Alone yet Not Alone

{{short description|2013 film by Ray Bengston and George D. Escobar}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}} {{Infobox film | name = Alone yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom | image = Alone Yet Not Alone.jpg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Ray Bengston George D. Escobar | producer = Barbara Divisek George D. Escobar Cynthia Garcia Walker Michael Snyder | screenplay = James Richards George D. Escobar | based_on = {{based on|''Alone Yet Not Alone: The Story of Barbara and Regina Leininger''|Tracy Michele Leininger Craven}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Craven |first=Tracy Leininger Michele |title=Alone Yet Not Alone: The Story of Barbara and Regina Leininger |publisher=His Seasons |year=2001 |isbn=978-1-929241-36-1 |location=San Antonio, Texas |others=Illustrated by Charles Ingram|oclc=53973537}}</ref> | starring = Kelly Greyson Natalie Racoosin Jenn Gotzon Clay Walker | music = William Ross Bruce Broughton | cinematography = James Suttles | editing = M. Scott Smith | studio = AYNA | distributor = Enthuse Entertainment | released = {{Film date|2013|09|27}} | runtime = 103 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = $7 million | gross = $887,851 }} '''''Alone yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom''''' (retitled '''''Massacre at Buffalo Valley''''' for some television showings<ref>{{Cite web |title=Massacre at Buffalo Valley (2013) |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-yjbft7/massacre-at-buffalo-valley/ |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=Radio Times}}</ref>) is a 2013 American Christian<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Jonathan D. |last2=Sessions |first2=David |date=January 31, 2014 |title='Alone Yet Not Alone': Inside the Conservative Christian Movie the Oscars Ousted |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/alone-yet-not-alone-inside-the-conservative-christian-movie-the-oscars-ousted |access-date=September 27, 2014 |website=The Daily Beast}}</ref> captivity narrative<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walber |first=Daniel |date=January 16, 2014 |title=Oscar-Nominated Film Is Endorsed by Anti-Gay Hate Groups |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/n26288/alone-yet-not-alone-the-evangelical-christian-film-nominated-for-an-oscar |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127235304/https://www.mtv.com/news/n26288/alone-yet-not-alone-the-evangelical-christian-film-nominated-for-an-oscar |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=MTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Dan |date=January 16, 2014 |title=What's The Anti-Gay Connection To WTF Best Song Oscar Nominee "Alone Yet Not Alone"? |url=https://www.logotv.com/news/z8550y/whats-the-anti-gay-connection-to-wtf-best-song-oscar-nominee-alone-yet-not-alone |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127015653/https://www.logotv.com/news/z8550y/whats-the-anti-gay-connection-to-wtf-best-song-oscar-nominee-alone-yet-not-alone |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=November 27, 2022 |website=Logo TV}}</ref> historical drama film directed by Ray Bengston, co-directed by George D. Escobar, and starring Kelly Greyson, Jenn Gotzon, and Clay Walker. Adapted from Tracy Leininger Craven's namesake novel, the film gets its title from the German hymn "Allein, und doch nicht ganz allein."<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2010 |title=The Power of a Hymn |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2010/september/power-of-hymn.html |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Christianity Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Panosian |first=Diane |date=January 29, 2014 |title=Awards Spotlight: Composer Bruce Broughton on How Original Song "Alone Yet Not Alone" Landed an Oscar Nomination |url=https://www.ssninsider.com/awards-spotlight-composer-bruce-broughton-on-how-original-song-alone-yet-not-alone-landed-an-oscar-nomination/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425042301/https://www.ssninsider.com/awards-spotlight-composer-bruce-broughton-on-how-original-song-alone-yet-not-alone-landed-an-oscar-nomination/ |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=SSN Insider}}</ref> It dramatizes the accounts of three preteen girls, Barbara and Regina Leininger and Marie LeRoy, who the Delaware took captive in the Penn's Creek massacre.

James R. Leininger, the father of the original novel's author and descendant of the portrayed Leiningers, partially funded ''Alone yet Not Alone''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bond |first=Paul |date=April 7, 2014 |title=Controversial 'Alone Yet Not Alone' to Be Released in 200 Theaters |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/controversial-alone-not-alone-be-694319/ |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The film's title song, "Alone yet Not Alone," was nominated for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards. However, the academy rescinded the nomination two weeks later due to alleged tampering from co-composer Bruce Broughton.<ref name="EntWeekly">{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=January 29, 2014 |title=Oscars kill nomination for best song contender 'Alone Yet Not Alone' |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/01/29/oscars-kill-original-song-nomination-for-alone-yet-not-alone-breaking/ |access-date=August 21, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

== Plot == In the mid-18th century, the Leininger family immigrated from Germany to Penns Creek, Pennsylvania, where they farmed alongside the LeRoy and Hecklinger families. Nearby, General Braddock dismisses six Indian chiefs as prospective allies against George Washington's advice, leading them to support the French instead.

