UW News

November 29, 2001

Bridgman film showing Dec. 7

Jon Bridgman’s Pearl Harbor: Parallels and Perspectives, a documentary that explores the people and events leading up to World War II, will premiere at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in 130 Kane, marking the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It will be the first documentary to compare and contrast the bombing of Pearl Harbor with the attacks that happened on Sept. 11.


The one-hour documentary is being presented by the UW College of Arts & Sciences and UW Alumni Association and produced by UW alumnus Robb Weller, executive producer of Weller/Grossman Productions and former co-anchor of Entertainment Tonight.


“Pearl Harbor and the attacks on Sept. 11 are what I call random acts of history,” said Bridgman, an emeritus history professor. “However, the effect both had on the American people is quite similar. These events transformed our country and united our feelings against those that had defiled our national integrity.”


“You don’t have to be a history buff to lose yourself in one of Jon Bridgman’s lectures,” said Weller. “This film will allow more people to experience his conversational-style of educating.”


The collaboration between Weller and Bridgman began a year ago to focus on the dichotomy of the United States preparing for war, yet being completely surprised by the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the events of Sept. 11, the film was re-edited highlighting the correspondences between these two tragedies.


Tickets for the film may be reserved by calling 206-543-3839 or visiting the UW Alumni Association Web site at http://www.uwalum.com. Video copies of the film are available for purchase for $19.95 from the UW Alumni Association and the University Bookstore. All proceeds will go to student scholarships at the UW College of Arts and Sciences.