In Freedom’s Cause, Audio Theater, a TOS Review

Super Stoked to share another Heirloom Audio Productions G.A. Henty Audio Theater production with you! We were given the In Freedom’s Cause Single Package. Let me share what may sound familiar and see if you can guess the story:

Would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that,
for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies
that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!

Guesses? Did you picture William Wallace getting ready to go to battle as he encourages his small number of Scotts to battle against the tens of thousands of English? I watched this movie with hubby when I was younger and it is the only part I remember, besides his wife passing.

Contrast that to the last several weeks as we have listened to In Freedom’s Cause several times in the car. I have vivid pictures in my mind of people boldly fighting with courage to reclaim their lands. Fighting for God and Country.

I think this story makes more sense now that we’ve studied the middle ages of Europe. As homeschoolers we get the advantage of really digging into history and making it personal. Less dates/wars/leaders to memorize, and more of a theme of human nature and how they respond to God or their Leaders. We read about the expansion of folks, land take overs to the north and west, take overs of folks traveling east, countries being formed. Native peoples fighting back to reclaim their lands. If you haven’t studied how a big blob of land got divided into 100 smaller countries, was claimed by Rome and by England entirely at one time or another, and then split again – it really is a lot more fascinating that the term Dark Ages or Middle Ages suggests.

And that’s where our story today is. England has conquered Scotland and it’s people. They live in service to the King, but they have never pledged allegiance to the King. They are educated in the Latin and in the Bible. They love God and have a fierce sense of loyalty to their own blood lines and to their soil. Many have died trying to go up against the powerful armies that money can put together with a vast resource of men and powerful equipment. Many of the next generation have the fight and passion in them, but lack the leadership to push them forward.

This is where we meet our young heroes that train against their uncles wishes and their mother’s tired hearts and meet up with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Not to give you a spoiler alert – but this is the story of how Scotland gained their freedom.

As we listened to the story, we – our entire family – husband and teen sons – I was taken in, again, by the brute honesty of G.A.Henty. He is such a writer to boys. Weapons. Passion. Courage. Fears. Death. Love. Parents. Family. Country. And he wrote to an entirely different generation. It is more raw. Lacking is the Politically Correct over sensitive ways to describe a fight scene, or love scene. (Still suitable for younger listening ears, just honest representation.) Honest is the portrayal of how passionate their ideals were that came from the Bible. How the Scriptures gave them comfort. This led to the culmination of the final scenes when the 23rd Psalm was read from the Latin Vulgate. Beautiful and stirring. Sigh.

I am so thankful that Heirloom Audio Productions has assembled such a professional cast to create these Theatrical Audio Productions for my boys!!!

I was able to write up the “What we Reviewed” clip for the Crew page – this is what I shared:

Heirloom Audio Productions has a passion for bringing real history to life. They produce active listening audio adventures. This is a new genre in audio listening. Plot rich with powerful sound effects designed to keep the listener captivated. The full audio theatrical presentation captures the imagination of children.

Our crew received the In Freedom’s Cause Single Package – a new Audio Adventure based on the book In Freedom’s Cause written by George Alfred Henty (G.A.Henty 1832-1902). Listeners will travel through time with young Archie Forbes as he becomes involved with Scotland’s most influential freedom fighters William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

In Freedom’s Cause a beautiful 2 CD set with an insert filled with ideas and a copy of the prayer by William Wallace. A theatrical performance by Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abby as Anna), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings, Master and Commander), Skandar Keynes, (Chronicles of Narnia), Cathy Sara (Woman in Black, Topsy-Turvy), and James Cosmo (Highlander and Braveheart). Your child will join with the faith and vision of William Wallace to join with farmers, shepherds and merchants to defeat a mighty army. You’ll learn about the faith of William Wallace, his courage and strength of character. Walk along side them as they forever change the history of Scotland. King Robert the Bruce was inspired to eventually gain Scotland’s freedom. Learn the real history of the faith Wallace had in God. Included in the CD is Psalms 23. Wallace, at his execution, read these words as King Edward’s men tortured him. Let your children learn that freedom is worth fighting for.

Two hours of Non Stop Adventure for ages 6-Adult “Building the next generation by brining the lessons of history to life” through Listening captivating the imagination. Time Travel into fun and exciting adventures. Teach strong moral values like courage, conviction an Character. 48 page Study Guide included to help parents engage with their children.

In Freedom’s Cause Study Guide (Digital Download) – 30 pages of discussion points encouraging you you to Listen Well, Think Further and Define Words. This will guide you through the history and tie the story to related Bible study. This eStudy Guide is designed to give educators a complete story curriculum.

In Freedom’s Cause Soundtrack (MP3 download) contains all the original music by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell. You may be familiar with John’s original core for C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. This music is moving and draws in the listener. You may enjoy this downloaded MP3 Audio-Theater Soundtrack on your devices!

Printable copy of The Prayer Of William Wallace is a version of Psalm 23 in the Latin Vulgate. This printable copy is a one page beautiful printable letter size poster ready to frame for your family’s inspiration. Heirloom Audio Products shares that, “When read in the studio by the man playing William Wallace, the other actors were genuinely taken aback by the character and depth of this mighty and ancient prayer.”

A note about the Study Guide – When the boys were younger, we listened to a lot of books on tape and had read alouds at home. I wanted it to feel ‘schoolish’ instead of just relaxing. But I didn’t know how to bring it to the next level. I wish we would have had these study guides back then. These are short blubs of Listening Well, Thinking Further, and Defining Words. Your kids could use this printed out (We used the PDF Reader on the Laptop) and answer the questions. If you have your kids listen to the audio production as part of their homeschool day a part from you, you could use these questions to help them pay attention and be accountable for their listening time. The words used in the G.A. Henty book are from a different era so many may not be understood to a young reader/listener. We reviewed many of the words. In context, with the story, an older listener is able to give a correct definition. Another reason why I love audio books and reading books or vocabulary study. The Study Guide will give you a better feeling of this being a Curriculum Choice for your Homeschool. It also helps me, as the mom/teacher/guide to know what types of questions to ask. I read through the guide and had the questions on the ready to help them think about what the read.

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