HERITAGE
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Year Published: 1940’
Format: 16mm
Description: Directed by Art Scott and produced by Ted Robinson in the mid 1940’s, "Heritage" is an animated short that warns American citizens against anti-civil behavior and the dangers of totalitarianism. The story follows Tom Allman ("all man"), an average citizen who is overcome by contempt for the pressures of the modern world and is jailed after continued unruly and uncivil behavior. Allman is then taught the importance of morals, religion, and civil rights within the context of law and governance, witnessing how the lack of such things can lead to the loss of individualism in totalitarianism. Ultimately, Allman comes to recognize this, reflects on his behavior, and reenters society as a moral and civil citizen. The short animated film was funded in part by three different religious or religion affiliated organizations, the Anti Defamation League of B’nai B’rith (now referred to as the Anti Defamation League), Catholic Youth Organization Chicago, United Christian Youth Movement. The film was likely a response to the rise of totalitarianism across the globe during the 1900’s, and more specifically, its increased prominence during World War II. Camera zooms in through space, eventually focusing on an animated Earth (0:58). Scene changes around primitive man in leopard skin outfit (1:20). Animation pans to show various environments and forms of civilization (1:43). Camera zooms in on a quaint neighborhood home and its mailbox (1:54). A man named Tom Allman sits at a table eating cereal and reading the newspaper (2:04). Allman grows increasingly frustrated and expresses outrage at the table (2:16). Allman transforms into an anthropomorphic lion (2:48). Allman, still in his lion form, rushes to work (2:58). Allman speeds in his car, breaking traffic laws and endangering a traffic cop (3:07). Allman pushes past vendors and charity workers on sidewalk (3:30). Allman tries to push his way into crowded elevator but is restrained (3:42). Allman complains about being placed in jail (4:08). Allman wearily transforms back into his old self (4:27). Allman transforms into the leopard skin clad man from before (4:34) Allman fends off leopard at campfire (4:40). Allman befriends other cavemen and builds a community (4:45). Allman prays under spotlight while various "God given rights" scroll on screen (5:06). A book titled "History of Man" is shown, depicting the creation of the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the signing of the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the "joint statement of Catholics, Jews, and Protestants" (5:36). Allman stands on a diagram depicting the interplay between civil rights, laws, and government (6:05). The diagram then morphs to depict totalitarianism which swallows Allman (6:28). The "state’s" hand points at a baby (6:34). The "state’s" hand points at Allman as he balances on a tightrope (6:38) Various depictions of Allman in a totalitarian state (6:49). Various places of worship are demonstrated to be forbidden (7:00). Allman emerges from the totalitarian diagram on a platform labeled "Human Rights" (7:14). Tom Allman is once again shown at the table, but this time is drinking coffee contently (7:40). Allman happily commutes to work and waves at a traffic officer (7:43). Allman votes in an election (7:52). Allman donates to the hospital fund (7:58). Allman purchases oranges from a vendor (8:15). Allman waits in line at the elevator (8:21). Allman knowingly looks at a poster with a lion on it (8:35). Camera zooms out from Tom Allman’s home and back out to the Earth (8:41).
Complete Record:
Transcription
[Music] [Music] [Music] out of time and space God created the universe and all that is part of it upon the earth God placed man and the beasts of the jungle and in his wisdom he created a difference between man and beast from the beginning man was given certain natural rights which could not be surrendered or transferred these rights and the responsibilities which go along with them belong to man whether he lives in the mountains or the desert the jungle or the Arctic a big city or just an average town like this we're an average house lived an average fellow named Tom all man now Tom all man possessed the same human rights as everyone else he had always been aware of these rights and add valued them but one day a strange thing happened like many of us Tom was in a disturbed state of mind his son and the military service now look what you've done domestic tension was economic problems and the headlines controls where's it all gonna win we've no freedom anymore talk about progress why the beasts of the jungle have more freedom than guys like me I'd be a lot better off if I was a wild animal yeah out of ways flatfoot [Music] [Music] nonsense borrow my way [Music] going up cars pollster yeah watch me make room what does he think he's doing there's a strange thing happened to Tom Oliver he had forgotten something they can't do this to me I've got my rights you seem to have forgotten that all men have rights Tom god-given rights that's what distinguishes man from the beasts of the jungle man possesses rights and responsibilities that go with them and that has never changed all through history just just picture yourself as the first man top you have the right to live and the responsibility to defend that right the right to Liberty without interfering with the liberty of others the right to equality and the responsibility to respect the brotherhood of man the right to progress to better yourself and the responsibility to maintain your dignity human being the right to worship in your own fashion and the right to conscience which is the right to your innermost beliefs [Music] these are some of the human rights Tom all man little granted you but some men have always tried to deprive other men public so throughout the history of mankind these rights have had to be restated and confirmed time and time again they appear in the statement of the Ten Commandments they are found in the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount they are inscribed in the Magna carpa the Declaration of Independence the Bill of Rights and in our time and a joint statement of Catholics Jews and Protestants these rights are a hub around which society and government grow out of them comes civil rights as a protection against oppression this protection is established through laws governments put these laws into action in a society where rights are lost the government takes the form of a totalitarian state and the individual is swallowed up the right to life itself is at the mercy of the powerful state there is no freedom the state controls jobs wages unions business property and thoughts there is no equality as a person the only thing that matters is your value to the state true progress is impossible on the totalitarian credit where the state makes itself all-powerful people are kept from the worship and knowledge of God moral and spiritual values cease to have any importance throughout civilization man has engaged in a constant struggle to maintain his human rights against totalitarianism [Music] today that struggle continues throughout the world you Tom Allman are helping keep this a free world when you remember your human rights when you recognize the freedoms you have and maintain them in your daily living your right to life and the right of others to it when you respect the forces of law and order and indicate your willingness to share in the task of defending our liberties when you are mindful of your right to worship in your own way and when you help others regardless of how they may worship when you remember your own worth as a human being and your responsibility to recognize human dignity in others when you recognize and respect the right of everyone to equality regardless of race or color yes when you keep these rights and obligations in mind Tom all man and do your share to help others realize how far man is above the beasts in the jungle then you preserve freedom in your home and in your community and when all men recognize their rights and obligations there will be much hope for human progress and a world of peace [Music]
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