George Keene, a longtime Newhall resident and World War II veteran, is featured in “Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission,” a new documentary/feature film hybrid about a pilot who leads a rescue mission during the Second World War.
Last month, “Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission” was released on Video on Demand, DVD, and Blu-ray in both the United States and Canada.
“WWII hero with the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron, Lt. Royal Stratton, leads a deadly mission to save the lives of nine downed airmen adrift in enemy waters of a war-torn South Pacific,” the official synopsis for the film reads. “Immersive cinematography and gripping action, combined with firsthand accounts and historical images, showcase the valor of this squadron who faced overwhelming odds to bring their brothers home.”
One of the veterans featured in the film is George Keene, a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor who has lived in Newhall since the 1960s.
“Much like the frontline workers today, the veterans in our story were the first responders of their era,” said producer Mariana Tosca in a statement when the film was released. “With no fanfare or applause, they put their lives on the line every day, under perilous circumstances, to save others. Becoming the custodians of their stories has been an honor, privilege, and responsibility we’ve done our best to fulfill.”
Keene joined the United States Navy in March of 1941, where he was initially assigned to the USS Hopkins in Pearl Harbor. He was there when Japan attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, where he was hit by flak in his left leg.
He would go on to serve in the South Pacific for most of World War II, and was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
“The Greatest Generation overcame the Depression and WWII with the same kind of mettle we need to meet the challenges facing our world today,” said writer-director Christopher Johnson. “Sometimes you have to look to the past for the tools and inspiration to overcome the hurdles of tomorrow. My sincerest hope is that people who see our film will feel empowered by those who paved the way so many decades ago.”
Officials say that the film is currently on the list of documentaries in consideration for the Academy Awards this year.
“Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission” is available on streaming and cable platforms worldwide, including: Amazon, iTunes, GooglePlay, FandangoNow, Vudu, Vimeo, and across hundreds of cable providers including Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Dish, and DirecTV. DVD and Blu-ray retailers include Amazon and all other major online retailers.
For more information, follow @JourneyToRoyal on Facebook and Instagram, or click here
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