Mt. Lebanon-based Argentine Productions has produced a documentary opening this month at the Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, Mass.
The project brought together one of the biggest all-star casts to date in a National Parks video. Tom Hanks serves history as the voice of Henry Adams and provides a running commentary throughout. Laura Linney is the narrator and reads Abigail’s letters, Paul Giamatti reads John Adams and Edward James Olmos is the voice of John Quincy Adams.
For a National Parks project on a documentary budget to attract a celebrity cast is a real coup for a company like us, says director Peter Argentine whose production company has been instrumental in telling the compelling stories of our country’s National Parks.
The Adams Park has experienced a surge of visitors and interest since the airing of the HBO series and the publication of David McCullough’s book on the life of John Adams.
“It was a challenge to condense 200 years of Adams history into such a brief film,” says Argentine. “HBO had nine hours to tell John Adams’ story, and we had just 25 minutes to cover four generations.”
Hanks, who loves both history and the John Adams story, was eager to participate in the documentary, he adds.
Production took place on multiple locations: an 18th century square rigger sailing ship; Hartwell Tavern at Minuteman Park; Old Sturbridge Village, a salt marsh in Quincy, and the original Adams family home at Peacefield. Painstaking care was given to the details in bringing the story to life.
On September 21, the park will hold a “red carpet” premiere to debut
Enduring Legacy, which chronicles four generations of the Adams family.
“Our greatest strength is we’re good storytellers,” says Argentine. “People like working with us to translate their vision and message and we strive to make that true. It’s a huge responsibility that we take seriously to create an impact that has a powerful affect on the audience.”
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Peter Argentine, Argentine Productions