One day in 1755, the Indian brothers Galasko and Hannawoa, sons of a Delaware chief, assault and burn down the Leininger farm when Mrs. Leininger and John are out milling, killing Mr. Leininger and Christian. They capture Barbara and Regina after the girls attempt to hide in a cave and place them with several captured children, including their friend Marie LeRoy. Several days later, Galasko dubs Barbara "Susquehanna" before the Indians depart, dividing up the captives and separating Regina from Barbara and Marie. Barbara steals a horse and attempts to escape, but gets recaptured after a branch knocks her unconscious. When the Indians move to burn her alive for attempting escape, Galasko convinces them to spare Barbara after she promises never to flee again. They travel to the French Fort du Quesne and later to the Kittanning village.

After Benjamin Franklin and the captives' families, including Mrs. Leininger, protest the massacre, Governor Morris and the Pennsylvania legislature fund a militia that they send to assault Kittanning. The Indians promptly take Barbara, Marie, and other captives into the forest and decide to execute by fire Lydia Barrett, a captive who had attempted to escape during the battle, during which she hid two boys and let the militia rescue them. Not wanting Barrett to suffer further, a French soldier shoots her reluctantly after a scuffle with the Indians. The Indians arrive with their captives a month later at the Moschkingo village and assimilate them into their tribe. Barbara befriends Hylea, an Indian girl, while Marie gets sent to an elderly, abusive woman.

Several years later, Barbara, now a teenager, learns Marie intends to escape with two other captives, Owen Gibson and David Breckenridge, but initially dismisses their plan as unworkable. However, when Galasko proposes marriage and gives her Mrs. Leininger's brooch, which he took during the raid, Barbara contemplates her past and agrees to Marie's plans. They abscond at night when the Indians are away before her wedding. Hannwoa discovers their absence and begins pursuing them; meanwhile, Owen shoots and attempts to charge a bear, which slashes and wounds his leg before David scares it away. After the fugitives cross a river with difficulty, Hannwoa finds Galasko returning and informs him of Barbara's escape. Galasko attempts to join his pursuit, but Hannowa, convinced that he wants to protect Barbara from punishment again and steal his credit, murders him in a rage.

When the fugitives arrive at Fort Pitt, which Colonel Mercer garrisons, the British soldiers are unconvinced of their plight until Barbara convinces them by speaking German. When they attempt to receive them, Hannwoa appears and attacks them, inflicting several casualties before Barbara kills him with a wounded soldier's pistol. After a month at Fort Pitt, the four travel to Philadelphia and reunite with Mrs. Leininger, John, and Fritz Hecklinger. Barbara returns her mother's brooch to her, who informs her that Regina remains missing. Owen and David enlist in the Pennsylvania militia; Marie promises to wait for Owen while Barbara marries Fritz.

Several years later, Barbara and Fritz have had two children when Henry Muhlenberg informs the family on Christmas Eve that Colonel Armstrong has defeated the Indians in Ohio and recovered all war prisoners. They rush to Carlisle Fort and meet Owen, who tells them that David died in the Battle of Bushy Run. Barbara informs him that Marie remains unmarried, and Owen and Marie embrace. Unable to recognize Regina among the liberated children, Mrs. Leininger sings "Alone yet Not Alone" to them after consulting Colonel Armstrong, rekindling Regina's memories, and she runs into her family's embrace.

Regina never married and lived with her mother until they died, buried together in Stouchsburg, and the town placed a monument honoring her in their gravesite. Barbara continued her life as a farmer in Berks County, eventually had a third child, and named her daughter after her sister. In 1805, she died and lies interred in Cumru Township.

