A new independent feature film project Saratoga: The Turning Point, is gaining traction on its journey to becoming a major motion picture masterpiece, with an acclaimed director, first-rate talent, breath-taking cinematography, and an ethereal soundtrack.  

Not afraid of an uphill battle, US Army veteran Mark O’Rourke began this project in 2012 to remind the nation that when its people are willing to pay any price, bear any burden, and endure any hardship, they can change the world. 

“The nation is at a crossroads. It is vitally important that America’s youth understand the immense courage, grit, love, sacrifice, and wisdom it took to gain our independence. We are passing on the torch of the sacred fire of liberty to them. So, we simply must share this compelling story with the widest possible audience. Love of country matters. We must use this moment in time to share this crucial history with the next generation,” he said. 

A Story So Rich…

This screenplay, informed by what O’Rourke calls a “dream team” of historians (including James Kirby Martin, PhD and US Army Col. (Ret.) Kevin Weddle, PhD) is the story of America’s stunning victory at Saratoga. This “ace-in-the-hole” put Benjamin Franklin in a position where he was able to secure the support of the French crown for the American cause, changing the course of the war and, ultimately, of world history. 

The script was created by feature film writer and producer Robert Burris (who has worked on a number of successful projects including the popular Warner Brothers television sitcom, Growing Pains, which ran for seven seasons in the 1980s). Shooting is expected to take place at multiple locations in the area, including Lake Champlain, Lake George, and on the grounds of (or as near as possible to) the Saratoga National Historical Park. 

“In the military, our ethos is to accomplish the mission,” said O’Rourke, who is hoping to raise $75 - $125 million to fund the film. Since launching fundraising initiatives in October last year, 200+ companies and organizations have signed on as “Friends of the Film.” and social media for the project has already garnered 30,000 followers, a number O’Rourke hopes will grow to 100,000+ over the next year. 

The American Dream

Taking part in, and reflecting on our past, while looking toward the future, this film promises a renewed spirit of patriotism, fueled by a unity of purpose among our fellow Americans. 

O’Rourke fondly remembers being deeply moved by the significance of the country’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976, when he was just six years old. Now, as the country prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, and the stirring American victory in Saratoga, O’Rourke said that every effort will be made to ensure that the film is ready for this milestone. It is widely believed that without the consequential victory at Saratoga, there would not have been the culminating victory at Yorktown, the triumph that led to the war’s end and the Treaty of Paris. 

Keeping the light of liberty burning brightly, O’Rourke said this motion picture will serve as a vehicle to elevate the nation’s awareness of it’s past, and the singular significance of Saratoga as the decisive turning point in the Revolutionary War, well into the future. 

For more information about Saratoga: The Turning Point movie, and to donate, go to https://1777.org Follow the film’s progress on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Tik Tok @77TurningPoint