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 Press Release – “Spies in Crinoline”
This is a documentary based on the life of Antonia Ford during the Civil War. The script is based on Karla Vernon’s 2006 novel, The Spy in Crinoline. Civil War spy, Laura Ratcliff, who was also a Fairfax County, Virginia, resident, will be featured. Making documentary films about early American history presents obvious challenges: there are few photographs and no films of the period and no living witnesses to describe events, but there are many other visual elements to work with. Every sophomore history major is introduced to a truism, “No source, no history.” Yet in textbooks, popular literature and television, that essential insight is often lost. As Natalie Davis has observed, filmmakers too often present history as something that “simply exists out there, and is available to be drawn upon as legend.” She urges innovative techniques that remind viewers that “our knowledge of the past is something we struggle for; it comes from somewhere, is created, fought over, and changed.”
Based on historical fact, the scenes of discovery divulged are laced with many dramatizations and reenactments. As the story unfolds, the viewer will come to know more about Antonia Ford and Laura Ratcliff. The scenes and narrative presentations depict espionage, political intrigue, imprisonment, love and marriage, and death. We created dramatic sequences that are authentic in period dress, furnishings, sounds, and mannerisms. Rich details of 19th century everyday life will be built into the dramatic sequences of the film. The finished documentary is loaded with narratives, graphics, commentary, and authentic stills. What makes The Spy in Crinoline different is the story, though based on fact, will have extensive dramatization throughout. It is promised that it is not only historically sound, but it is also very entertaining.
Mention of Antonia Ford’s interesting life has largely been ignored in history. Antonia Ford graduated from college with a Mistress of English Literature degree, and through her beautiful and poetic letters has left us a glimpse of what Civil War years were like for residents of Fairfax Courthouse. She was imprisoned for being a spy, and fell in love with a northern officer, Major Joseph Willard, owner of Willard’s hotel in Washington City. Antonia was then sent south for prisoner exchange, and the mechanics of exchange meant that she had to make her way home from City Point, near Petersburg, Virginia. Meanwhile, Willard, who was married, had to obtain a divorce and resign his commission in order to marry Antonia. She reciprocated by signing an Oath of Allegiance. All of these events make Antonia perhaps the most interesting female spy of the Civil War. Another interesting female spy was Laura Ratcliff, a Herndon, Virginia resident. During the war she would frequently meet John Mosby and exchange intelligence information at the location referred to as “Mosby’s Rock,” located a short distance from her farm. The specific goals of the project is to educate audiences, nationally as well as internationally, on life during the mid-19th century in Fairfax County, Virginia, local Civil War events, and to portray the lives of Antonia Ford and Laura Ratcliff, Confederate spies.
BLM Productions is very active in the creation of historical documentaries depicting events during the Civil War:
Previous documentaries filmed at various battlefields during reenactments, and at numerous historical locations - interior and exterior, and national and county parks:
The First Hundred Years, The National Zoological Park Police (1988), for the Smithsonian Institute.
The Consequences of War (2001), filmed on location at the Old Stone House, Manassas, Virginia.
The Battle of Cedar Creek (1999), filmed on location.
The First Battle of Manassas (2004) received the Communicator Award 2004, and the prestigious Telly Award 2005 (both international awards).
The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) received the Videographer Award 2006 and The Communicator Award 2006 (both international awards). For more information contact: Bert Morgan, PO Box 223313, Chantilly, VA 20153-3313 Ph: 703-378-9743
www.blmproductions.com or e-mail: bertlmorgan1@yahoo.com
BLM Productions Press Release BLM Productions is creating a new feature length drama about the life of Elizabeth Van Lew, titled, "Crazy Bet". The production script is in re-write and BLM Productions is seeking funding. The film is slated for production 2012. Elizabeth Van Lew, born in Richmond, Virginia was the daughter of a prominent business man. She lived in a large three story mansion on Church Hill. Elizabeth was educated in PA. One might think she would be a proper southern lady, but , that was not the case. Elizabeth hated slavery and war. The townsfolk and her neighbors also had negative thoughts about her allegiance to the "southern cause" regarding secession. Miss Van Lew was considered by her neighbors as a Union sympathizer. Life in Richmond was difficult for her. Yet dissimulation, it seems clear, was actually the quality that she possessed above all others. Without it she could not have bribed farmers, used Confederate clerks and attorneys, maintained lasting contact with secret service men, and helped prisoners to escape. At times Miss Lizzie could be acid-tongued, scalding in her contempt; again she was gentle and flattering when it helped her. Early in Elizabeth's life she remarked, "From the time I knew right from wrong it was my sad privilege to differ in many things from the . . . opinions and principles of my locality." She described herself as "uncompromising , ready to resent what seemed wrong, quick and passionate but not bad tempered or vicious. . . . This has made my life sad and earnest." Miss Lizzy soon made plans, with the help of her mother, to make arrangements to get access to Libby Prison in Richmond to nurse the Union prisoners. There it started, plans were carried out to set up a network of spies that involved the U.S. Secret Service. She communicated directly with U.S. Grant and continued to until the end of the war. During her work as a spy for the Union, she was considered by the Confederate soldiers as a "bit odd" and they called her "Crazy Bet". Miss Lizzie used that persona to her advantage, hiding in plain site, was able to create one of the most elaborate spy networks consisting of exchanging information, assisting in prison breaks, conducting an "underground network", and arranging the placement of a Union spy at the home of the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis. Crazy Bet was considered as one of the most important spies of the Civil War. This feature length drama follows her life during the Civil War years and after. Funding for this film drama is still in progress. If anyone would like to be a part of the creation of this film drama please contact Bert Morgan at bertlmorgan1@yahoo.com or call at 703-378-9743 |
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bertlmorgan1@yahoo.com |
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