Remembering the 162nd anniversary of The Battle of Franklin and preservation. The Franklin Theatre will present a rare large-screen viewing of Robert Lee Hodge’s Emmy-award winning documentary The Battle of Franklin twice on Sunday, November 29th at 1:30 pm and 6 pm.
At the 1:30 pm Hodge will discuss the making of the film for 30 minutes before showing the award winning documentary.
Starting at 6 pm there will be a tribute to best-selling author and preservationist, Robert Hicks. Following the remembrance there will be a brief intermission before the film is presented. Hodge said, “Robert Hicks was key to the historic greenspace reclamation of parts of the Franklin battlefield landscape. Kudos to him!” The author of Window of the South mentioned several years ago of Hodge’s film that, “It’s just great cinematography… The film very much captures the emotion that I would envision was felt at the Battle of Franklin.” After the Robert Hicks’ tribute there will be a brief intermission then the film presentation.
Shown on PBS, The Battle of Franklin film has gotten many accolades from the experts -- Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, Ed Bearss, said, “One of the best, if not the best, documentaries I have seen on a Civil War battle. Not since Ken Burns’ monumental PBS production, The Civil War, have I seen better. . . Hodge’s film is a great primer to understand the Battle of Franklin.”
A Booklist review stated that Hodge’s film is, ". . . an exceptional program for both students and Civil War buffs . . . worthy to be alongside filmmaker Ken Burns' acclaimed The Civil War.”Historian and CEO of The Battle of Franklin Trust, Eric Jacobson, said, “. . . it remains one of the best and most balanced visual depictions of the Battle of Franklin ever made . . . and never fails to evoke a multitude of emotions.? From the musical score to the re-enactment footage, to the careful way in which accounts of the battle are interwoven, the film never lags.? The opening scenes are exceptionally powerful, and the conclusion is near perfection.”
Historian, Thomas Cartwright, stated, “This Emmy award-winning DVD truly does justice to Franklin. The scenes depicted herein are as close as anyone will ever wish to be to that vortex of hell.”
One-third of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards protection of the Franklin battlefield.
The showing of the film and his other efforts have generated over $50,000 for battlefield preservation. “Franklin is a model for reclamation; it is great to contribute to the effort. Part of the inspiration to continue in preservation efforts is because of Robert Hicks,” Hodge said.