Exhibit of Photographs from 1981 NHK Docudrama, "Flags Over Portsmouth"
“Flags Over Portsmouth: Local People in the Spotlight, Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905 & 1981,” an exhibit of photographs captured from the mini-series produced by NHK Japan television, was displayed in the Portsmouth Public Library in 2008.
In the summer of 1981, an NHK television crew from Japan spent time in New Hampshire filming a mini-series docudrama about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty. The production included a number of Seacoast residents as extras in many scenes. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum has a copy of the film, which is dubbed in English.
In 2015 excerpts from the film were shown at the Portsmouth Public Library. Scenes from the docudrama that were shot in Portsmouth include: the parade route through the South End, Strawbery Banke, the congregations in St. John's Church, a recreated Governor's Ball at Wentworth By the Sea with Governor Hugh Gallen (left) portraying 1905 NH Governor John McLane, and The Metro (masquerading as a London bar). Rather than show the entire film which is eight hours long, the screening featured only the scenes with locals. Many New Hampshire and Maine residents have roles in the film, among them Sherm Pridham, Sam Jarvis and Rev. Allen (retired from St. John's in Portsmouth). Thanks to publicity in 2008 when the Library hosted an exhibit of stills from the film, the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum heard from others involved in the production, including production assistants and members of the Nevers 2nd Regiment Band of Concord who re-enacted their role in the August 8, 1905 Welcome Parade. More than 300 local residents responded to the call for “extras” including many schoolchildren who turned out for the parade scenes, as did residents who donned period costumes for the recreated welcoming reception filmed at Wentworth By the Sea.
In the summer of 1981, an NHK television crew from Japan spent time in New Hampshire filming a mini-series docudrama about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty. The production included a number of Seacoast residents as extras in many scenes. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum has a copy of the film, which is dubbed in English.
In 2015 excerpts from the film were shown at the Portsmouth Public Library. Scenes from the docudrama that were shot in Portsmouth include: the parade route through the South End, Strawbery Banke, the congregations in St. John's Church, a recreated Governor's Ball at Wentworth By the Sea with Governor Hugh Gallen (left) portraying 1905 NH Governor John McLane, and The Metro (masquerading as a London bar). Rather than show the entire film which is eight hours long, the screening featured only the scenes with locals. Many New Hampshire and Maine residents have roles in the film, among them Sherm Pridham, Sam Jarvis and Rev. Allen (retired from St. John's in Portsmouth). Thanks to publicity in 2008 when the Library hosted an exhibit of stills from the film, the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum heard from others involved in the production, including production assistants and members of the Nevers 2nd Regiment Band of Concord who re-enacted their role in the August 8, 1905 Welcome Parade. More than 300 local residents responded to the call for “extras” including many schoolchildren who turned out for the parade scenes, as did residents who donned period costumes for the recreated welcoming reception filmed at Wentworth By the Sea.
