Watch Saving Brinton

Saving Brinton is an inspiring documentary that follows Michael Zahs, a retired history teacher, and his passion for preserving history. The film is directed by Tommy Haines and Andrew Sherburne and produced by Sarah Sampson and Christine Beebe. The story of the film revolves around Michael Zahs, who lives in the small town of Washington, Iowa, and discovers a collection of films, photographs, and other artifacts belonging to William Franklin Brinton, a 19th-century showman. Brinton was a traveling exhibitor who visited towns across the Midwest, showing a variety of films and projected images to eager audiences.

The collection of films and artifacts found by Zahs in a farmhouse near his home is a treasure trove that includes some of the earliest examples of cinema, including a copy of the first film ever made by the Lumière brothers in 1895. Zahs becomes determined to preserve and showcase this unique collection of history, and the journey he embarks on is the focus of this documentary.

The film follows Zahs, along with a team of experts, including Serge Bromberg, a renowned collector and filmmaker, and Greg Prickman, the head of Special Collections at the University of Iowa, as they work to bring Brinton's collection of films and artifacts back to life. They travel across the country, from Iowa to France, to restore and present the collection to audiences.

What makes Saving Brinton a remarkable documentary is the passion and dedication of its main character, Michael Zahs. Zahs is a lovable character who cares deeply about preserving history and bringing it back to life. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to the history of his town and the Midwest.

Zahs's commitment to preserving the Brinton collection involves him in many challenges, including raising funds to finance the project and traveling to France to obtain permission to restore and display the Lumière brothers' films. The documentary gives viewers an insight into the challenges and triumphs of this journey, as well as Zahs's unwavering determination.

Throughout the film, we also get to see the collection's artifacts; the viewer can see a wide range of materials, including rare wax cylinder phonographs, vintage photographs, and many unique film reels. We also get to experience the magic of early cinema through the films that were screened during Brinton's time. The film scenes are not only visually stunning, but they also evoke emotions and memories of a long-gone era.

Another essential aspect of Saving Brinton is the music score. The original music by composer and musician, Michael R. Jantz, is hauntingly beautiful, and it perfectly captures the mood of the film's scenes. Jantz's music makes the documentary feel like a journey through time, taking the viewers back to the early days of cinema.

In conclusion, Saving Brinton is a beautifully crafted documentary that tells an inspiring and heartwarming story of a man's passion to preserve history. The film showcases not only the importance of preserving history but also the magic of the early days of cinema. The outstanding characters, the stunning visuals, and the enchanting soundtrack make this a must-watch film for anyone interested in history, cinema, or just an inspiring tale of human determination.

Saving Brinton is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 78.