Investigation of a Flame
Encyclopedia
Investigation of a Flame is a documentary about the Catonsville Nine
and their nonviolent act of civil disobedience
. This documentary film
examines the courageous attempt of protesters to call attention to the Vietnam War
.
draft board office and incinerated them with napalm
that they had made themselves. The objectors, led by brothers Daniel
and Philip Berrigan
became examples for other protesters to follow. Becoming martyrs was not the objective of the unconventional display of disagreement with the war and mandate of young Americans partaking in the devastation; however, the bravery displayed by the nine seemed to have been unparalleled at the time.
This 45 minute film includes interviews with six members of the pioneers from the 1968 expression, including the Berrigan brothers, John Hogan, Thomas Lewis
, and married couple Marjorie and Tom Melville. Their protest was an expression that has often been described as “poetic” and “visionary.” The film also includes commentary by historian Howard Zinn
, who evaluates what effects the stunning display of non-cooperation produced.
were: Philip Berrigan, Daniel Berrigan, David Darst, John Hogan, Tom Lewis, John Melville, Marjorie Melville, George Mische, and Mary Moylan. Of them, three were priests, one a nurse, and one an artist.
What did they do? Three of the group entered the Selective Service
office in a Knights of Columbus
building in Catonsville, Maryland
. They went past three employees who questioned their actions, but continued their mission. They retrieved A-1 draft records from filing cabinets and took them outside to the other participants. Hundreds of records were put inside wire baskets, covered in homemade napalm, and set aflame.
Where is Catonsville? Why is the location of the protest, Catonsville, such an important detail? It is a quiet suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. People do not tend to associate demonstrations with suburb
s.
Was it a chaotic disturbance? No. The Catonsville 9 prayed quietly while the draft files were burning. Members of the group also explained why they used a video camera throughout the protest.
How long did this event last? In less than 15 minutes the police arrived, the county firefighters extinguished the blaze, and the Catonsville 9 were escorted into a police vehicle.
Trial and Sentencing
Just 6 weeks after their demonstration, their trial began. It sparked Anti-War Protests at War Memorial Plaza and over 200 people attended the trial. The defendants were received with a standing ovation lasting 2 minutes. Two witnesses were called by the prosecution; both were employees from the office from which the draft records were seized. The defense did not call any witnesses, although, they were granted permission to share their reflections from the event. They stated that they did burn the files, but were not guilty. They also stated that they believed the war was immoral and responded “out of respect for a higher power.” The demonstrators were found guilty on every charge. The sentences ranged from 2 to 3.5 years depending on level of involvement and leadership of the protest.
Significance
This short, organized, and calm expression of civil disobedience received national coverage and stirred the American public. Thousands went to Baltimore in support of the protesters, and the trial was broadcast each night on all network television stations. http://c9.mdch.org/page.cfm?ID=23
: there is no omniscient narrator talking down to the viewer, reciting facts and explaining what to think, yet the story is perfectly clear. Brothers Phil and Dan Berrigan, who led the protest, appear both in the present and in archival footage, a mix that makes their commitment palpable, while images like a newspaper going in and out of focus remind us that shifting contexts alter our understanding of complex events.” Fred Camper, Chicago Reader
“These people were not Yippie
fist-shakers. All but one of the men wore suits. Investigation of a Flame captures the heartfelt belief behind the Nine's symbolic action of civil disobedience that sparked other (actions) like it across the nation. Sachs cannily avoids the usual documentary dance of talking head
s and file footage
by interspersing impressionistic shots. (The film) provides a potent reminder that some Americans are willing to pay a heavy price to promote peace.” Lee Gardner, Baltimore City Paper
“This is a documentary about the protest events that made Catonsville, Maryland, an unpretentious suburb on the cusp of Baltimore, a flash point for citizens' resistance at the height of the war. Sachs found assorted characters still firm to fiery on the topic. She came to admire the consistency of the mutual antagonists in an argument that still rages (today).” Francis X. Clines, The New York Times
Director Sachs herself describes the documentary as "an anatomy of a moment."
