About HFI

"I don't think that there is a film crew anyplace else that I would trust to the level that I trust Historical Films ."

John Howard Former Superintendant, Antietam National Battlefield

Historical Films was formed in 1997 to provide film production resources and expertise to the National Park Service and other historical sites and
organizations. Our goal was to assist these entitites to interpret their sites,
and to produce original documentary programs on American History.

In 1997 we collaborated with Antietam National Battlefield to produce an
hour-long documentary about the Maryland Campaign of 1862, narrated by James Earl Jones. "Antietam" has been shown at the battlefield visitors center every day since May, 1998.

In 2000 we began a series of projects with Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, beginning with "Fredericksburg", the story of the December, 1862 engagement there. Since then we have also produced a comprehensive documentary on the Chancellorsville campaign and "Virginia Desolate, Virginians Free," the story of the civilian experience in Fredericksburg in the Civil War.

In 2004 we provided historical consulting, set design and construction and
combat choreography services to PBS for "The War That Made America," a four-part mini-series on the French and Indian War. That same year we produced "War So Terrible," an educational film for Pamplin Historical Park in Virginia.

Historical Films is a non profit, 501(c)(3) educational foundation. As such we exist to help other organizations produce high-end, educational programming on American History at low cost. We also produce original programs, which are available through this website, the proceeds of which go toward new productions.

Clients:

Public Broadcating System (PBS): provided consulting, set design and construction and combat choreography services for "The War That Made America."

The History Channel: Directed three episodes of "Civil War Combat," wrote two of the episodes and provided combat footage for another.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park: Produced three original Civil War films on the campaigns in the Fredericksburg area.

Antietam National Battlefield: Produced an hour-long documentary on the battle of Antietam, and currently working on a four-part mini-series on the Maryland Campaign.

Pamplin Historical Park: Produced two feature presentations played at the park daily.

ABC News: Provided combat footage for a feature piece on the battle of Fredericksburg.

Gods and Generals: HFI built and deployed our unique 300-foot pontoon bridge for the Fredericksburg sequences in the film.

Henry Ford Museum / Greenfield Village

Gettysburg National Military Park

Greystone Communications

Owl Creek Productions

Harpers Ferry National Military Park