New Liberty Videos are directed and produced by Brian Barkley, a veteran of
the film industry. Brian worked for Universal studios as an editor (on shows
like “B.J. and the Bear” and “Quincy.” He began producing films with a
Christian worldview after he became a Christian in 1977. This film was directed
and edited by Brian Barkley, and his wife Marylin helped to produce it. The
film we received for review, Anthem for a Nation is one of a selection of six films sent to TOS Review Crew Members.
The others include The
Forbidden Book, Mysteries
of the Dead Sea Scrolls, A Nation
Adrift, Teaching
Origins Objectively and Warriors
of Honor.
Our DVD contained the main
selection, Anthem for a Nation which runs for about 42 minutes, as well as two special bonus features which also run about 42 minutes together, for a total of about one hour and twenty minutes. There is a
variety of music used throughout, from “This is My Country” in the opening to
Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” in the last main scene, as well as some
pieces that I assume were written specifically for this film. The
cinematography is stunning through much of the film. Here is a short preview:
There are 10 scenes, which I
will summarize below, listing approximate lengths for each.
1. Opening (2.5 min) includes sweeping American vistas, underneath lovely, Patriotic music.
2. America the Beautiful (5 min) is filled with
historical concepts and information about the beginning of our nation, with
more patriotic music and historical photography.
3. One Nation Under God (6.5 min) has a soundtrack that
isn’t my favorite style, but it is followed by one of the best quotes by French
philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville when he came to
America to discover what made it so great. His conclusion includes a warning to
us all: “America is great because
America is good. And, if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be
great.”
References to God on many buildings in our Capitol are detailed, as well as quotes from many of the Founding Fathers. It shows that the foundation of our Declaration of Independence and indeed 94% of the ideas in the Constitution are based either directly or indirectly on the Bible. It amazes me people can say that our country was not founded on Christian Principals, when shown these facts.
References to God on many buildings in our Capitol are detailed, as well as quotes from many of the Founding Fathers. It shows that the foundation of our Declaration of Independence and indeed 94% of the ideas in the Constitution are based either directly or indirectly on the Bible. It amazes me people can say that our country was not founded on Christian Principals, when shown these facts.
4. A Christian Nation (8 min) Details some interesting
facts about our nation’s capitol and the thoughts and dedication to God of our
Founding Fathers as they build the Capitol.
5. A Nation Adrift (2.5 min) Shares the beginnings of the
removal of Christian influences from the public sphere… Depending on what
discussions you’ve had with your children, you may wish to skip this section,
as it highlights the violence and immorality the sometimes runs rampant in out
schools, and society at large.
6. The War on the Unborn Child (3 min) This next section also has good information, but is one that you may wish to skip based
on the maturity of your children, and/or the topics that you have chosen to
discuss or leave to a later age. It ends with a dramatic bit that may (should?)
be disturbing, so use your judgment.
7. Have They Died in Vain? (3.5 min) Honors those who
have died for our freedoms, and asks the question “Have They Died in Vain?”
Have we preserved the nation that they died for?
8. America You’re Too Young to Die (2 min) Another
section with music that isn’t my favorite style, but carries a good message
while it shows clips of Americans from many walks of life…
9. The Rebirth of America (4.5 min) promotes personal
responsibility, and calls Christians to repent from their sins, humble
themselves, and pray (with another choral track that doesn’t move me,
unfortunately).
10. God Bless America (5
min) After being moved in the previous sections from patriotism to concern to
despair to conviction, this final section ends with hope, and a return to
National Pride.
Hansi runs about 15 minutes. Hansi lived in the German Czech border land. She
went through the Nazi Youth Leadership School for 5 years, and ended up in a
Communist Labor camp after the war. The piece has a Graphic novel running under
Hansi’s audio, as she tells her journey from brainwashed Nazi to strong
Christian.
Kitty Werthman of Austria runs close to ½ hour and tells Kitty’s story from her childhood through the 2nd World War. She narrates her story over a secondary story of new reels and film showing Hitler’s “peaceful” take-over of Austria, and the events that followed.
Kitty Werthman of Austria runs close to ½ hour and tells Kitty’s story from her childhood through the 2nd World War. She narrates her story over a secondary story of new reels and film showing Hitler’s “peaceful” take-over of Austria, and the events that followed.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I felt that there were portions of this DVD that were spectacular, striking, and appropriate for all ages. There were a few that I feel definitely need to be watched through your family’s own filter, but over-all, this could be a great resource for a High School Government or history curriculum, and used more sparingly for younger ages.
Not So Nutty Nitty Gritty I felt that there were portions of this DVD that were spectacular, striking, and appropriate for all ages. There were a few that I feel definitely need to be watched through your family’s own filter, but over-all, this could be a great resource for a High School Government or history curriculum, and used more sparingly for younger ages.
- Company: New Liberty Videos
- Product: Anthem for a Nation
- Ages: Listed G (Personal opinion is older)
- Price: $19.95
Blessings~
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Thanks so much for letting me know you were here. I appreciate "thoughtful" comments. :)