The Geometry of the City of God

In my upcoming film “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love” I try to make the case for Emerson’s fearlessness. For Emerson was in fact fearless. He walked away, early in his life, from security, from comfort…in short, from the ministry of Christ.  It seemed inevitable that Emerson would leave the ministry. Oh, the sermonizing […]

Shooting My New Film “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love”

I’m making a film about Ralph Waldo Emerson. Yes, that’s the guy you’ve heard of, perhaps know something about. Perhaps you have a distant memory of having to read the essay “Self-Reliance” or, Heaven help you, “Compensation.” You tried, you really did… but then you gave up. “Where the hell is this guy going?” you […]

New documentary on Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Mezzotint portrait.

Announcing 217 Films’ New Documentary “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love”  ASHFORD, CONNECTICUT (June 9, 2022) – Connecticut-based independent filmmakers Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton of 217 Films announce that their new film project will be a new full-length documentary on America’s greatest philosopher and thinker, Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Ralph Waldo Emerson: Give All to Love” will be their […]

American Filmmakers Achieve London Blue Plaque for Sir Kenneth Clark

Connecticut-based independent filmmakers Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton of 217 Films announce with pleasure that on August 19, 2021 Sir Kenneth Clark has been honored in London with an English Heritage London Blue Plaque. Kenneth Mackenzie Clark (1903-1983) was an eminent scholar, writer, arts administrator, television executive, and one of the foremost lecturers and thinkers […]

“Civilisation and America” Virtual Premiere at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

“Civilisation and America”: A New Film by Michael Maglaras Has Virtual Premiere This Week at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Connecticut-based independent filmmaker Michael Maglaras of 217 Films announces with pleasure that, beginning today, his new film “Civilisation and America” – celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first American public television broadcast […]

Now Available: New Film “Civilisation and America” Streaming on Vimeo

“Civilisation and America” is now available to rent or purchase on Vimeo via digital streaming. To view a trailer, or to rent or purchase securely via streaming, go here.   This new documentary film celebrates the 50th anniversary of the U.S. premiere of the groundbreaking BBC television series Civilisation. Connecticut-based independent filmmakers Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton of […]

“Civilisation and America” Director’s Statement

This film is an homage.    My primary motivation in making a film is admiration. This film is no exception. I admire Lord Kenneth Clark. I admire his epic, groundbreaking thirteen-part television series Civilisation.   This celebratory documentary is, in a general sense, about Clark and about Civilisation…but it is more about what happened when Americans first […]