John Santillo, a World War II D-Day survivor, travels back overseas for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day to relive his time at war. Through a story that moves between the past and present, John opens up about the time he spent overseas using his unique blend of charisma, optimism and humor that captivates everyone he meets along his journey. This film follows two narratives: John’s life as a soldier during the 1940s and John’s 2019 D-Day anniversary trip to France. Through the interweaving of these two stories, the film contrasts John’s time as a young man drafted into the military with his view on the war now as a ninety-seven year old veteran. As he faces haunting and emotional memories and locations from his past, John comes to grips with how deeply the war affected him.
Director – Lawrence Schwartz
Lawrence Schwartz is a retired television producer (NBC News), print journalist (New York Post), and educator (Rutgers University, New York City public schools). He is passionately committed to perpetuating the legacy of our World War II veterans. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for World War II Studies at Brookdale College in New Jersey, and is a Charter Member of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
