Chantilly (Ox Hill) Film Premieres In Fairfax, Va.
By Nancy Jennis Olds
May 2006
FAIRFAX, Va. — Chuck Mauro and Bert Morgan were elated when they saw 450 people lined up at the Cinema Arts Theater for the premiere of “The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill).”
Unfortunately, the Fairfax theater could only accommodate 290 people. However, disappointed patrons had an option; DVDs of the movie were on sale as well. And those who want to wait until May 5 will have two more chances to see it.
Never did Mauro and Morgan anticipate such a strong turnout for their independent film. Mauro is the author of <i>The Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill): A Monumental Storm</i>, published in 2002 by the Fairfax County History Commission. He teamed up with director Morgan after Morgan got a suggestion from Mauro’s publisher that he ought to interview Mauro about his book about the relatively obscure battle that took place Sept. 1, 1862, in their community.
They met for the Fairfax Public Access TV show “Virginia’s Living History” and decided to collaborate on a movie through Morgan’s production company, BLM Productions.
Filming began in 2003 and wrapped up in the fall of 2004. The battle scenes were shot in Frying Pan Park, close to the original battlefield. A segment featuring Al Stone as Gen. Robert E. Lee with his staff was filmed at historic Blenheim Estate in Fairfax. Some other scenes were shot at the Ratcliffe-Hanna House, the former home of Confederate spy Laura Ratcliffe.
The scene where the monuments were dedicated to two fallen Union generals was filmed at Ox Hill Battlefield Park. For two decades the Chantilly Battlefield Association has worked to preserve the little that is left of the battlefield. Last year the county began work on interpreting the park of less than 5 acres.
Mauro’s book was presented in the form of a travel guide with historical descriptions of locations familiar to the Union and Confederate forces as they gathered in Fairfax.
Mauro found the original sites, although many were considerably altered over 140 years. He photographed them, added battle maps, inserted period drawings and archival photographs and chronicled the developments of the Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill was the Confederate designation) and its subsequent place in history.
Mauro also wrote the screenplay, incorporating dialogue and speeches of the time. Instead of choosing mostly actors for the speaking roles, “We decided to let the reenactors have the lead speaking roles, something we don’t think is typically done” said Morgan.
“They really know how to play the roles and are very capable of handling their lines,” he said. Actors and reenactors from Historical Entertainment LLC and local reenactors filled the roles.
Some of the battle scenes required more fighting soldiers than were available. Special effects expert Craig Herron of Herron Designs used a cloning tool in his software to seamlessly recreate full armies.
The Battle of Chantilly was fought for about 2-1/2 hours during a driving rainstorm. Not relying on Mother Nature, Herron made a rainfall. This created the impression of weary and wounded soldiers, soaked to the skin, trying to muster enough strength to continue.
“The Battle of Chantilly” begins in May 1883 by a farmhouse on the former battlefield. Chantilly battle veterans Hazard Stevens and Charles Walcott are asking John Ballard, a one-legged Confederate veteran who fought with Col. John S. Mosby, for directions in their search for battlefield landmarks.
Hazard Stevens had fought under his father, Brig. Gen. Isaac Ingalls Stevens, at Chantilly. His father was mortally wounded while still grasping the national flag. Also falling that day was Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny.
The Union veterans strike up a conversation with Ballard about their memories, which take them back in time. The next scenes return to the day of the battle, to the moments leading up to the deaths of both generals. More than 270 soldiers were killed and 1,125 soldiers were wounded in the action.
After sweeping through graphic battle scenes including the deaths of Generals Stevens and Kearney, the movie fast-forwards to October 1915, the day two large granite monuments were dedicated to the generals by Kearny’s 1st New Jersey Brigade Society.
Ballard has donated land for the tribute to the generals. Hazard Stevens and John Watts Kearny, the son of Gen. Philip Kearny, join the dedication ceremony. James Ballard, the son of the Confederate veteran John Ballard, is mayor of the Town of Fairfax and a main speaker at the ceremony.
Current Mayor Robert Lederer portrays the mayor. The ceremony comes full circle as Civil War veterans, once former combatants, join together for the dedication in memory of the fallen Union generals and all the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs.
Mayor Ballard‘s closing remarks express the respect the former foes have for each other: “As time heals old wounds, so have ours been healed and you will find among those who greet you here today no lingering sense of animosity, but broad love and fellowship – such a welcome that only friends may extend; and only friends receive.”
Film is generally more suited to dramatic action and entertainment than the distillation of historical information. Hopefully, viewers with an interest in Civil War history will read Mauro’s book to gain more details on what transpired that bloody and stormy day.
The movie should appeal to residents of the Fairfax County. Morgan says it would not have been possible without the support of businesses, friends and historical organizations in the region, including Mark Tummarello DDS; the Fairfax County History Commission; Fair Oaks Mall; the William Norris, Frank Stringfellow and Robert E. Lee Sons of Confederate Veterans camps;
Also, the Living History Foundation; Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross; 17th Virginia Infantry, Co. D; 8th Virginia Infantry, Co. A; 33rd Virginia Infantry, Co. D; 2nd Maryland Infantry, Co. C; 7th West Virginia Infantry; 8th Virginia Infantry, Co. F; Sykes’ Regulars and many more volunteers and organizations who devoted considerable time and effort in making this movie.
Local composer David Rubenstein created the original musical score.
Due to the overwhelming response to the premiere, the movie will again be shown at the Cinema Arts Theatre on May 5 at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Admission is $5.
For further information, contact Morgan at bertmorgan@cox.net www.blmproductions.com or at (703) 378-9743. Author Chuck Mauro can be reached at cmauro10@aol.com or (703) 787-9879.
