For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots

In observance of Black History Month and in honor of African-Americans who serve our country, “For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots” premieres on Public Broadcasting System stations nationwide. Presented by Maryland Public Television, this is a powerful documentary television series that salutes our African-American service men and women and reveres their dedicated allegiance to the United States military. The four-hour high-definition film will air in two parts on PBS stations across the country starting Monday, February 1 (check local listings). Made with the U.S. Army’s full cooperation, the film is sponsored by US Bank, Ford Motor Company, and State Farm.

The film begins at the dawn of U.S. history, chronicling African-Americans who risked their lives to create and preserve freedom for their country while attempting to acquire it for themselves. “For Love of Liberty” uses letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, historical text and military records to document the accomplishments of African-American men and women since the earliest days of the republic. Their gripping personal stories paint a deeply moving historical account of service and sacrifice, from the Revolutionary War to today’s battle against global terrorism.

“For Love of Liberty” introduces men and women whose lives make up the fabric of this inspiring and often heart-breaking story. Their compelling first-hand accounts are told through dramatic, off-camera readings by a Who’s Who of major entertainers and public figures. Those who lent their voices include: John Amos, Angela Bassett, Tom Berenger, Roscoe Lee Browne, LeVar Burton, Anthony Chisholm, Chris Cooper, Barry Corbin, Bill Cosby, Peter Coyote, Walter Cronkite, Robert Culp, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Michael Clarke Duncan, Charles S. Dutton, Robert Duvall, Sam Elliott, R. Lee Ermey, Oded Fehr, Morgan Freeman, James Garner, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, John Goodman, Louis Gossett Jr., Isaac Hayes, Dulé Hill, Ice-T, Asante Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Eriq LaSalle, Delroy Lindo, Jesse L. Martin, Harold Perrineau Jr., Jonathan Pryce, Alan Rickman, Cliff Robertson, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Susan Sarandon, Ron Silver, John Spencer, Donald Sutherland, Melissa Tang, Larenz Tate, Gordon Tootoosis, Robert Townsend, John Travolta, Glynn Turman, Blair Underwood, Courtney B. Vance, Isaiah Washington, Al White, Lambert Wilson, Alfre Woodard, and Jeffrey Wright.

The film has been screened to a small number of people, but among those who have seen it, rave reviews come from filmmakers who are very much interested in military films these days, including George Lucas, who said:

“For Love Of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots is a truly important work. More than a documentary, it is a long-overdue document celebrating, commemorating, and at long last acknowledging the historic efforts of our country’s African-American soldiers Despite their extraordinary achievements, these brave men have been ignored by historians, their contributions all but forgotten. “For Love Of Liberty” takes an important first step in correcting that historical oversight. Told with humanity and compassion, it is a remarkable true story.”

“It is a wonderful story…of a group of Americans who never lost their love of this country, never lost their faith in it or what the Founding Fathers had promised them. And that’s why this story is simply called, For Love of Liberty,” says former U.S. Secretary of State and Army General Colin Powell in the film’s introduction.

“I am proud and pleased a film finally presents a comprehensive review that accurately details how blacks played a major role in America’s wars,” said Clarence Sasser, a U.S. Army combat medic and Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Vietnam War. “From the beginning of American history, black soldiers and patriots understood that to be a part of America, they had to do the kind of things that others did; assimilating the U.S. culture, producing inventions and fighting in wars. Pertaining to wars, ‘For Love of Liberty’ superbly authenticates that perception.”