==Cast== {{div col begin}} * Kelly Greyson as Barbara Leininger/Susquehanna **Natalie Racoosin as Young Barbara * Victoria Emmons as Marie LeRoy ** Kelly Devens as young Marie * Hayley Lovitt as Regina Leininger/Tskinnak **Cassie Brennan as Young Regina * Robert Pierce as Papa Leininger * Joanie Stewart as Mama Leininger * Joseph Gray as John Leininger * James Hartner as Christian Leininger * Jenn Gotzon as Lydia Barrett * Clay Walker as Fritz Hecklinger{{refn|group=n|Hecklinger is a fictionalized version of Barbara Leininger's real-life husband, Peter Ruffner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biedinger |first=Bruce |date=2013 |title=Study / Discussion Guide |url=http://aloneyetnotalone.com/downloads_file.php?id=AYNA_SchoolGuide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618024833/http://aloneyetnotalone.com/downloads_file.php?id=AYNA_SchoolGuide.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2019 |access-date=February 7, 2026 |website=Alone Yet Not Alone|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite document |date=February 1, 1761 |title=Records of Trinity Lutheran Church |type=Church Record |publisher=Trinity Lutheran Church|place=New Holland, Pennsylvania|pages=34}}</ref>}} ** Justin Tully as young Fritz * Brett Harris as Owen ** Ian Nelson as young Owen * John Telfer as David ** Joshua Hunter Magers as young David * Ozzie Torres as Galasko * Tony Wade as Hannawoa * Ron Pinson Jr. as Chief Selinquaw * Carl LeMon as Henry Muhlenberg * Josh Murray as George Washington * Barry K. Bedwell as Benjamin Franklin * James McKeny as Edward Braddock * Joel King as Robert Hunter Morris * Douglas W. Phillips as Hugh Mercer * Paul Ganus as John Armstrong Sr. * Thurman Bryan as Sergeant Mueller{{div col end}}

==Release== ''Alone yet Not Alone'' received a limited theatrical release in nine markets on September 27, 2013, and grossed $125,775 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=125775|start_year=2013}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in its opening weekend. By the end of its three-week run on October 11, it had grossed $133,546 at the domestic box office, with a per-screen average of $13,396. The film received a wide release on June 13, 2014, eventually grossing $887,851 against its budget of $7 million, making it a box-office bomb.

==Academy Awards controversy==  Bruce Broughton and Dennis Spiegel wrote, and Joni Eareckson Tada performed, ''Alone yet Not Alone''<nowiki/>'s namesake title song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bond |first=Paul |date=January 17, 2014 |title=Oscars: 'Alone Yet Not Alone' Singer Dismisses Critics of Surprise Nomination |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-alone-not-alone-singer-672005/ |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> "Alone yet Not Alone" received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards. However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences soon discovered Broughton, former governor and current executive committee member of the academy's music branch, improperly contacting other members of his branch. They thus rescinded their nomination on January 29, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Tim |date=January 29, 2014 |title=Oscar Nominee 'Devastated' by Disqualification; Tune Sung by Quadriplegic Singer |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/oscar-rescinds-alone-song-nomination-1201076879/ |access-date=January 29, 2014 |website=Variety}}</ref> Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs claimed that using a position of authority within the academy to promote an Oscar submission "creates the appearance of an unfair advantage."<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2014 |title=Academy Rescinds Original Song Nomination For "Alone Yet Not Alone" |url=https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-rescinds-original-song-nomination-alone-yet-not-alone |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}</ref>

This incident was not the first time the academy rescinded a nomination. However, it was the first time the Academy cited ethical grounds for it and the first time it did so on a scripted American-produced feature film.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Zeitchik |first1=Steven |last2=Whipp |first2=Glenn |date=January 31, 2014 |title=Voices rising amid 'Alone Yet Not Alone's' removal from Oscar running |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscar-song-alone-not-yet-alone-reaction-20140131-story.html |access-date=January 31, 2014 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Broughton claimed an industry double standard, saying him sending out "70 or so emails" was comparable to Isaacs' involvement in ''The Artist'' and ''The King's Speech'' as an academy governor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ma |first=Roger |date=February 3, 2014 |title=Oscar disqualified composer Bruce Broughton hits back with open letter |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/oscar-disqualified-composer-bruce-broughton-hits-back-with-open-letter-20140203-31wcy.html |access-date=February 4, 2014 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

==Notes== {{reflist|group=n}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20210515193102/http://aloneyetnotalone.com/}} * {{IMDb title}} * {{Mojo title}} * {{Rotten-tomatoes}} * {{Metacritic film}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alone yet Not Alone}} Category:2013 films Category:2010s adventure drama films Category:2013 historical films Category:American adventure drama films Category:American captivity narratives Category:American historical adventure films Category:American films based on actual events Category:Films based on American novels Category:Films set in Pennsylvania Category:Films set in 1755 Category:Films shot in North Carolina Category:Films shot in Tennessee Category:Films shot in Virginia Category:Films scored by William Ross Category:Films scored by Bruce Broughton Category:American independent films Category:2013 independent films Category:2013 drama films Category:2013 English-language films Category:2013 American films Category:English-language independent films Category:English-language historical adventure films Category:English-language adventure drama films