About The First Landing Movie

Synopsis

First Landing unearths the untold story of Reverend Robert Hunt's incredible sacrifice as expedition chaplain of the Virginia Company's awe inspiring voyage to the New World - a groundbreaking trip that would result in America's first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.The story follows Hunt's struggle to leave his young family in order to make the arduous journey by sea in 1606. Despite being initially pinned by superstitious sailors as the cause of severe winter storms in the English Channel that were keeping the ships in a stranglehold for six weeks, a desperately seasick Hunt persuades Captain Christopher Newport to stay the course on to

the new world. With new strength, Hunt then resolves to minister to his shipmates and to persevere throughout the journey. But infighting among members of the expedition lingers, especially between the swashbuckling John Smith and the influential Edward Marie Wingfield. Smith is charged with mutiny, and Hunt becomes part of Smith's dramatic rescue from the gallows. In April 1607, the voyagers finally reach their destination. A wooden cross is raised among the sand dunes of what is today Cape Henry, and Hunt prays for God's blessing on the new colony and the people of the land.

In the midst of disease and the hostility, Hunt pours himself into caring for the settlers, giving little thought to his own needs. The sacrifice of Robert Hunt is a largely unknown story, coming to light 400 years later. His role in enabling the colonists to not only reach the shores of North America but to also survive those early brutal years cannot be underestimated. While most men looked to their own needs, Hunt brought much needed unity to the frail outpost on the James River that would in time become the United States of America, one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

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Production Notes (date, description, background image)

Wednesday July 5th Actors travel to Virginia Beach for a day of rehearsals. This is the beginning of a month stay in Virginia for a few. First Landing
Thursday July 6th Rehearsal day for lead actors. Producer and unit production manager travel to Lewes, DE to prep for the cast crew arrival on July 7th. First Landing
Friday July 7th Cast and crew travel by car to Lewes, DE. There is a production and safety meeting at 4P. We are about to spend 3 days shoot in the Delaware Bay. The captain's of the 3 vessels we will be using need to bring us up to speed on ship safety. First Landing
Saturday July 8th Shooting Day 1 - Everyone has an early call. We board our transport and holding vessel, the Thelma Dale, and sail out to meet the1600's replica ship the Half Moon. The crew and cast are shuttled between the 2 ships by Captain Art. Shooting today will be b-roll to allow the crew of the vessel, the cast and our shooting crew to get familiar. First Landing
Sunday July 9th Shooting Day 2 - Cast and crew have a reasonable call time today but a long day at sea ahead. Once again we travel to meet the Half Moon and spend the day on the Delaware Bay. First Landing
Monday July 10th Shooting Day 3 - This is our last day on the Half Moon and another early call. It has been a great time. The weather has cooperated beyond what we could have hoped. First Landing
Tuesday July 11th Cast and crew travel back to Virginia Beach. First Landing
Wednesday July 12th No shooting today. Art department is putting the finishing touches on our storm deck. Special effects preps for the storm effects. Dailies of our first three days are shown. First Landing
Thursday July 13th Shooting Day 4 - Day 1 on the storm deck. Today a sick Robert Hunt gets drug across the top deck during a storm at sea. First Landing
Friday July 14th Shooting Day 5 - Day 2 on the storm deck. Today are close ups we didn't get on Thursday and sailors battening down the ship during the storm. First Landing
Monday July 17th Set dress our next location and view dailies. First Landing
Tuesday July 18th Shooting Day 6 - Today we are at the Adam Throughgood House in Virginia Beach. This will be the home of Robert Hunt and his wife Elizabeth. First Landing
Wednesday July 19th Shooting Day 7 - We are at Cape Henry on the Fort Story Army base. Today is a big day - the day the settlers first landed on the shores of this continent. As well, it's the day the cross is planted and the land is dedicated to the Lord. First Landing
Thursday July 20th Shooting Day 8 - Tonight we are at First Landing State Park to shoot the camp site scenes of Nevis Island. First Landing
Friday July 21st

Shooting Day 9 - Back at First Landing State Park to shoot the hanging scene of John Smith. Of all our locations this was the most dangerous due to the cotton mouth snakes that live in the woods.

First Landing
Monday July 24th Set dress our next location and review dailies. First Landing
Tuesday July 25th Shooting Day 10 - We travel to Williamsburg Virginia to film at William and Mary's Wren building. This location will be our meeting of the Virginia Company members and the introduction of Robert Hunt as the voyage's Vicar. First Landing
Wednesday July 26th

Shooting Day 11 - Today we have 2 locations. A skeleton crew starts off the morning at the Walker Ranch in Suffolk. Here we shoot all our riding shots. While they are shooting at the ranch the rest of the crew is at St. Luke's historical church in Smithfield pre-lighting. This will be Robert Hunt's church in England.

