Actor and War Veteran Dale Dye Narrates the Epic Documentary "USS Franklin: Honor Restored"
Online, March 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - "USS Franklin: Honor Restored" is an epic documentary based on the true story of the magnificent carrier USS Franklin - also known as "the ship that wouldn't die" - and its heroic crew during World War II. Actor and war veteran Dale Dye narrates.
"USS Franklin: Honor Restored" is an archival film that honors the men of the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier built for the United States Navy during World War II. Nicknamed "Big Ben," she survived a direct attack by a Japanese armor-piercing bomb just 55 miles south of Japan in March 1945, becoming the most heavily damaged United States carrier to survive the war. She lost more than 800 of her crew along with hundreds of men blasted over the side into the cold Pacific Ocean. The USS Franklin's Skipper, Captain Leslie Gehres insisted he had given no order to abandon ship and that any man who had not remained, had deserted his post regardless his condition. Today, the USS Franklin crew is the most decorated in United States Naval history.
Retired Marine Corps veteran and actor, Dale Dye is founder of Warrior's, Inc., a California company specializing in training actors for realistic military portrayals in film. Dye was military technical advisor for "Platoon" and Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers." He has also had roles in "Saving Private Ryan," "Under Siege," "Mission Impossible," "JFK," and the HBO miniseries, "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." Dye hosted The History Channel's documentary series, "The Conquerors" and will appear in the 2011 Tom Hanks film, "Larry Crowne."
"It's really a privilege to be involved with a documentary about the USS Franklin," stated Dye. "It resonates right in my ballpark of getting military history out to a popular audience. This story of how the crew was maligned, mistreated, threatened with Court Martial for abandoning ship when she was burning, adrift, almost cold iron and under constant attack. I didn't know that story. It was either go off the side 90 feet into the water or die. This is the heart of the Franklin story."
Two film crews aboard the carrier captured some of the most riveting combat footage recorded during World War II. The documentary retraces the steps of the historic day in March of 1945 with never-before-seen footage of the disaster in full color. Ten surviving crewmen provide eyewitness accounts of the horrors they witnessed on board as well as their individual stories of survival. The crewmen's personal accounts make the story of Big Ben one of the most dramatic and inspiring in naval history.
"When Joe Small brought me Joseph Springer's script, I knew this story of these heroic men had to be told," stated Director Robert Child. "Finding the perfect voice to tell the Franklin story was an integral part of the film. Dale Dye was the first presenter that came to our minds. He has a powerful yet dulcet tone that draws the viewer into the story with his on-pitch delivery. With Dale's knowledge and passion for war stories partnered with his talent, we couldn't have chosen a better narrator."
"USS Franklin: Honor Restored" was produced by The Ardennes Group with executive producers Child and Joseph Small, and writer/executive producer Joseph A. Springer ("Inferno: The Epic Life and Death Struggle of the USS Franklin in World War II").
About Robert Child
Originally from New England, Robert Child has worked behind the scenes as a writer, technical director, and director for more than a decade with network clients including HBO, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Child has been working on independent historical projects since 2001 and has won numerous awards including two CINE Golden Eagles and a Special Jury Award at World Fest Houston. His work has also been named as an Official Selection at major United States film festivals including the New York Independent Film Festival and the Washington DC Independent Film Festival. Child's most recent work includes "Caught by the SS: The Wereth Eleven," that premiered on National Geographic Channel in February 2011.
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The Official Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSZeZig_c98
Dale Dye on narrating USS Franklin: Honor Restored:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw1cc7AKR94&feature=player_embedded
To interview surviving crewmen or filmmakers, contact:
Verena King
702-354-3527
Verena@verenakingpr.com