the excellent work!!

  from Brig. Gen. Joseph Holt - His Role as Chief Prosecutor in the Military Tribunal
• 
  12/26/2011 at 7:21pm

  Warren_Beaven

  I have joined the discussion because I am a descendant of George Isaac Herold, first cousin to David E. Herold. I am very knowledgeable aabout the Heorld family both before and after the War Between the States. I appreciate Mr. Redford and the production team's careful use of historical settings.

  from Brig. Gen. Joseph Holt - His Role as Chief Prosecutor in the Military Tribunal
• 
  12/17/2011 at 7:20pm

  auntieamy40

  The overthrow of the last Queen of Hawaii, Lililukolani would be wonderful to see come to life on the big screen.

  from The Best American History Movies NEVER Made