Dartmouth's Orozco Mural, "The Epic of American Civilization"

"The Orozco Mural Quetzalcoatl"

The Dartmouth College Library was awarded a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) to preserve and make accessible "The Orozco Mural Quetzalcoatl", a 23-minute, color film written, produced, and directed in 1961 by Robert Canton '58. The film's purpose is to tell the myth of Quetzalcoatl as depicted in "The Epic of American Civilization" frescos painted by José Clemente Orozco in Baker Library. Using camera techniques such as pans, close-ups and long shots, and aided by Theodore Newman's dramatic score and a minimal narration, Canton makes the murals come alive.

At its release in 1962 the film received three citations for Specific Excellence from the Second Annual Boston International Film Festival. These citations were: outstanding use of the film medium for educational purposes; realization of inherent potential; and original musical score. The Theodore Newman score was conducted by former "Tonight Show" conductor Skitch Henderson.

The NFPF grant supported the creation of a new preservation master copy and DVD. The film will be premiered in the Spring 2012 in conjunction with the Hood Museum of Art's special exhibit "Men of Fire: José Clemente Orozco and Jackson Pollock".