03/13/2023
Eldridge Library features Emmy-nominated “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” and Q&A April 5
Award-winning actress Jessica Taylor portrayed Harriet Beecher Stowe in the Fourth Wall Films documentary's companion docudrama "Sons & Daughters of Thunder".
The Mid-America Emmy® nominated documentary “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” produced by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will be presented by the Scott County Library System: Eldridge Branch on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. A Q&A with the film producers will follow the 30-minute film. The event is sponsored by Friends of Eldridge Library.
“Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” tells the story of the famous writer’s life in Cincinnati, Ohio and how those life-changing experiences contributed to her best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Beecher-Stowe lived in Cincinnati between 1832 and 1850, and after her move to Maine, she adapted her observations and anti-slavery sentiment into America’s most influential novel.
Historians, writers and scholars providing insight into Harriet’s life include Pulitzer Prize winning author of “Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life”, Joan Hedrick.
“The Cincinnati years, I think, profoundly affected her,” said Hedrick. “Her early marriage, her early motherhood – I think it was hard for her to leave that sacred ground. When she moved there, she was a New Englander. When she went back East 18 years later, she was an American.”
Clips from Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning docudrama “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” are included in the documentary and feature acclaimed actors from the Quad Cities area including award-winning actress Jessica Taylor who portrays a young Harriet Beecher. The voice of Harriet Beecher Stowe was presented throughout the documentary by actress Dee Canfield of Moline. A number of historic sites in appear in the film, including the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, Illinois, the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling, Illinois and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” was partially funded by a grant from the Ohio Humanities, a State affiliate of The National Endowment for the Humanities.
Producers Kelly and Tammy Rundle are the owners of Fourth Wall Films, an Emmy® award-winning independent film production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.
The Rundles have won four Emmy® Awards, and received twelve Emmy® nominations for their documentary film work.
02/03/2023
"Thunder" showcased for 'Discover the Underground' series in Monroe, MI Feb. 10
Sons & Daughters of Thunder, a film by Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will screen at the The River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 S. Monroe Street in Monroe, Michigan on Friday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m. The special film event is in collaboration with the Discover The Underground series beginning February 1st-March 6th in collaboration with the Monroe Historical Society. The film is FREE to the public.
In 1834, if polite discussion about abolishing slavery was considered inappropriate among Americans in Northern states, then eighteen days of public student-sponsored debates on the divisive subject at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio were scandalous.
Thomas Alan Taylor (Theodore Weld).
Organized by Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor), one of the architects of the abolitionist movement, the shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher Stowe (Jessica Taylor) to the horrors of slavery.
Jaylen Marks (James Bradley).
When school trustees slapped a gag order on the "Lane Rebels," most of the students left the school in collective protest.
Inspired by the debates and her first-hand observations of slavery across the Ohio River, Harriet’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was described by President Abraham Lincoln as the book that started the Civil War.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. The award-winning film features an original score by William Campbell, the composer behind the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Lifeboat”.
Kimberly Kurtenbach Vanderginst (Catharine Beecher), Janos Horvath (Lyman Beecher) and Jessica Taylor (Harriet Beecher).
Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach Vanderginst who portrays Catharine Beecher in the film, cast the project. The film was shot by award-winning Director of Photography Kevin Railsback. Chris Ryder handled Sound and Visual Effects. Emily Busha was the film’s Costume Designer, circa 1834.
The producers note that the movie is not for young children, and the 85-minute film’s detailed discussions of slavery might suggest a PG-13 rating.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder won the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received three regional Emmy® nominations. For more information about Sons & Daughters of Thunder, visit www.LaneRebelsMovie.com.
06/28/2022
"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" Screening and History Event in Fayette, Ohio a Success
The Fayette Opera House screening of the Emmy® nominated movie Sons & Daughters of Thunder and history exhibit drew a large crowd of patrons of all ages on Saturday, June 25th.
The Bean Creek Valley History Center of Fayette, Ohio, Fulton County Historical Society, Williams County Historical Society and Lenawee County Historical Society, Lyons-Muir Historical Museum, and the Blissfield Area Historical Society presented displays and discussion about the abolitionist and Underground Railroad activities in the region. Costumes and props from the film were also on display.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. The award-winning docudrama tells the true story of firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (played by Thomas Alan Taylor) and the nation’s first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet (played by Jessica Taylor) was captivated by Weld’s charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War. Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films participated in Q&A following the film.