, the tradition of nonviolence can be traced back to the 17th century British colonies. There is a common misconception that the practice of nonviolence is synonymous with weakness, fearfulness and powerlessness. However, nonviolent action takes many forms and has inspired and driven change throughout history. As Staughton and Alice Lynd write in the introduction of their text “Nonviolence in America: A Documentary History,” nonviolence should encompass these elements:
The Lynds understanding of nonviolence emphasizes these characteristics, but also emphasizes that nonviolence is the vision of love as an agent for fundamental social change.
Catonsville Nine
The Catonsville Nine were nine Catholic activists who burned draft files to protest the Vietnam War. On May 17, 1968 they went to the draft board in Catonsville, Maryland, took 378 draft files, brought them to the parking lot in wire baskets, dumped them out, poured homemade napalm over them, and...
and their nonviolent act of civil disobedience
Civil disobedience
Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power. Civil disobedience is commonly, though not always, defined as being nonviolent resistance. It is one form of civil resistance...
. This documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
examines the courageous attempt of protesters to call attention to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Overview
Filmmaker Lynne Sachs released this award-winning documentary in 2001. Investigation of a Flame depicts the efforts of nine peace-promoting demonstrators to awaken America on May 17, 1968, when they obtained selective service records from a MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
draft board office and incinerated them with napalm
Napalm
Napalm is a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with gasoline or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device, primarily as an anti-personnel weapon...
that they had made themselves. The objectors, led by brothers Daniel
Daniel Berrigan
Daniel Berrigan, SJ is an American Catholic priest, peace activist, and poet. Daniel and his brother Philip were for a time on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for their involvement in antiwar protests during the Vietnam war....
and Philip Berrigan
Philip Berrigan
Philip Francis Berrigan was an internationally renowned American peace activist, Christian anarchist and former Roman Catholic priest...
became examples for other protesters to follow. Becoming martyrs was not the objective of the unconventional display of disagreement with the war and mandate of young Americans partaking in the devastation; however, the bravery displayed by the nine seemed to have been unparalleled at the time.
This 45 minute film includes interviews with six members of the pioneers from the 1968 expression, including the Berrigan brothers, John Hogan, Thomas Lewis
Thomas Lewis (peace activist)
Thomas Lewis was an artist, peace activist, and a father.Thomas Lewis was born on March 17, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, In the late 60s, he was involved in such "actions" as the Baltimore Four, who poured blood on draft files at the Baltimore Customs House in 1967, and Catonsville Nine, who...
, and married couple Marjorie and Tom Melville. Their protest was an expression that has often been described as “poetic” and “visionary.” The film also includes commentary by historian Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
, who evaluates what effects the stunning display of non-cooperation produced.
The Catonsville 9
Who were they? The names of the 9 people who participated in the non-violent, direct actionDirect action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
were: Philip Berrigan, Daniel Berrigan, David Darst, John Hogan, Tom Lewis, John Melville, Marjorie Melville, George Mische, and Mary Moylan. Of them, three were priests, one a nurse, and one an artist.
What did they do? Three of the group entered the Selective Service
Selective Service System
The Selective Service System is a means by which the United States government maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. Most male U.S. citizens and male immigrant non-citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to have registered within 30 days of...
office in a Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
building in Catonsville, Maryland
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
. They went past three employees who questioned their actions, but continued their mission. They retrieved A-1 draft records from filing cabinets and took them outside to the other participants. Hundreds of records were put inside wire baskets, covered in homemade napalm, and set aflame.
Where is Catonsville? Why is the location of the protest, Catonsville, such an important detail? It is a quiet suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. People do not tend to associate demonstrations with suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s.
Was it a chaotic disturbance? No. The Catonsville 9 prayed quietly while the draft files were burning. Members of the group also explained why they used a video camera throughout the protest.
How long did this event last? In less than 15 minutes the police arrived, the county firefighters extinguished the blaze, and the Catonsville 9 were escorted into a police vehicle.
Trial and Sentencing
Just 6 weeks after their demonstration, their trial began. It sparked Anti-War Protests at War Memorial Plaza and over 200 people attended the trial. The defendants were received with a standing ovation lasting 2 minutes. Two witnesses were called by the prosecution; both were employees from the office from which the draft records were seized. The defense did not call any witnesses, although, they were granted permission to share their reflections from the event. They stated that they did burn the files, but were not guilty. They also stated that they believed the war was immoral and responded “out of respect for a higher power.” The demonstrators were found guilty on every charge. The sentences ranged from 2 to 3.5 years depending on level of involvement and leadership of the protest.
