Mighty Mississippi

Ol’ Man River

The Story

The Mississippi River is a river of superlatives. It drains 41% of the continental US as well as parts of 2 Canadian provinces, in all more than one and half million square miles. It is now a vast commercial highway for super-barges, but it is so much more than that. Its bayous and swamps hide a spectacular natural history, and not only does this vital waterway run through the heart of America, it also runs through American history and culture like no other.

In 2 one hour films, Ol’ Man River explores all these faces of the world’s most famous river and reveals that, in the words of its most well known admirer, Mark Twain. It is not a commonplace river, but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable.

2007

16:9

2x 50min, 1x 90min

German & English

Production Team

Written & Directed by Michael Schlamberger, Steve Nicholls ● Photographed by Michael Schlamberger, Rolando Menardi, Kevin Flay ● Camera Assistant Martin Sochor ● Editor Andrew Naylor ● Online Edit Lukas Kogler ● Assistant Editor Manuel Steinwender ● Digital Effects Raimund Sivetz, Simon Wendler ● Music Kurt Adametz ● Performed by Kurt Adametz, Hannibal Means, Old Stoariegler Dixielandband ● Dubbing Editor Lukas Kogler ● Sound Design & Dubbing Mix Rupert Metnitzer, Raimund Sivetz ● Narrated by Howard Nightingall, Christian Rodska ● Colourist Willi Willinger ● Researchers Peter Praschag, John Capener ● Location Managers Ulrike Berger, Norm Bowers, Timothy Burke, Sally Durkin, Thomas Grooms, Jim O’Neil, Diane Norton, Chuck Ogee ● Archives Collection of Thomas H. Gandy and Joan W. Gandy and the Louisiana State University Libraries, National Park Service/Department of the Interior, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Mississippi River Commission, Monadnock Media Inc., Prelinger Archive, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ● Production Co-Ordinator Anita Pfeffinger ● Production Manager Rita Schlamberger ● Producer Michael Schlamberger ● Co-Producers Anne-Laure Négrin/ARTE, Renate Marel/ZDF ● Executive Producer Walter Köhler

Thanks to Jim Barnett (Grand Village Natchez), Queens Rangers UK, Andrew Sawyer (SunWatch Indian Village Ohio), Tennessee Aquarium Chattanooga, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge

A Co-Production of ScienceVision, ORF, ZDF and ARTE.