"We had a fantastic time in Fayette, Ohio and met so many wonderful people who were very passionate about this part of our nation's history," said producer Tammy Rundle. "The response to the film and the history event was so enthusiastic and exciting."
The event was sponsored by Bean Creek Valley History Center. Visit their website at https://www.beancreekvalleyhistorycenter.org for more information.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder continues to screen in independent theaters, at historic sites, museums, film festivals, and churches throughout the U.S. To order the movie, visit FourthWallFilms.com or Amazon.com.
06/16/2022
"Thunder" screens at 2nd Annual NW Illinois Film Festival June 24
The 2nd-annual Northwest Illinois Film Festival 2022 has been announced and scheduled for screening on June 24 and 25, 2022, at Morrison Technological Institute in Morrison, Illinois.
The film festival, hosted by the Northwest Illinois Film Office (NIFO), celebrates independent filmmakers with ties to Northwest Illinois. This year’s films will be Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning and Emmy-nominated “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” (a docudrama that portrays the true story of the Lane Seminary debates on slavery of 1834); Never Submit Entertainment’s “Without Grace” (a romantic drama with a faith-based undercurrent); and “The Blacklight” (a genre bending thriller from Rockford’s Dashford Media and producer Don Hatton).
Joining the films will be two short films and the introduction of “Chucky Chicken,” a lovable animated chicken character created by Michael Cook from Oswego, Ill., and Valley Studios.
The Northwest Illinois Film Festival 2022 will be held at Morrison Tech, 701 Portland Avenue, Morrison, Illinois and is a free event, but registration is required.
- Friday, June 24th, 7 p.m. — “Sons & Daughters of Thunder,” and an episode of “A Bridge Too Far From Hero Street.” A Chucky Chicken animation will join the screening.
- Saturday, June 25th, 3 p.m. — “Without Grace” and a Chucky Chicken cartoon.
- Saturday June 25th, 7 p.m. – “The Blacklight,” short film “Wolfdog,” and a Chucky Chicken cartoon.
All the films shown have a strong connection to the Northwest Illinois region, with production teams based in Northwest Illinois, and featuring locations from the region, according to a Wednesday release.Gary Camarano, executive director of the Northwest Illinois Film Office, said, “The region has some very talented filmmakers, and we want to celebrate their successes.
“With nearly $500 million in film production last year, Illinois is becoming a major destination for film projects, and we would like to point out the growing activity here in Northwest Illinois,” he said in the release. “We have seen short films, feature films, major studio episodic projects filmed here, and we have a new animated character, ‘Chucky Chicken,’ making his local debut.”
The event is free, but registration is required HERE.
For further information, call 815-772-5182 or visit https://www.nwillinoisfilmfestival.com/.
Fourth Wall Films' "Sons & Daughters of Thunder" is also screening at the Fayette Opera House on June 25th in Fayette, Ohio. For more information on that event, visit Fayette Opera House HERE.
Based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the unforgettable true story of the first-in-the-nation 1834 emancipation debates led by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and their effect on a young Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (Jessica Taylor) views of slavery.
The 2019 film was co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley, and executive producer Kimberly Kurtenbach. Award-winning cinematographer Kevin Railsback served as the director of photography. The film received the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards, and received three Mid-America Emmy® nominations in 2020, including Original Score by William Campbell of Davenport.
05/20/2022
Emmy-nominated "Thunder” and History Showcased at Fayette Opera House June 25
In celebration of Harriet Beecher Stowe's 211th birthday, the Fayette Opera House will showcase the Emmy® nominated and award-winning docudrama Sons & Daughters of Thunder on Saturday, June 25. Q &A with Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will follow the film presentation. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. The film will be shown at 3:00 p.m. in the historic Ginnivan - Spiess Theater in the Fayette Opera House, 105 East Main Street, Fayette, Ohio.
