Rediscovering George Washington WHAT DO PUNCH & JUDY, PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH, AND THE OSCARS HAVE TO DO WITH THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY? FOLLOW HISTORIAN RICHARD BROOKHISER ON HIS PERSONAL JOURNEY. PREMIERES JULY 4, 2002 ON PBS AT 9:30PM (check local listing) Most Americans know three things about George Washington-he crossed the Delaware, he was the first President, and he grew hemp at Mount Vernon. Their only image of him is the old man with false teeth on the quarter and the dollar bill. He is an icon and a myth. But his strength of character and personal conduct set the course for our successful democratic experiment. Rediscovering George Washington, a 90-minute documentary, takes a fresh look at our founding father and reintroduces him to his heirs as a living, breathing, and truly remarkable human being. The program pioneers a fresh approach to American biographical documentary. Richard Brookhiser, the writer and host, is a passionate and involved presence, not an off-camera narrator. Brookhiser looks for modern analogs for the events and dilemmas Washington faced-getting the camera off old prints, out of the offices of talking heads, and away from stock footage of marching feet. When he talks to experts, they talk on location, standing where Washington stood. The first part of Rediscovering George Washington reveals how George Washington became the most powerful man in American history. He was America's first-and biggest-superstar; Brookhiser visits the Vanity Fair Oscar Party as a point of comparison. Washington could have been king or president for life. But, his rise to power wasn't easy or pre-ordained. Washington began the Revolutionary War by losing New York City to the British. He followed that up with eight years of losing more battles than he won. Contrary to legend, he did not teach his army to fight "Indian style." How did he win the war? Washington's charisma was based on his great strength. As a boy, did he really throw a rock across the Rappahannock River? Brookhiser finds five local high school pitchers to attempt the feat. Washington loved the theater, even popular shows like Punch and Judy. Brookhiser watches the climactic scene of Washington's favorite play-a mutiny of ancient Roman officers. Faced by a near-mutiny of his own officers, how did he re-write the play, and re-write history? In the second part of the film, Brookhiser explores Washington's world changing achievement. After winning the war and founding the nation, Washington gave up power and returned to Mount Vernon. This simple act allowed the nation to become a republic. The great temptation is to seize and hold power permanently. Washington resisted this temptation, unlike almost all strong men in history such as Caesar, Napoleon and, in our day, Hitler, Stalin and Mao. How did Washington, who had the least formal education of any American president, become the embodiment of Republican ideas? He studied a book called The Rules of Civility-which we watch young actors interpret today. What did his manners have to do with his greatness? Brookhiser talks to President George H. W. Bush about civility and the presidency. At their annual family picnic, descendants of Washington's slaves talk to Brookhiser. How could Washington own slaves yet remain true to his principles? Major funding for Rediscovering George Washington was provided by the Eugene B. Casey Foundation. Additional funding was provided by the John M. Olin Foundation, The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation, The William H. Donner Foundation, and the Gilder Foundation. Rediscovering George Washington will be broadcast nationally via PBS on July 4th at 9:30 PM, after the concert and fireworks. Check local listings. -- For Revolutionary War information on the Internet, your first choice should be AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG