Winner 1981

The Private History of a Campaign That Failed

Nebraska Educational Television Network, The Great Amwell Company

A Peabody Award is presented to the Nebraska Educational Network and to the Great Amwell Company for The Private History of a Campaign That Failed. Producer William Perry Marshall took an instance from Mark Twain’s brief stint in the Confederate militia at the beginning of the Civil War, and Philip Wiseman, Jr., created a dynamic script. To this a thoroughly professional cast was added. Special music was created by William Perry and performed by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony. The result was a gigantic undertaking crowned with great success. The gripping story ends with Mark Twain’s celebrated essay, The War Prayer, a poignant and timely statement which reminds us of the futility of all wars. Here is creative, educational television combining history, drama, patriotism and music into a fascinating and interest-compelling 90 minutes. A Peabody Award goes to the Nebraska Educational Television Network and the Great Amwell Company for The Private History of a Campaign That Failed.