The Bean Creek Valley History Center of Fayette, Ohio, Fulton, Williams County Historical Society and Lenawee County Historical Societies will have displays showcasing the abolitionist/Underground Railroad activities in their respective areas. Costumes and props from the film will also be on display. The event is sponsored by Bean Creek Valley History Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling 419-237-2721.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America.
In 1834 discussing the abolition of slavery was considered radical, even in the North. Organized by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor), the nation’s first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio led to near riot conditions in the city. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet (Jessica Taylor) was captivated by Weld’s charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War.
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder is a fascinating, inspiring slice of influential U.S. history told with characteristic grace, intelligence and emotional power…” wrote Jonathan Turner,
entertainment reporter/WHBF.
"This is an earnest and rewarding docudrama shedding light on the origins of one of the most influential novels in American history," Ed McNulty, Visual Parables.
Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach cast the film and starred as Catharine Beecher. Los Angeles actor Mark Winn plays abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and Jaylen Marks
stars as former slave and Lane Rebel James Bradley. The film was shot by award-winning director of photography Kevin Railsback.
Principal photography for Sons & Daughters of Thunder took place at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Connecticut; and several historic sites in Illinois, including Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Augustana College's House on the Hill in Rock Island; the Jenny Lind Chapel in
Andover; and the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling.
The producers note that the movie is not for young children, and the 96-minute film’s detailed discussions of slavery might suggest a PG-13 rating.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder continues to screen in independent theaters, at historic sites, museums, film festivals, and churches throughout the U.S.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder was partially funded by a grant from the Quad City Arts, provided by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John
Deere; and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The Moline Foundation and the Shell Rock Community Historical Society served as the fiscal sponsors for the project.
For more information about Sons & Daughters of Thunder, visit LaneRebelsMovie.com.
The Rundles are the producers of the Emmy® Award winning Over and Under: Wildlife Crossings, and Emmy® nominated documentaries Good Earth: Awakening the Silent
City, Letters Home to Hero Street (with WQPT-PBS), and Country School: One Room – One Nation. Other award-winning productions include Lost Nation: The Ioway, and The
Barn Raisers.
03/28/2022
Emmy-nominated Historic Film based on Waverly Woman's Play to be showcased at Cedar Rapids Film Fest April 2
The film is based on a 1970s play written by Waverly, Iowa playwright Earlene Hawley, and Curtis Heeter. Hawley's play was performed on the stage in Eugene, Oregon where it received good notices. Earlene and her husband Kent contacted the Rundles about writing a screenplay based on the play, and then to produce the film. The screenplay and film project took nearly eight years to complete.
"It takes so many generous supporters and people to make a feature-length film," said director Kelly Rundle. "It is an understatement to say how grateful we are to the many who contributed to the film project, offered words of encouragement, volunteered props, to be extras, to take photographs, to help with costumes and hair, provided access to incredible historic sites and assisted with film shoots, and those who stayed long hours to help out without complaint. It is overwhelming to consider how many people believed in the project and wanted to help bring this little-known and timely true story back to public awareness."
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the true story of the nation’s first public anti-slavery debates in 1834 at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. The controversial and shocking oratory led by abolitionist and firebrand Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Jessica Taylor) to the horrors of slavery and later inspired the writing of her famous best-selling novel “Uncle Tom's Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War.
The film features cinematography by award-winning director of photography Kevin Railsback. Award-winning actress Kimberly Kurtenbach who starred in the movie as Catharine Beecher, served as Executive Producer and cast the movie. Costumer Emily Busha was the wardrobe director on the project. Emmy-nominated composer William Campbell scored the film.
The docudrama stars dozens of award-winning and acclaimed actors from the region, Chicago and Los Angeles, and was made possible by an outstanding crew from Iowa and Illinois.
"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" premiered at the Putnam National Geographic Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa in March 2019 and has screened at a number of film festivals, inlcuding the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in Cincinnati where it received the Harriet Beecher Stowe “Power of Voice” Award. The film won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards; and three 2020 Mid-America Emmy nominations: for Best Arts/Entertainment Program/Special, Best Original Music Score by William Campbell (of Davenport, Iowa), and Screenplay Writing.
