Under the Great Oak
Select Press:
“Michael Reynolds and team created a beautiful and realistic documentary about an iconic tree
and the events that surrounded its final demise... Very enjoyable!”
- Laura Willoughby, Director,
Bedford International Film Festival
“What a wonderful way for a community to honor and mourn this Great Oak tree.”
- Carlos Etzio Roman, President,
Docs Without Borders Film Festival
“'Under the Great Oak' is a moving exploration,”
- Jennifer Raphaels, Supervisor of Social Studies (K-12), Bernards Township Schools
“The film illustrates so well the profound impact of the 600 year-old tree,”
- Elie Porter Trubert, Executive Director, The Center for Contemporary Art
and the events that surrounded its final demise... Very enjoyable!”
- Laura Willoughby, Director,
Bedford International Film Festival
“What a wonderful way for a community to honor and mourn this Great Oak tree.”
- Carlos Etzio Roman, President,
Docs Without Borders Film Festival
“'Under the Great Oak' is a moving exploration,”
- Jennifer Raphaels, Supervisor of Social Studies (K-12), Bernards Township Schools
“The film illustrates so well the profound impact of the 600 year-old tree,”
- Elie Porter Trubert, Executive Director, The Center for Contemporary Art
Fast Facts:
- Under the Great Oak raises issues of environmentalism, smart urban/suburban development, American history, and the building of diverse communities.
- Concerning environmentalism: The Great Oak of Basking Ridge was the oldest white oak tree in America, and possibly the world, at 619-years old.
- Arborists reveal the complexity of trees, how modern landscaping “beautifying” techniques are harmful to the life of trees, and town planners struggle to “keep the green” in the face of development.
- Concerning history: George Washington met with the Marquis de Lafayette under the Great Oak to review battle plans for Revolutionary War and the Great Oak was located in the center of an historic graveyard where 35 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried.
