The 14th President
A feature-length narrative film on the tragic life of Franklin Pierce
From an original screenplay by Bill Millios and Matthew E. Thomas
In the shadow of the American presidency, Franklin Pierce's rise to power and tragic downfall reveal the untold story of a man haunted by unimaginable personal loss and political turmoil, striving to leave a legacy in a nation on the brink of civil war.
"Pierce was a gentleman and a man of courage."
- Ulysses S. Grant
His Story
In 1853, Franklin Pierce is inaugurated as the 14th President of the United States. Beset with unimaginable personal tragedy (having lost all three of his children - one violently killed in a train accident less than two months before his inauguration) as well as a difficult marriage Pierce sees his meteoric political future (he never lost an election) suddenly fall victim to political challenges that risk expanding the political division of the nation as his controversial Kansas Nebraska Act unexpectedly turns into a bloody mini-Civil War.
In addition, misfortune constantly plagues him - from being accused of being a lifelong alcoholic, though for much of his adult life, he was alcohol-free (his rival Whigs describe Pierce as being a “winner of many a well-fought bottle”) to being charged with cowardice due to an accident in the Mexican War, though in reality it was completely the opposite. Pierce's presidency includes some disastrous but well-meaning intentions undermined by unforeseen twists as the nation inches toward a Civil War that he is determined to prevent. As Pierce adheres to the limits of the Constitution, the Union’s eventual triumph will leave him with an overly maligned and misunderstood legacy, unlike any other United States president.
Pierce was challenged with a nation breaking apart at the seams as Northern abolitionists continued to stir up the slavery issue (before and after his presidential term) while the Southern states continued to threaten succession. Near the end of his four-year term, Pierce suffers the humiliation of not being re-nominated by his own party. The Democratic Party instead selects James Buchanan as its next nominee and Pierce leaves the presidency in March 1857.
In the end, Pierce paid an enormous political price for his inability to be farsighted enough to recognize that the Constitution needed to change and adapt to the changing social mores of the times as the young nation grew. While Abraham Lincoln originally shared many of Pierce’s political positions safeguarding the Constitution in allowing slavery, because seven states seceded after he was elected President, this afforded Lincoln the luxury of pivoting his earlier position on maintaining slavery in the South - unlike Pierce who struggled to keep the union from dissolving and breaking out into a dreaded Civil War. As did many of his political peers, despite law-abiding measures and well-meaning intentions, Franklin Pierce ultimately fell on the wrong side of history. In 1869 Franklin Pierce passes away in the middle of the night in Concord, New Hampshire at the age of 64, a misunderstood and forgotten former President of the United States, his story largely untold.
The Screenplay
Screenplay by Bill Millios & Matthew E. Thomas
Library of Congress Copyright Registration
# PAu 4-254-961
In 2021 filmmaker Bill Millios and historian Matthew Thomas began to meet weekly to research, outline, and eventually, write a feature-length screenplay on the life story of their state's only president, Franklin Pierce. Their goal was to be as thorough, fair and factual as possible. Primary sources were utilized whenever available, and countless research sessions took place on published materials and online content.
The end result is a comprehensive 188-page screenplay entitled The 14th President. The film attempts to humanize this often besieged President by examining his mindset through the challenges he faced during his lifetime, not only while serving as President but also through several family tragedies. The film takes place primarily between 1842 to 1869 and the screenplay details not only Pierce's life but also a story set during a time in American history that has largely been ignored.
We first see a frail Pierce in 1869 at 64 years old, alone at his seaside cottage in North Hampton, New Hampshire. He remembers his childhood and the strong influence his father had on him. Benjamin Pierce had been the state’s governor and had instilled a life-long passion for politics and service in young Franklin, which he would retain his entire life. Locations include New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington, DC. The main characters are Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, his wife Jane Pierce, and their two young sons, Frank Robert and Bennie. Secondary characters include Pierce's best friend, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife Sophia, his administration’s Private Secretary Sidney Webster, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, Attorney General Caleb Cushing, Secretary of State William Marcy, and Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas. Past Presidents seen briefly include Millard Fillmore and James Buchanan.
Bill Millios is the owner of Back Lot Films, Inc. HippoPress wrote that "Millios has earned a reputation as one of the state's leading documentary and commercial filmmakers." Millios' two feature-length films, 'Old Man Dogs' (1997) and 'Dangerous Crosswinds' (2005), were well-received in Variety, The Boston Globe and America Online and screened at theaters throughout New England. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1988. In addition, he taught Film History and Video Production at Southern New Hampshire University for nine years. Bill and his wife Valerie and son Paul live in Fremont, New Hampshire.
Matthew E. Thomas studied architecture, archaeology, and Early American History at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He has devoted his life to researching, writing, publishing, promoting, and preserving New England’s colorful heritage. He founded New England Historical Research Associates in 1978, and provided lectures, seminars, historical and genealogical research, and consulting services. He has published sixteen history books over the past 50 years. Matthew and his wife Sharon are longtime, active residents of Fremont, New Hampshire.
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The Film
In development
With the screenplay completed the film is currently in pre-production and working towards securing financing.
Updates will be posted as financing goals are met and the stages of film production begin.
