BERRY, BROOKS, POWELL PRESENT ‘BLACK PATRIOTS’: Upcoming PBS film shines light on the contributions of African Americans in uniform.

December 22, 2009

     *Halle Berry hosts an upcoming PBS film that celebrates the untold saga of African Americans’ courageous service to their country.      

       “For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots,” premiering in February as part of Black History Month, brings to life, completely and for the first time, over two hundred years of heroic exploits of African American fighting men and women.  

       Through the combination of personal writings and memorabilia, historical text, rare photographs, archival materials, location footage and reenactments, the film documents African Americans’ sacrifice and service, from the Revolutionary War to the current battle against global terrorism.        

       Their compelling stories are recounted through dramatic, off-camera readings by more than 40 talented entertainers and public figures, including:  Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Susan Sarandon, Louis Gossett, Jr., Ossie Davis, Robert Duvall, Danny Glover, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Elliott, Isaac Hayes, John Goodman, Jesse L. Martin, Peter Coyote, Ice-T, James Garner, Robert Townsend, Alan Rickman, Ruby Dee, John Amos, Eriq La Salle, Angela Bassett, Chris Cooper, Alfre Woodard, Cliff Robertson, Blair Underwood, Charles Dutton, Kris Kristofferson, Donald Sutherland,  Isaiah Washington and many others.      

       The four-hour, two-part HD film is narrated by Avery Brooks, features an introduction by Colin Powell and choral arrangements by Andrae Crouch. It will also be released on DVD on February 9, 2010      

        “‘For Love of Liberty’ will forever change perceptions about the vital role African Americans have played during the entire course of U.S. military history,” said Gossett, Jr., also an executive producer.        

       “Our goal is to raise public consciousness about this extraordinary and little-known story,” said Frank Martin, director, co-writer and co-producer.  ”The triumphant theme that echoes across the centuries – the price of liberty – is universal, timeless and meaningful for all people.”