HIS LIFE AND TIMES

Year Published: 1932

Format: 16mm

Description: Made in 1932 in honor of the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth, this silent film is one of a series that chronicles the life and times of the great general and president. The film was released by Eastman Classroom Films and shown in schools around the United States. Some scenes from the film were apparently created specifically for this film, others such as Washington crossing the Delaware River were drawn from feature films made in that era. In this episode "Conquering the Wilderness", a young Washington is shown at his family's Ferry Farm along the banks of the Potomac River, attending school, receiving his commission to go West and explore territories outside of Maryland and Virginia in the Ohio Country, and interacting with the haughty French. At 8:30 the Governor is moved by Washington's report and sends an army under General Braddock to oust the French. In the ensuing battle, Braddock is killed and Washington eulogizes him. Washington then returns to Mount Vernon at the end of the film.

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