First Landing
Thursday July 27th Shooting Day 12 - Our second and last day at St. Luke's church. First Landing
Friday July 28th Shooting Day 13 - The crew is back at Cape Henry at Fort Story Army base. There are a variety of scenes covered here - shots of Hunt walking along the beach, the present day monument of the cross and the scene of a decimated village as settlers bury the dying. First Landing
Monday July 31st Set dress the studio sets and review dailies. First Landing
Tuesday August 1st Shooting Day 14 - We are entering our last week of shooting. The rest of our days will be in studio to shoot all of our interior ship scenes. This day sees Wingfield insulted by Smith and Smith arrested. First Landing
Wednesday August 2nd Shooting Day 15 - Today's scenes focus on young Nathaniel and Robert Hunt. First Landing
Thursday August 3rd Shooting Day 16 - Today's scenes focus on Robert Hunt and Captain John Smith. First Landing
Friday August 4th Shooting Day 17 - Today's scenes are all set in Captain Newport's cabin area. First Landing
Saturday August 5th Shooting Day 18 - Today is our last day of shooting. We continue with the scenes in Newport's cabin area, shots of George Percy and end with the death of Robert Hunt. First Landing

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Photo Gallery (image, description)

Hunt reflects on his family while in England.

Hunt and his wife Elizabeth share a moment in the church.

The Susan Constant at sea.

Hunt standing on the deck of the ship.

Hunt sick in the cabin during the voyage.

A fight breaks out during the voyage to the New World.
Captain John Smith and Hunt on the deck of the Susan Constant.
Captain John Smith faces hanging.
The Susan Constant as sea.

Coming to shore at Cape Henry.

Wingfield and Smith kneeling for prayer on Cape Henry.
Hunt enjoying a beautiful sunset on the coast of Virginia.

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Cast Bios (image, name/character, bio)

GUY BIRTWHISTLE
Reverend Robert Hunt

Guy was born in Northern England and was raised in a family of singers, actors and artists. His big break in acting came playing the role of Jesus in the remake of the 1979 classic, The Jesus Film. Guy's current role finds him chairing a non-profit organization which supports hospice volunteers.

JOSH ADAMSON
Captain John Smith

Originally from Australia, Josh now lives and works out of Los Angeles. Josh has worked in productions on Broadway and in both film and TV. One of the latest films he has appeared in is Unidentified and he is presently working on the movie thriller Portal.

MARC APPLEBY
Christopher Newport

Based out of L.A., Marc is a classically trained British actor with a gift for writing. His career in the U.K., include guest starring roles in TV shows on the BBC and FOX, as well as roles in several independent feature films. Since Marc's move to L.A. in 2005, he has booked leads in three History Channel films and two comedy plays.

STEPHEN BLACKEHART
Edward Marie Wingfield

Stephen studied acting with both Stella Adler and Uta Hagen in New York. His acting credits include roles in episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Passions. Stephen has also founded the production company Lion Will Productions.

NATALIE WORTH
Elizabeth Hunt

Natalie started her acting career as a child in England, working in theater, film and television. She went on to train at Oxford and moved to London upon graduation. She has written, performed and produced on three continents and currently resides and works in Los Angeles.

DON ANDES
Nathaniel Peacock

Don Andes lives with his family in rural Carrsville, Virginia. He attends Renaissance School of the Arts, where he enjoys drama, music and art coursework, as well as the opportunity to perform in local productions. First Landing is his first professional film.

EDWARD WOODWARD
Narrator

Edward Woodward has enjoyed a distinguished career since 1946. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he has acted on both London and Broadway stages. His television credits include the starring role in the successful 1980's series The Equalizer, as well as roles on such notable movies as The Christmas Carol and King David.

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Crew Bios (image, name/title, bio)

CRISTOBAL KRUSEN
Director

Cristobal Krusen studied film at the University of Texas, and later New York University. Over the years he has produced a number of award winning films including ?Con Quien Te Vas? (With Whom Will You Go?) and Final Solution. Cristobal currently works for CBN WorldReach and resides with his children in Mexico City.

KRISTIE J. STAHL
Producer

Kristie has produced for both film and TV. Her credits include producing the film Pavel's Chariot as well as producing segments for the CBN talk show Living the Life. She currently is in the freelance market where she continues to produce and production manage. Kristie lives in Virginia with her family.

BUNT YOUNG
Director of Photography

Bunt Young has been a cameraman for over 25 years. His film credits include Terrence Malick's The New World (additional photography), and The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan. Bunt's television credits range from shooting the Indianapolis 500, as well as working for NBC and Disney. His work for SpeedWorld has garnered him three Emmy Awards.

MICHAEL LITTLE
Executive Producer

Michael Little is President and Chief Operating Officer of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., having worked there for more than three decades. He has worked in 87 countries overseeing production and distribution of programming. Michael earned an Emmy as executive producer for the CBS television movie Never Say Goodbye.

LORENE WALES
Executive Producer

Dr. Lorene Wales holds a B.A. in Film Production from Penn State and a Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University in 1995. She currently produces films and teaches for Regent. Her last production, On the Edge, won a bronze at the Worldfest Houston International Film and Video Awards. Dr. Wales is the author of The People and Process of Film and Video Production.

Viewer Comments (add extra <p> between comments)

"This film is a forgotten story that needs to be told. Because God has been taken out of schools so much that we need to bring back the true foundation of this country and its beliefs."

 

"This movie shows me that God has had his hand on this country from the beginning."

 

"First Landing shows that the men that came over here were dedicated to share the gospel to the ends of the earth."

 

"First Landing is inspiring, very encouraging and it's a blessing!"

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