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R E V I E W S Like some real-life Private Ryan... The Return of Paul is a moving tribute to the war and the men that fought it... capture s the war s horror... a dazzling documentary. Bruce Watson, Daily Hampshire Gazette CLARK@ATT.NET The Return of Paul is the remarkable saga of a First World War American soldier...through Paul and other veterans interviewed, those qualities and sacrifices which characterize all that is good and enduring in America are presented in this video as an inspiration to Americans of the next century. Dee Eberhart, WWII footsoldier College Professor Past National President, Rainbow Division Veterans Association The definitive story of World War I and its battles told by men who were there a history lesson for all ages. Donald L. Segal, WWII Prisoner of War National Historian, 42nd Rainbow Division No one has captured the abstract images of The Great War like Mr. has in this powerful tale of a true American hero. So unique in its personal style, it is unlike any documentary I ve ever seen on this subject matter. Ed Beimfohr, Vietnam Veteran USMC The interspersion of past footage with present footage gives one the impression of seeing what the young soldier saw and felt in 1918. Col. Aaron Bank, U.S. Army, retired Father of the Green Beret It is a rare personal story that is compelling and captivating. George Ardenfriend Summit Daily News This video should be made compulsory in every American School. Grazia Francescato, President World Wildlife Fund, Italy In this remarkable film...paul stands as a symbol of America...he shares in the glory of victory and sacrifice he paid. This documentary is a must for those who wish to grab the essence of what it was to partake in that sacrifice. Salvatore J. Compagno, President The Great War Society
S Y N O P S I S Ten years in the making, this multi-award-winning documentary is the only one of its kind and, more important, the last of its kind. We follow ninety-three year old Paul, a decorated American World War I veteran, as he returns to France to visit those nightmarish days and nights of long ago. Lt., a company hand-to-hand combat expert with the famous 42nd Rainbow Division, was wounded three times while serving in France along the Western Front from 1917-1918. He returned to the United States in 1919 a broken man; physically and mentally. He was just another member of the Lost Generation. During his quest to find the actual sites where he stood as a young twenty-two year old soldier, French villagers are amazed to see this ancient warrior in their midst; as they have only read about American Doughboys in their history books. Their reaction to his spontaneous arrival reveals the love and affection the French people still have for all Americans that defended their country three-quarters of a century earlier. Paul s return to Europe to visit those grisly days of his youth, when death knocked upon his door, provides closure for this chapter of his life; involving this, the most tragic of wars. Whether he is looking for a German trench in the woods, or a fallen comrade s tombstone in a military cemetery, Paul confronts his past with awe and dignity. The following year Paul returns once again. On this trip he is celebrated as few Americans have been, when a street is named in his honor. More importantly, seven years later, at age one hundred and one, the French government bestows upon Paul its highest decoration for bravery: Legion of Honor, seventy-eight years after the Great War. This documentary is a very personal account of one of the last gentlemen of a dying era. He will forever be remembered as the last American WWI veteran to ever return to France.
C R E D I T L I S T WRITTEN, DIRECTED & PRODUCED CLARK CAMERA Parker Bartlett Josie Espiritu Tony Franke Brad Clark EDITOR Bill Cole LIGHTING/GRIPS Randy Paulson John Townsend Clayton Norcross Brad COMPUTER GRAPHICS John Rome SPECIAL THANKS Fred & Jerrie Carrillo Stanless Carrol Mark Van Alstyne Neil Affleck Randy Phipps - Edit Express Rob Lihani Digital Ranch, Inc. Greystone Communications, Inc. Rainbow Division Veterans Association Muriel Sue Parkhurst Veterans of World War I, Inc. Robert Guenette Guenette Productions The International Documentary Association MUSIC Scott Foster & Jennifer Wilson CLARK@ATT.NET IN MEMORIAM This film is dedicated to all the unknown men and women of The Great War
B I O G R A P H Y CLARK Writer, Director, Producer The award-winning feature-length documentary The Return of Paul represents Mr. s first solo project as writer, director and producer. In 1992, as a co-producer on the ground-breaking documentary Power and Fear: The Hollywood Graylist, he helped expose the hidden but rampant acts of age discrimination (ageism) within the television industry. Mr. has enjoyed a career that has spanned across several disciplines; allowing him to succeed at the humanist art of making poignant stories come alive. Trained as a history teacher Clark has taught at almost every level; from junior high school to the university. As a winner of two Telly Awards and six P.A.C.E Awards, Mr. has also made a career for himself performing on-camera as well, starring in television, film and stage. This is a very special project for Clark as it fulfills a commitment he made over ten years ago to his grandfather and to the remaining veterans of World War I. He promised them that he would finish this story so that others could learn about the horrors of trench warfare; the impact the First World War had on western civilization; and, most importantly, the sacrifices these men and women made so long ago. The Return of Paul is destined to be the last personal story ever completed on this subject matter.