Bequest Films to Produce New Full-Length Revolutionary War Movie Featuring True, Living Hercules
Charlotte, North Carolina (PRWEB) July 04, 2013 -- Direct descendant of Portuguese American Patriot Peter Francisco, Travis Bowman, has launched a project to bring his ancestor to life on the big screen. The full-length feature movie will be based on his novel Hercules of the Revolution, first published in 2009 about his Revolutionary War ancestor. Bowman is writing the screenplay this summer with an experienced film team and production is slated to begin in 2014.
Bowman has performed nearly 100 dramatic impersonations of his great-grandfather around the United States and, earlier this year, for the first time, in Peter’s homeland – Porto Judeu, Terceira Island, Azores. While there, Bowman scouted the area for film locations and met with local government officials to discuss the project. “My book has been called ‘the American Braveheart story’,” says Bowman, “and I believe the film will bring tourists from all around the world to Portugal and the United States similar to Scotland after the movie Braveheart about William Wallace.”
Historical Fiction Novel - Basis for the Film
Bowman’s novel opens with Patrick Henry’s famous speech, “Give me liberty or give me death,” which he delivered at St. John’s Church in Richmond. The story then takes readers from Peter’s early life in the Azores through the time he spent fighting for America’s independence. Interwoven is a timeless love story between Peter and Susannah Anderson, daughter of a prominent Loyalist family.
About Peter Francisco - Hercules of the Revolution
Peter Francisco was called the “Hercules of the Revolution” because of his enormous size, massive strength, and unbelievable bravery. Born in the Azores, Peter was kidnapped and abandoned by pirates when he was five years old, then bought as a slave. He won his personal freedom and, ultimately, that of a nation, by enlisting and serving in the Continental Army. George Washington had a six-foot broadsword made for him and even made the claim that we would have likely lost the whole Revolutionary War without Peter Francisco. His legacy continues today with five monuments that stand in his honor and a US bicentennial stamp that enshrined him in 1976, in addition to the four states that observe Peter Francisco Day.
About Travis Bowman
Seventh generation descendant, Travis Bowman, is similar in stature standing the same height and looks remarkably similar to one of Peter’s portrait paintings. As an actor, Bowman enjoys performing dramatic impersonations of Peter with a six-foot replica broadsword similar to the one George Washington had made for him. Bowman has performed before tens of thousands all across the country and before many dignitaries including the 1st Lady of Portugal. In 2010, Bowman produced a short documentary that won a Platinum Aurora Award in 2011 and still airs on select PBS stations around the country. Keep up with Travis on Twitter @PeterFrancisco.
Travis Bowman will be performing on these upcoming dates:
• July 20th – Charlotte, NC
• August 10th – Washington DC
• September 20-21st – Knoxville TN
The Peter Francisco Story will air on the following dates:
• WCVE Richmond & WHTJ Charlottesville – July 11th @ 8:30pm, July 14th @ 5:32pm, August 25th @ 6:05pm
• WVPT Charlottesville – July 11th @ 8:30pm
For more details about his upcoming appearances, visit http://www.HerculesoftheRevolution.com. To schedule an interview with Travis Bowman, please call Heather Walls at (443) 591-8451 or e-mail virginiagiant (at) gmail (dot) com.
Heather Walls, Bequest Films, http://www.herculesoftherevolution.com, (443) 591-8451, [email protected]
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