Latest Reviews

STEVEN SCHMIDT, environmental activist/educator/founder GreenPolicy360:  "From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and The Story of America the Beautiful" is a film meant for our time. In an era where waves of grievance with American institutions, life and politics are spreading coast-to-coast, this film reminds of the beauty, ideals and the tribulations arising from our land and the experiment we call a 'democratic republic'. The surprising real story behind our most popular song should be seen from sea to shining sea, especially by young Americans. Hope for a better tomorrow is here all around us.

BOB SAMPAYAN, Former mayor of Vallejo, California:  What an amazing film!  I've just finished it and plan to watch it again. Congratulations on a fine piece of work.  It's definitely an award winner!

GUS SPETH, Former director United Nations Development Program and Dean, Yale Environment School:  FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA is a masterpiece!  So well done, beautifully moving, and timely. It made an old codger cry.  It deserves an Oscar.  How can I help? 

RICK STEVES, Travel writer and PBS personality:  FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA is a beautiful story beautifully told.  I hope it gets the traction it deserves! Bravo!

TIM PALMER, photographer, author of The Heart of America and other books, Oregon: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA reveals a hidden story that strikes to the heart of what America is and, unexpectedly, to questions of what our country does. This short but poignant film resonates in today’s world of tragic cultural turbulence by pointing out the power of both literary and political engagement. And, most explicitly, we see here the often underrated importance of beauty—yes, pure, undeniable beauty—in the impending fate of our nation and our planet. It’s an eloquent reminder of what it really means to be an American.

MAGGIE MONTGOMERY, Social Studies teacher, Lincoln High School, Seattle: As a high school history teacher I can say this is a great resource! The documentary presents Bates’ life in an engaging way and ties in important historical context throughout. Students will be able to relate to her experiences while also gaining an understanding of what life was like at the turn of the 20th century.

ROSS PETERSON, Professsor of History, Utah State University: Great beginning--all of the classic stars singing a line is compelling.  The use of her writings and the many photos works well.  It is illuminating to give context to each line of the song through some personal and historical reality.  The period the USA is leaning into right now is fairly similar in many regards to  “the Gilded Age".  Especially when you consider the drive to eliminate all regulation.   Even the talk about renaming the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America and acquiring Greenland, Panama, etc.   We do not need another round of imperialism.  FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA is a home run to dead center.   

JEFFREY BILBRO, Editor-in-Chief, Front Porch Republic: From Sea to Shining Sea tells a wonderful story—and does so beautifully—about the song that should be America’s national anthem. Katharine Lee Bates articulates the kind of chastened, sober-minded hope that can continue to inspire and guide us today.

ANDERS HAYDEN, Associate Professor of Political Science, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA helped me to appreciate the history and meaning behind America the Beautiful. A particularly important idea is Katharine Lee Bates’s hope that America would acknowledge its flaws while honouring its most beautiful ideals, pointing toward a positive patriotism (which we also need in Canada, where the growing and necessary acknowledgement of our historical and current flaws has led to an erosion of a sense that there are also positive elements of our national story). It's a great film with important messages for our times.

HOWARD KARGER, Former Dean of Social Work, University of Houston, Miami of Ohio and University of Queensland, Australia:  This film is incredibly moving, and presented a history that American students are not learning. I only wish it could be shown in every US classroom. The film moved at a nice pace and the content, form, and message were well integrated. It was a polished piece and a real joy to watch.  As a social welfare historian with a focus on early settlement houses, I was aware of female reformers like Vida Scudder. However, I never came across Bates. It's truly a pity that the period of history covered is lost to most Americans, except scholars. 

TERESA CASTLE, Former foreign news editor, San Francisco Chronicle:  Through first-person narrative, art and song, “From Sea to Shining Sea” creates a vivid portrait of the surprising and fascinating life of Katharine Lee Bates, author of “America the Beautiful.” The film skillfully weaves Bates’s personal story with the historical events that shaped her worldview and zeal for social reform. The result is a clear-eyed portrait of a woman who gave voice to an increasingly rare and valuable sort of patriotism -- one that melds empathy, social criticism and idealism and asks us not to “love it or leave it” but to love it and work to make it better.

JULIE EARDLEY LEWIS, entrepreneur and businesswoman, Portland, Oregon: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA  is beautiful and so timely!  It brought tears to my eyes.  It is so important to get this film out now..to remind us we are not going back! And what an amazing woman she was, her poetry so meaningful. A fantastic job! 

MELINDA MESSINEO: Professor of Sociology, Ball State University, Indiana: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful, completely reshaped my understanding of the song so many of us learned back in school. It is a powerful and engaging story about an amazing woman and the country she loved. It is a perfect addition to my introductory courses and is exceptionally timely and relevant. It is a beautiful gift of a film that you will be excited to share with others.  

KARIN DE WEILLE, Writer and former literature professor, John Jay College and University of Toronto: I’m so grateful for this film. The song which is part of the fabric of our culture has acquired new depth for me, and new feeling. The film, by narrating Katharine Lee Bates’ story from her perspective, took me inside her mind and heart and showed me, through her shining example, how a profound love of country can come—must come—with a keen eye for how it has yet to realize its ideals. The film, covering a broad swath of American history, draws on Bates' own eloquent words and powerful poems as well historical documents, images, and poignant renderings in water color to evoke the many tragedies of her times. I hope as many Americans as possible see this film. Then, every time we hear Bates’ love song to America, every time we sing it ourselves, we'll remember the history that it refers to and the feelings that Bates poured into its verses.

