Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip
| Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ken Burns |
| Written by | Dayton Duncan |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip is a 2003 documentary film directed by Ken Burns and written by Dayton Duncan. Its subject is the first cross-country automobile journey in the United States, which occurred during the summer of 1903. The documentary focuses primarily on Horatio Nelson Jackson and his Winton car, The Vermont; along with his companions Sewall K. Crocker, his pet bulldog Bud and frequent correspondence with Jackson's wife Bertha Richardson Wells (called "Swipes" by Jackson). The journey became a race among three teams, the winners being Jackson and Crocker.
The documentary has a companion book and audiobook, Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip, authored by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns, published by Knopf in 2003.
Actors and historians
Several noted actors read the lines of various historical figures. They include:
- Keith David - Narrator
- Tom Hanks - Horatio Nelson Jackson
Archival footage of Horatio Nelson Jackson is included.
A series of American university professors of history provided background information.
Music
The soundtrack includes a variety of music, including some bluegrass instrumentals and a modern rendition by Bobby Horton of an old song called "He'd Have to Get Under – Get Out and Get Under (to Fix Up His Automobile)".