“We are truly honored that “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” will screen at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “It is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to playwright Earlene Hawley and her exceptional play, and to honor the memory of co-producer Kent Hawley who was a passionate advocate for his wife's work, the screenplay, and the movie. We wish they were here to see the film on the big screen April 2.”
Several of the Rundles’ documentaries have received awards from CRIFF over the years, including “Villisca: Living with a Mystery”, “Lost Nation: The Ioway”, “Country School: One Room – One Nation”, “River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6”, “The Barn Raisers”, “Letters Home to Hero Street”, and “The Amish Incident”.
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder” was partially funded by grants from the Quad City Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. For more information about the film, visit www.LaneRebelsMovie.com.
03/04/2022
"Thunder" screens April 2 at Collins Road Theatres during Cedar Rapids Film Festival
We are pleased to announce that Sons & Daughters of Thunder is among the Official Selections at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival this year.
Several filmmaker friends' films are among the line-up and will screen April 1-2. Congratulations to everyone!
Sons & Daughters of Thunder will screen twice on Saturday, April 2: 10:10 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twixt Town Rd, Marion, IA .
Tickets can be purchased HERE!
We look forward to returning to one of our favorite Iowa film fests in one of our favorite Iowa theaters!
Based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the unforgettable true story of the first-in-the-nation 1834 emancipation debates led by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and their effect on a young Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (Jessica Taylor) views of slavery.
The 2019 film was co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley, and executive producer Kimberly Kurtenbach. Award-winning cinematographer Kevin Railsback served as the director of photography. The film received the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards, and received three Mid-America Emmy® nominations in 2020, including Original Score by William Campbell of Davenport.
02/07/2022
Clips from QC-produced docudrama on slavery to be shown on Feb. 17
By: Jonathan Turner, WHBF
Fittingly for Black History Month, the Bettendorf Public Library will present Fourth Wall Films’ Mid-America Emmy-nominated docudrama “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” later this month.
This exclusive virtual event will feature film clips, which will only be available live on Feb. 17th at 1:30 p.m. on Fourth Wall Films’ Facebook page. A question-and-answer session with the film producers, and Christina Hartlieb, Executive Director of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, will follow the clips.
Based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the unforgettable true story of the first-in-the-nation 1834 emancipation debates led by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and their effect on a young Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (Jessica Taylor) views of slavery.
The 2019 film was co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley, and executive producer Kimberly Kurtenbach. Award-winning cinematographer Kevin Railsback served as the director of photography.
The film received the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards, and received three Mid-America Emmy® nominations in 2020, including Original Score by William Campbell of Davenport.
Read the rest of Jonathan Turner's story HERE!
11/04/2021
Film Reviewer McNaulty Shares His Insight on "Sons & Daughters of Thunder"
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is finding another audience in churches with screening events popping up in a variety of locations in the Midwest, including St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa on Tuesday, November 9th at 7pm.
This summer Sons & Daughters of Thunder received The Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio where film reviewer Ed McNaulty first saw the film. For over 30 years he has been publishing film reviews, study guides and books that explore the inspiring connections between faith and popular culture. We share a portion of his film review of Thunder below, and encourage you to click through to read it in its entirety.
We are humbled and grateful for this insightful evaluation of Sons & Daughters of Thunder and applaud every single person involved in the production.
Tammy & Kelly Rundle, Fourth Wall Films
~ ~ ~
"This is an earnest and rewarding docudrama shedding light on the origins of one of the most influential novels in American history..." ~Ed McNulty, film reviewer for VISUAL PARABLES.
Director Kelly Rundle’s film about the students’ debates in 1834 over slavery at Cincinnati’s Lane Seminary is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtiss Heeter. I knew I would like this film at its very beginning when right before the front titles abolitionist Frederick Douglas (played by Mark Winn) is shown delivering his famous July 4th speech at Rochester NY in 1852. Best known as “What to the Slave is the 4th of July,” the long oration* is a polite but scathing indictment of what today we call systemic racism. This Jeremiad bookends the film, a slightly longer portion concluding it.