KATHY O’KEEFE, Professor Emeritus, University of South Alabama: As divided as Americans are today, it seems ironic that when America the Beautiful is sung, everyone is drawn to its deeply emotional message.  That it has been an anthem embraced by our country’s finest soloists, choral groups and church choirs shows the power of Katherine Lee Bates’ gift for poetry.  But as we know, beautiful poetry often carries a gut punch.  Bates wove the extremes of wealth and poverty and war and peace into lines that challenge us to mend our “every flaw.”  This moving, visually and musically appealing film offers context to the content of America the Beautiful, inviting us all to embrace its message with greater passion!

MAUREEN MOFFITT WILT, Professor Emeritus, University of Central Missouri: In my 25 years of teaching at the university level, I’ve shown several ofJohn deGraaf’s films to my classes, with a very positive response. His newest film, From Sea to Shining Sea, is also superbly crafted for guiding students to find parallels from the past to salient present-day issues. The film empowers young Americans, offering hope, inspiration and a way forward.

DANIEL DUSTIN, Professor Emeritus, University of Utah: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA - Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful" is a highly engaging documentary film that would make a great teaching tool for high school and college classrooms. The film covers a broad swath of American history in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries through the eyes of a most consequential poet, author, and academician. It portrays America's larger struggle with social and environmental justice issues through the life of one civic-minded and highly influential woman. I am confident that this film, employing visual splendor with a tightly woven narrative, will hold students' attention and motivate them to delve deeper into the events that have helped shape our nation's history.

DAVID WACKERBARTH, former high school social studies teacher and department chair and member of the State of Washington Office of Public Instruction Educational Reform Team: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA provides a valuable addition to Social Studies curricular materials. The usage of period photography and documents is mixed creatively with muted watercolors, background music, engaging narration and expert commentary to convey the rich life and work of the poet Katherine Lee Bates in the context of  the storied grandeur of this beloved but also, flawed, nation.

LARRY LONG, Singer, songwriter, Minneapolis:  I had no idea of who Katharine Lee Bates was, as a person, until after viewing FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA.  This film documents such important times - Suffrage,  Bread & Roses, War and Peace.  Truly important art for our times.  

KEVIN CASTLE, Pioneer West Coast longshorewoman and union  activist, Seattle:  This is a GORGEOUS film! I am so impressed with it and with Bates herself. It is such a beautiful lesson in American history, told so movingly, so accessibly. I loved the soundtrack, and the vocals. The narration and stunning, layered visuals told the story so well.

STEVE DUNSKY, Video and film director, District 5 United States Forest Service, California:  Beautiful work.  Very moving and much needed. Looking forward to helping with screenings.

STEPHEN KINZER: Historian and former New York Times reporter, Boston:  A wonderful job.  Does Bates justice, which is saying a lot.

MAURI MOORE SHULER, Retired televsion news producer, NBC News, Seattle: There is history and then there is Herstory. Katharine Lee Bates, profiled in this new documentary "From Sea to Shining Sea,” contributed greatly to the history of the United States. I think, literally, everyone knows the song, America the Beautiful.  What they probably don’t know are all the verses and the meanings behind them. This film should be seen in every school, church, library and home in this country. It could actually make a difference. It is a joy to watch but, more important, it is an inspiration. Don’t miss it and watch for the original artwork and music compositions.

BETH GARREN, Former teacher, Minneapolis:  I feel full and quite reverent after watching Katherine Bates’ film, her story, our story.   This film has captured so much of the heart and mind of the person who created one of the most moving songs I know.  

STEVEN MCFADDEN, Independent Journalist, author of Legend of the Rainbow Warriors:  A long, strong standing round of applause and cheers for From Sea to Shining Sea. It's wonderful in all ways, all the right ways. We Americans need a moving remembrance of our hearts, our shared dreams, our possibilities together. This film accomplishes that. I was enthralled. Uplifted. Strengthened. Encouraged!

CYLVIA HAYES, Author and Former First Lady of Oregon:  This is so danged GOOD!! Let me know when I can share this.

MICHAEL MODZELEWSKI, Naturalist and Historian, Princess Cruise Lines Florida.  I love how the film opens with different voices singing the song accompanied by the stunning visuals (that Half Dome sunset shot!)  Then the cool transition from Whitman’s singing to America suffering — bringing in the depth and struggles of that time. Should be required viewing in every school and congress across the land.

DEIRDRE GODFREY, Teacher, Springfield, Massachusetts:  A beautiful film and an inspiring story!  It’s an important statement, a central corrective for our culture.  It incorporates ways of looking that perhaps are known to spiritual souls and to artists and to hikers and environmentalists and to indigenous people everywhere.  What has become peripheral must become central. 

TOM MORAN, Professor of political science, Jinan University, China:  Enjoyed it, never bored. Fairly captured the times in which she lived. Graceful handling of her relationship. The use of many different forms of the singing at the beginning was masterful. Loved the photographs-- every bit as good as Ken Burns!. Editing was superb. I thought the song flowed through the story of her life and the film very well.

JANICE RAPP, Former high school English and social studies teacher, Seattle:  Very moving. And it clipped right along , so I think it would work well with high school students. 

SHARLA GARDNER, Former Duluth, Minnesota City Council member and Union leader:  The life of Katherine Bates is a metaphor for American activists who believe in the stated ideals of our countrys founders. Her song "America the Beautiful", ALL stanzas, is a tribute to our country's promise and beauty, as well as a warning against greed and hubris. The first step toward heeding that promise and warning is to make "America the Beautiful" our national anthem. Beautiful film.

STEFANO BARTOLINI, Professor of Economics, University of Siena, Italy.  I have seen the film and I greatly enjoyed it! Bates emerges as a great person, very advanced for her times. The many old photos are really amazing! The message touches the hearts and the minds of the audience.