Educational Media Reviews Online

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence declared that all men were created equal. However the reality was that not all men were created equal. Dutch settlers brought the first African-Americans to the United States, marking the beginning of forced labor and slavery; institutions that helped build the United States and create a labor pool that in 1840 was worth more than all the banks in the United States. This was very true in the Delmarva peninsula where slaves worked in the fields while others began to work on freeing these slaves, as they too tried to escape an institution that left one a prisoner, unable to insure that families could stay together or that one could ever have a better life.

The focus of this film is on this area of the United States covering parts of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, where the underground railroad began to flourish and several people built reputations as being willing to give up everything to insure slaves rights to be free. Here, two people, one black and one white, worked together and became friends in the fight against slavery. William Still eventually wrote the history of the underground railroad, documenting stories of escape starting with the narrative of his own parents. Thomas Garrett was a Quaker who after seeing a family servant nearly forced into slavery became a station master on the underground railroad. Even after being convicted of helping protect slaves and losing all his money, he continued to work to insure the safety of slaves. Though they never met Still and Garrett wrote daily, sharing information, working to insure the protection of those escaping slavery.

Whispers of Angels is a fascinating film including both primary source materials and interviews with noted scholars such as Charles Blockson and James Horton which help to illustrate some of the history and provide images and context for the story. Woven amongst the documents and interviews are expert renditions of historical events. Led by Edward Asner as Garrett and Blair Underwood as Still, the actors and re-enactors, who appear to be from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia are first rate, bringing an honest portrait of the events of the time. Costuming is well done and it appears where possible the performances took place in the actual locations where events took place. The film is also beautifully shot providing a contrast between the striking scenery and the ugliness of slavery. While the film focuses on the relationship of Garrett and Still, other tales are told as well. Viewers meet Harriet Tubman, Henry "Box" Brown, and Samuel Burris and hear their accounts. The story of Patty Cannon is told, the queen of slave catchers, who terrified slaves so much that children were told if they didn't behave they would be sent to Cannon for punishment.

Viewers learn where the term underground railroad came from and how the freed black community became an important part of the underground railroad; how the growth of religion helped slaves survive and created new safe havens for those escaping to freedom; and how the government, who felt that helping slaves escape was equivalent to stealing property, passed laws such as the Second Fugitive Slave Act to allow slave holders to go into free states to get their slaves and provide for stronger punishments for those helping slaves escape. After the Civil War, Still and Garrett continued to work to insure the rights of African Americans including working toward passage of the 15th amendment. Whispers of Angels accompanying website provides additional information and teaching tools to enhance the learning experience.

The only flaw in this exceptional film is that the background music often drowns out the narration or speeches. This incredible movie provides excellent historical information about the underground railroad, the history of slavery and how two brave men bucked the system to insure that slaves could find their way to freedom and that people would know their stories.

Awards

• Chris Award Statuette at 2002 Columbus International Film and Video Festival
• 2002 World Gold Medal for History Programming at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival