PRAIRIE TRILOGY 1978-1980

Rent or Dowload PRAIRIE TRILOGY (1978-1980)

“Moving and still pertinent depictions of the human realities that animate labor struggles.” – Glenn Kenny, New York Times

Prairie Fire (1978)

The first film in The Prairie Trilogy revisits the founding of the Nonpartisan League in 1916, a socialist organization that united farmers in North Dakota to combat economic exploitation by predatory capitalists and politicians. Told through the powerful narration of Henry Martinson, a 97-year-old poet, organizer, and lifelong Socialist, the film incorporates historical photographs and footage shot by Nilsson’s grandfather, Frithjof Holmboe. Prairie Fire vividly portrays the early radical prairie movement and its enduring relevance in the fight for economic justice.

Rebel Earth (1979)

In this reflective second chapter, Henry Martinson journeys with a younger North Dakota farmer to retrace the landscapes and memories of his past. As they visit sites tied to Martinson’s life, including his Divide County homestead, the film captures the intergenerational impact of labor struggles and rural life. Through its intimate portrayal of Martinson’s connections to the land and people, Rebel Earth offers a moving meditation on history, solidarity, and the enduring fight for equality.

Survivor (1980)

The final installment of The Prairie Trilogy focuses on Henry Martinson in the last year of his life, showcasing his humor, sharp intellect, and unwavering revolutionary spirit. A lifelong labor organizer and Poet Laureate of North Dakota, Martinson shares his personal stories, reads his poetry, and reflects on the struggles and triumphs of his generation. Completed shortly before his death, Survivor is a poignant celebration of Martinson’s legacy and a call to action for future generations to build a more equitable world.

Directed by 

John Hanson 

Rob Nilsson

Cast  

Eugene Corr Eugene Corr ... Speaker (voice) (as Gene Corr)

Dan Leegant Dan Leegant ... Speaker (voice)

Henry Martinson Henry Martinson ... Narrator

Music by 

David Ozzie Ahlers 

Cinematography by 

Frithjof Holmboe ... (archival cinematography)

Production Management 

Marlena Weinstein ... production manager

Sound Department 

Jennifer Chinlund ... sound editor

Joan Musante ... effects recording

Camera and Electrical Department 

Judy Irola ... addition photography

Music Department 

David Ozzie Ahlers ... pump organ (as Ozzie Ahlers)

Jim Rothermel ... woodwinds

Tim Rued ... key fiddle

David Schickele ... viola