Overwhelming succes movie night In the hour of Victory
Alderman Bouke de Bruin, Jordan Smith, Jonathan Smith, Anny Huberts, Oscar Huisman, Leo Janssen, Piet Peters, Harry Lutters, Tessel Bonekamp, Tonnie Ebben, Kamil Aerts.
Under great attendance, the unique docu-film “In the hour of Victory” about the life of Major Anthony Smith, who is buried at the Overloon War Cemetery, was broadcast at the Pit in Overloon on October 14th. Grandson Jonathan and great-grandson Jordan Smith had come over from Bermuda and London to attend.
Alderman Bouke de Bruin spoke warm words representing our municipality. More than 300 interested people, including many adopters of the graves as well as residents from Overloon and the surrounding area followed the compelling story of the Smith family. It was an unforgettable and highly successful evening for all concerned.
Reactions from the audience were laudatory, tears flowed, beautiful words were spoken. We as team Overloon War Chronicles are incredibly happy with what this evening brought to all involved. It exceeded all expectations. Many thanks to community centre the Pit for the excellent care and to all who contributed.
Jonathan and Jordan who have been in tow for several days by our team (more on that later) are incredibly grateful for this evening. In his thank-you speech, Jonathan had a beautiful and emotional request for all of us: If there is another such evening here in 20 or 30 years, make sure your children and grandchildren are in the audience. That they continue to understand the meaning of freedom and war.
About the film “In the hour of Victory”
Courage. Loyalty. Love. Sacrifice. Four core values that form the basis of this compelling documentary film about Bermuda Major Anthony F. “Toby” Smith and his American wife Faith during the Second World War.
Toby was killed on 14 October 1944 between Overloon and Merselo and was buried at the Overloon War Cemetery. But his memory lives on forever in this timeless story discovered in personal letters more than 50 years after the end of the war.
The grim reality of war, the German bombs on London, his military training in the UK, his departure for the front, his battles in Europe. His love for his wife Faith and the desire for the good life at home. They are all defining factors in this story.
This 2012 documentary film based on the book of the same name “In the Hour of Victory” won several awards after its release at major international film festivals in the United States and the United Kingdom, including best documentary and best directed documentary.
Yet this film has never been shown in Europe.
Overloon War Chronicles has succeeded in making contact with the producer and grandson of Toby, Jonathan D. Smith from Bermuda. Jonathan was honored to be able to present the film about his grandfather to the people of Overloon and other interested parties. Jonathan himself traveled from Bermuda to Overloon to be present at this belated European premiere of “In the hour of Victory”.
