Film about the treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War to be shown August 22, 2015

• Portsmouth Peace Treaty film highlights to be shown Aug. 22

In the summer of 1981, an NHK television crew from Japan spent time in New Hampshire filming a mini-series about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty. The production included a number of Seacoast residents as extras in many scenes. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum has a copy of the film, which is dubbed in English.

Rather than show the entire film which is eight hours long, the screening at the Portsmouth Public Library will feature only the scenes with locals. The event is free and open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 in the Portsmouth Public Library Levenson Room.

Many New Hampshire and Maine residents have roles in the film, among them Sherm Pridham, Sam Jarvis and Rev. Allen (retired from St. John’s in Portsmouth). Thanks to publicity in 2008 when the Library hosted an exhibit of stills from the film, the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum heard from others involved in the production, including production assistants and members of the Nevers 2nd Regiment Band of Concord who re-enacted their role in the August 8, 1905 Welcome Parade.

Scenes from the docudrama that were shot in Portsmouth include: the parade route through the South End, Strawbery Banke, the congregations in St. John’s Church, a recreated Governor’s Ball at Wentworth By the Sea with Governor Hugh Gallen portraying 1905 NH Governor John McLane, and The Metro (masquerading as a London bar).

This year is the 110th anniversary of the peace conference that ended the Russo-Japanese War with the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty on Sept. 5. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day, Sept. 5, will be celebrated with the reading of the Governor’s Proclamation at Strawbery Banke and bell-ringing throughout the city at 3:47 p.m.

Other 110th anniversary events include the planting of Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial cherry trees, a visit from Portsmouth Sister City Nichinan, Japan by the Mayor, City Council president, additional city dignitaries and the director general and students from the Nichinan Gakuen Jr.-Sr. High School and an expanded Portsmouth Peace Treaty exhibit featuring rare Russian photographs.

To learn more about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty with these resources:

on a website recognized by the Library of Congress, www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.org

in an extensive exhibit of documents and artifacts, displayed at the John Paul Jones House Museum (43 Middle Street, Portsmouth)

in a Teacher’s Guide for grades 4-12

on the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail map available on the website.

WHAT: “Flags Over Portsmouth”

WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22

WHERE: Portsmouth Public Library Levenson Room

COST: Free and open to the Public

INFO: portsmouthpeacetreaty.org.

From: http://www.fosters.com/article/20150813/NEWS/150819797