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History
Through Film
A great way to learn about the history of the transcontinental railroad
is through film. Those who visit Golden Spike National Historic Site
can see a variety of movies that bring the story to life. There are
five entertaining and informative films shown regularly at the park.
They range from silent films to cartoons; there is something for everyone.
During busy times the movies are shown on a schedule, but most of
the time we allow visitors to make requests so they can watch the
film they are most interested in.
Below is a list of the five movies shown regularly at the visitor
center.
Andrew J. Russell A Visual Historian:
This twenty-five minute film details the life and work of the photographer
commissioned to document the construction of the transcontinental
railroad by the Union Pacific crews. This is an excellent film,
full of photographs of actual construction of the transcontinental
railroad during the 1860s.
Golden Spike:
The Golden Spike movie offers a wonderful overview of the
building of the nation's first transcontinental railroad and its
completion at Promontory on May 10, 1869. Running time; 18 minutes
The Great Train Robbery:
Thanks to the efforts of Edwin S. Porter and Thomas Edison, this
1903 film was the first feature motion picture ever made. Machinists
and factory workers from Mr. Edison's laboratories were used, and
Max "Bronco Billy" Anderson soon became the first western film star.
Running time; 11 minutes
Jupiter and No. 119: Recreating the Locomotives of the Golden Spike:
This twenty-five minute film describes in detail the construction
of Golden Spike's steam engines, Jupiter and No. 119,
fully functional replicas of the original locomotives that met at
Promontory on May 10, 1869. The movie chronicles the "rebirth" of
these locomotives from their first drawings to their delivery at
Promontory in 1979. Running time; 25 minutes
This is America Charlie Brown: The Building of the Transcontinental
Railroad:
For children or for those who are just young at heart, you can join
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang as they tell the
story of the building of the country's first transcontinental railroad.
This is an outstanding film for kids and adults alike. Running
time; 30 minutes
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