Originally Posted by p kirkes

I don't recall any modern movie that revolves around the war of 1812, the battle of Fort McHenry.

I acknowledge my limitations about this event in American history save that's were and when Francis Scott Key penned the poem that became our national anthem.

What I have in mind is to write a screen play of this war using a multi thread technique with the main characters being Francis Scott Key, the British Admiral commanding the fleet and the Commandant of Fort McHenry.

The background will be of course the cause of the war, it's progress up to the battle for Baltimore and the military need to take Fort McHenry.

Important supporting roles are the flag maker and her business, the lawyer that sent Mr. Key to the British, the black soldier that was killed in action and the bombardment crews of the British fleet and the American fort.

The time period of the drama will be over a short time span, after the background for the war has been established. First, the arrest of the lawyer, the intercession of Mr. Key, the preparation of Fort McHenry, the need for a bigger flag, deciding it's dimensions and how it was constructed, the gathering of the British fleet and their associated logistics, the bomb ships (barges), their construction and armament. All the characters and threads of this drama will be coming together to meet in that fateful 24 hours.

The drama will climax in the firing of the first ranging shells followed by a crescendo of bomb ships bombarding the fort, shell/bombs bursting, rocket and cannon firing and explosions in/on/above the fort. The dense smoke and Erie red flames from the fort, make the scene surreal. Shown will be the Americans cannon responding from the fort taking a toll (small) on the British fleet, maybe a misfire were a mortar blows up killing it's redcoat crew.

The whole panoramic scene unfolds before Mr. Key and he is thus inspired to write, in stages as the night progresses, his poem until the dawn reveals that the American Fort's huge flag is still flying.

Did you know that the British admiral had orders to withdraw his fleet if the flag was still flying at dawn?

How cool would it be to have Mr. Key softly intone the words "our flag is still there" as he hurriedly scribbles them down on the page. Then in the next moment, the lookout on the mainmast of the British command ship of the Line yells down to the admiral "their flag is still there". And the British Admiral turning, echoing in disbelief "their flag is still there"? Then turning to his #2 gives the order to "withdraw the fleet".

The movie ends with the guns ceasing fire, the smoke clearing, the ships of the fleet making visible turn abouts, the Fort's commandant climbing to the top of the forts parapet with Sabre in hand and "Old Glory" shot through, torn and a little shredded proudly waving in the background. Whew, what a movie that could be. Stand up and salute.