They Shall Not Grow Old

Commissioned in 2018 by Britain's Imperial War Museum to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I, "They Shall Not Grow Old" is truly a one-of-a-kind production.

Never-before-seen footage of the First World War, colorized and digitally transformed to the highest modern standards under the direction of Peter ("Lord of the Rings") Jackson, provides viewers with an uncanny "you are there" sensation while witnessing events from a century ago. Explaining his decision to employ the often controversial practice of applying color to film originally shot in black and white, Jackson pointed out that if the soldiers saw the war in color, then modern audiences who want to come as close as possible to experiencing what they went through should see it the same way. The film was shown free of charge on November 11 to an appreciative audience at the Lakewood History Museum, many of whom took part in the "talk-back" afterward. Light refreshments were served, and a drawing held for a $25 Applebee's gift certificate.