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Retrospective: Un-American Activities 2025

In the King of Prussia

Emile de Antonio
In 1980, a group of radical pacifists break into a factory where nuclear weapons are produced. The film focuses on the trial against the activists which takes the form of a re-enactment.
Filmstill In the King of Prussia
Filmstill In the King of Prussia

In the King of Prussia

In the King of Prussia
Emile de Antonio
Retrospective: Un-American Activities 2025
Fictional Film
USA
1982
90 minutes
English
Subtitles: 
German
To put it bluntly, one could say that most of de Antonio’s films are courtroom dramas. In this sense, “In the King of Prussia” is typical – and at the same time unusual, starting with the title. King of Prussia is a small town in Pennsylvania which became the scene of an action by radical Christian pacifists in September 1980. They broke into a factory where, unbeknownst to the public, parts of the nuclear missile Mark 12A were produced, and held a happening inspired by the Sermon on the Mount and Fluxus. The film is a re-enactment, but not of the action, rather of the trial against the so-called Plowshares Eight. In de Antonio’s first video production, shot in the trial breaks, the defendants played themselves. The role of the judge was played by New Hollywood star Martin Sheen.
Tobias Hering, Tilman Schumacher

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Emile de Antonio
Script
Emile de Antonio
Cinematographer
Julian Abbio, Judy Irola
Editor
Mark Pines
Producer
Emile de Antonio, Vincent Hanlon
Sound
Jack Malkan
Score
Sidney Carter, Jackson Browne