Also, as an alumnus of McCormick Theological Seminary and recipient of a Lane Scholarship, I was keenly interested in the film’s setting, the newly established Lane Seminary in the river boat town. When Lane went out of existence, the Chicago-based McCormick received most of its assets. The earlier seminary never recovered from the student rebellion and ceased operations in 1932.
Read the rest of Ed McNulty's film review at Visual Parables.
Based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, the film tells the unforgettable true story of the first-in-the-nation 1834 emancipation debates led by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and their effect on a young Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (Jessica Taylor) views of slavery.
The film was co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley, and Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach. Award-winning cinematographer Kevin Railsback served as the Director of Photography.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder was partially funded by a grant from the Quad City Arts, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, with support from Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, and the Bix Biederbecke Inn. The Moline Foundation and the Shell Rock Community Historical Society served as the fiscal sponsors on the film project. The film is co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley. Kimberly Kurtenbach is the Executive Producer of the film.
Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films are the producers of multiple award-winning historical documentaries and the Mid-America Emmy® nominated documentaries Good Earth: Awakening the Silent City, Country School: One Room – One Nation, River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 and Letters Home to Hero Street (co-produced with WQPT).
To order any of Fourth Wall Films documentaries or film projects on DVD or view them via streaming, visit SHOP FOURTH WALL FILMS.
11/03/2021
Special "Sons & Daughters of Thunder" Screening and Q&A at St. Paul Lutheran Church Nov. 9
Jessica Taylor (Harriet Beecher) and Thomas Alan Taylor (Theodore Weld) in SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER.
A special screening of the award-winning docudrama Sons & Daughters of Thunder will be showcased at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa on Tuesday, November 9 at 700 PM. The event is free to the public. Q&A with Emmy®-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle (Fourth Wall Films), Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach, the films' stars Jessica Taylor and Thomas Alan Taylor, and the film's composer William Campbell will follow the film. The film received three Mid-America Emmy® nominations in 2020, including Original Score by William Campbell.
Mark Winn as Frederick Douglass in SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER.
Discussing the abolition of slavery in 1834 was considered radical, even in the North. Organized by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor), the nation’s first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio led to near riot conditions in the city. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet (Jessica Taylor) was captivated by Weld’s charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This forgotten true story from award-winning filmmakers Kelly Rundle and Tammy Rundle was a prelude to America’s Civil War.
William Cambell produced the original score for "Thunder" and received an Emmy-nomination.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. The film was shot by award-winning director of photography Kevin Railsback.
SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER was written by playwright, Earlene Hawley and the film is based on her play.
The film received the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, and won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards.
Kimberly Kurtenbach as Catharine Beecher in SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER. Kim was the Executive Producer and casting director of the Emmy-nominated film.
"This is an earnest and rewarding docudrama shedding light on the origins of one of the most influential novels in American history," Ed McNulty, Visual Parables.
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder is a fascinating, inspiring slice of influential U.S. history told with characteristic grace, intelligence and emotional power…” wrote Jonathan Turner, film reviewer from the Dispatch-Argus.
Principal photography for Sons & Daughters of Thunder took place at several historic sites in Illinois, including Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum and Augustana College's House on the Hill in Rock Island; the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover; the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling; the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio; and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
The producers note that the film is not for young children, and the 96-minute film’s detailed discussions of slavery might suggest a PG-13 rating.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder continues to screen in independent theaters, at historic sites, museums, film festivals, and churches throughout the U.S. The film is available on DVD at Amazon.com and FourthWallFilms.com. The docudrama had its broadcast premiere on WQPT-PBS and has aired on other PBS stations throughout the Midwest.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder was partially funded by a grant from the Quad City Arts, provided by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere; and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The Moline Foundation and the Shell Rock Community Historical Society served as the fiscal sponsors for the project. For more information about Sons & Daughters of Thunder, visit www.LaneRebelsMovie.com.
Filmmakers Tammy & Kelly Rundle, Fourth Wall Films.
The Rundles are the producers of the Emmy® Award winning Over and Under: Wildlife Crossings, and Emmy® nominated documentaries Good Earth: Awakening the Silent City, Letters Home to Hero Street (with WQPT-PBS), and Country School: One Room – One Nation. Other award-winning productions include Lost Nation: The Ioway, and The Barn Raisers.