Significance
This short, organized, and calm expression of civil disobedience received national coverage and stirred the American public. Thousands went to Baltimore in support of the protesters, and the trial was broadcast each night on all network television stations. http://c9.mdch.org/page.cfm?ID=23
Reviews
“This poetic essay offers the perfect antidote to PBSPublic Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
: there is no omniscient narrator talking down to the viewer, reciting facts and explaining what to think, yet the story is perfectly clear. Brothers Phil and Dan Berrigan, who led the protest, appear both in the present and in archival footage, a mix that makes their commitment palpable, while images like a newspaper going in and out of focus remind us that shifting contexts alter our understanding of complex events.” Fred Camper, Chicago Reader
“These people were not Yippie
Youth International Party
The Youth International Party, whose members were commonly called Yippies, was a radically youth-oriented and countercultural revolutionary offshoot of the free speech and anti-war movements of the 1960s. It was founded on Dec. 31, 1967...
fist-shakers. All but one of the men wore suits. Investigation of a Flame captures the heartfelt belief behind the Nine's symbolic action of civil disobedience that sparked other (actions) like it across the nation. Sachs cannily avoids the usual documentary dance of talking head
Talking head
Talking head may refer to:Computers and internet*Computer facial animation, area of computer graphics that animates images of the human head and face*Interactive online charactersFilm and television*Talking Head , 1992 film by Mamoru Oshii...
s and file footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
by interspersing impressionistic shots. (The film) provides a potent reminder that some Americans are willing to pay a heavy price to promote peace.” Lee Gardner, Baltimore City Paper
“This is a documentary about the protest events that made Catonsville, Maryland, an unpretentious suburb on the cusp of Baltimore, a flash point for citizens' resistance at the height of the war. Sachs found assorted characters still firm to fiery on the topic. She came to admire the consistency of the mutual antagonists in an argument that still rages (today).” Francis X. Clines, The New York Times
Director Sachs herself describes the documentary as "an anatomy of a moment."
Awards
- San Francisco International Film Festival
- New Jersey Film Festival
- Ann Arbor Film Festival
- First Prize Documentary Athens Film Festival
- Vermont Film Fest. Social Issue Doc. Award
Festivals
- National Broadcast on the Sundance Channel
- Maryland Film Festival "Opening Night"
- Museum of Modern Art, Documentary Fortnight "Opening Night"
- Rhode Island Film Festival
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Mill Valley Film Festival
- San Francisco Cinematheque
- Pacific Film Archive
- Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C.
- Olympia Film Festival
- Providence Women's Film Festival
- Denver Film Festival
- Harvard University Film Archive
- Cornell University Cinema
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- NY Underground Film Festival
- Vassar College
- Ithaca College
- Massachusetts College of Art
- Catholic University
- Maine Film Festival
- Florida Film Festival
- Georgetown University
- Brooklyn Academy of Music
- Portland Doc. Festival
- Wisconsin Film Festival
- Georgetown University's Jesuit Week
- American University Center for Social Media
Filmmaker
Lynne Sachs is a teacher of experimental film and video at New York University. Before discovering film, she was predominantly interested in writing and painting. She has written everything from articles and essays, to poetry and scripts. Sachs resides in Brooklyn with fellow filmmaker Mark Street and their two daughters.Nonviolence
Although most commonly associated with notable historical figures such as Mohandas Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, the tradition of nonviolence can be traced back to the 17th century British colonies. There is a common misconception that the practice of nonviolence is synonymous with weakness, fearfulness and powerlessness. However, nonviolent action takes many forms and has inspired and driven change throughout history. As Staughton and Alice Lynd write in the introduction of their text “Nonviolence in America: A Documentary History,” nonviolence should encompass these elements:
- Refusal to retaliate ("pacifismPacifismPacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
," "nonresistance") - Acting out of conviction by demonstrative action ("direct action")
- Deliberate lawbreaking for conscience's sake ("civil disobedience")
The Lynds understanding of nonviolence emphasizes these characteristics, but also emphasizes that nonviolence is the vision of love as an agent for fundamental social change.