The Warner Brothers film depicts John Litel as Patrick Henry as he makes an argument for colonial independence to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23rd, 1775 at St. Johns Church in Richmond, Virginia. It won the Academy Award for best short subject in 1937. The second segment of the film is an excerpt from the 1937 Vitaphone film titled “Romance of Louisiana”. A tax poster from the British Parliament is seen (:09) on a building with men inside debating the mobilization of Virginia against British imperialism (:17). The judge calls Patrick Henry to the floor (:29). Patrick Henry’s home is then shown in the midst of a party as his wife and party guests play an evening game (1:19). Patrick Henry is seen among guests in the study discussing politics (1:49). He sets to begin playing a song on his violin when one of the strings snaps (3:19) and he turns to another guest to sing a song he had written for the sons of liberty (3:27). When the guest protests that the song had been declared treasonous, Henry assures the man he will be at fault as he is the home owner and shuts the windows (3:40). Henry’s wife plays the piano for the tune (3:49) as British troops hear the song from outside the home (4:40). They then enter the home and set to place the writer of the song under arrest (5:01). Henry offers to go with the man (5:37). The film turns to an evening gathering at the residence of George Washington, played by Robert Warwick (6:22). A rider arrives with an urgent message for Washington (6:51) as British soldiers had attacked citizens. The messenger informs Washington, John Adams was calling for immediate action (7:03) and Washington decides to write to Patrick Henry (7:19). Henry reads the letter addressed to him from Washington calling for the armament of Virginia (7:25). Henry and his wife debate his heading the mobilization of Virginia and she decides to remain behind at their home (7:51). The scene is then St. John’s Church in Richmond Virginia as delegates arrived to discuss whether or not Virginia should mobilize (9:04). Henry and Washington meet outside the church (9:36). Washington sends for a courier to be sent to Henry’s wife (10:27). A British official informs Henry any speeches he might give would be considered an act of treason (10:38). Inside the church, one speaker denounces the armament of Virginia (11:31). Henry then stands to speak (11:41). Here the British Official races out for permission to arrest Henry (13:36). While Henry is delivering his speech, his wife is brought in to the meeting house (14:21). The most famed line from this speech is then heard; ‘Give me liberty or give me death” (18:54). Participants of the meeting are visibly aroused and two men set to knock out the British official as he returns to arrest Henry (19:11). The film switches to “Romance of Louisiana” as members of Jefferson’s cabinet (Jefferson played by Erville Alderson) debate the purchase and the population spreading east of the Mississippi River (20:12). James Monroe, played by Addison Richards, enters Jefferson’s office and the pair discuss Monroe being sent to France to negotiate the purchase (21:29). Monroe reads a letter from Robert Livingston on his route for France with his wife and daughter (22:58). Napoleon (23:26) plots to pit England and the United States against one another (24:48). Monroe, Livingston and Charles Talleyrand (played by Ian Wolf) bargain on the price of the Louisiana purchase (26:25). The film turns to the home of Mr. Eddington (26:39) as the US Ambassador, Mr. Rufus King, decides to send a courier to stop Madison from making the purchase (28:11) though the courier is intercepted by French officials and the message never reaches Madison. An evening gathering is hosted at the Palace of Fontainebleau (28:30). The British Ambassador, Lord Whitworth (28:37) enters the drawing room and greets Madame Bonaparte. Mr. Livingston and James Monroe then enter (28:56). Charles Talleyrand enters (29:20) followed by Francois Barbe-Marbois. Talleyrand and Marbois confess to Napoleon they had intercepted the courier for Madison (30:48). The pair then meet with Madison and Mr. Livingston and bargain over the price of the territory until Madison caves and makes the purchase for 15 million (31:54). Jefferson is seen in office as US officials panic over the high cost (32:27). On December 20th, 1803 the Louisiana territory became a part of the Union (32:57). In New Orleans, French authorities address the citizens and turn control over to the US authorities (33:03). The American flag is seen hoisted here as the French flag is lowered (34:28).

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