Hollywood Actors Reading Declaration of Independence - Best Yet Found

Of good report is this short film on the Declaration of Independence as read by Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Whoopi Goldberg and other film stars.

It is the best rendition I've found ever of this document, bringing us closer to how it must have been when it first was sent throughout the Colonies, and was read to crowds of people.

If memory serves me well, 200 0f these were printed in 1776. The handwritten document was sent to King George, famously signed by John Hancock in script large enough so that the King would not have to put on his glasses to read Hancock's signature.

Some scholars have called the handwritten document "an elitist" document - written by aristocrats to another aristocrat. However, the printed copies (some 200), set to type, just days after the signing, and sent to major population areas in the colonies, best represent the democratic ideal of "the People."

Until relatively recent, there were only about 24 of these original printed copies remaining. Then, in the 1980s, a woman purchased for the frame a cheap piece of art at a flea market. When she got it home and tore off the backing she found another of these original printings of the Decaration of Independence. It sold at auction for several million, I believe.

A Hollywood producer purchased it, because it reminded him of the ideals his father loved as an immigrant to the United States. If my recollection is right, he remembered his father quoting from it often.

This producer (Norman Lear, I think), then pulled together some of the best actors of the age to perform it as a trailer in theaters across the nations.

For teachers, it will keep students' attention and act as a springboard for excellent discussion this July 4th for summer school.

Is this a dead document or a live, vibrant declaration of human rights? What of students at Tianamen Square in China holding banners with the words of Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?

It is great for U.S. History, Constitutional Law, U.S. Philosophical Foundations.

Teachers can do Stop & Starts. Play a section, stop and discuss. Start the next section. Stop, discuss and start, again.

It allows discussion of each grievance. It is indeed praiseworthy.