This color educational/promotional film from Copley is about the history of the United States Military Academy at West Point on the Hudson River, and its contributions to the nation. It was part of the “Rediscovering America” series. It is hosted by actor William Shatner. Copyright 1974. It was directed by Ocee Ritch, written by Jim Gilbert and Ocee Ritch, filmed by J. Barry Herron, Dan Yarussi, Jay Skidmore and Ray Nankey, edited by Stuart O’Brien, and produced by Howard Matson and Art Evans.
Opening: Aerial shot of the Statue of Liberty. Titles: Re-Discovering America: West Point on the Hudson (:09-1:29). Aerial shot of West Point. Painted stills show: a dirt road near Tarrytown, NY with a horseman on it, midway through the Revolutionary War Americans block the way of the horseman who is British. He is Major John Andre of the British Army. The men have guns and search him. A letter written and signed by Benedict Arnold. William Shatner is our host (1:30-3:05). Hudson River. Map of the Hudson and surrounding states. General Washington. A ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flag. British troops. British go down the Hudson River. British troops on the march. The history of the Hudson, George Washington, and the war are explained. A cannon up high. Wiiliam Shatner shows a chain. Major General Benedict Arnold. Painted stills show Arnold, maps (3:06-5:38). Robinson House. Sir Henry pays Benedict Arnold for the surrender of the fort of West Point. British ship, the Vulture. British meet with Arnold. John Andre hid out on land, until he was captured. Tappan, NY, Continental Army Headquarters building. A sign for the Trial of Andre (5:39-7:39). Arnold left and joined the British ship, the Vulture when he heard Andre was arrested. William Shatner speaks on parade day, families watch the festivities. West Point Cadets march, while Shatner stands nearby (7:40-8:46). Aerial shot of West Point, which is an Army Post. President Washington. A statue of Polish-Lithuanian General Tadeusz Kościuszko at the Military Academy at West Point. American flag being raised. President Jefferson (8:47-10:04). West Point grounds. Painting of West Point. A dam, barge on a waterway. Paintings of men surveying, a harbor, coastal lighthouse, railroad. Railroad construction in Russia. Aerial shot of the U.S. Capitol (10:05-11:18). A crane, an explosion, railroad. Panama Canal being built. Atomic research energy program. Men walk. Shatner walks around West Point. Statue of Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, who, while at West Point Thayer established numerous traditions and policies. Cadets wear gray. West Point cadets watch Annapolis / Naval Academy Midshipmen vs West Point in a football grudge match at Michie Stadium. The crowd goes wild as Army Black Knights score (11:19-13:29). Cadets march. West Point band plays and marches. Cadets play baseball, run, play tennis and soccer. Department of Mechanics Laboratory. Painting of Robert E. Lee, Picture of President Eisenhower, Astronauts Frank Borman, Buzz Aldrin, and Ed White (13:30-15:04). Shatner walks through West Point. Buildings. The architecture and statues of West Point. Duty, Honor, Country is the school’s motto. Aerial shot of a statue and the school’s grounds (15:05-16:54). End credits (16:55-17:23).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
