Hillsdale College will release “Revolutionary America” in theaters on May 31 for a three-day run in collaboration with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment.

The documentary, Hillsdale’s first theatrical release, covers the period from the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 through the ratification of the Constitution in 1789. It features interviews with Hillsdale history and politics professors, along with College President Larry Arnn, political commentator Michael Knowles, and author Eric Metaxas.

“The question driving the film has been: ‘What kind of people would put everything on the line against the most powerful nation in the world?’ On paper, it was suicide,” said Ian Reid, the film’s director. “So, why would they do it? Directing this film has been about chasing that question.”

Actor Tom Selleck, known for his starring roles in television shows such as “Blue Bloods” and “Magnum, P.I.,” narrates the film. 

“Tom Selleck is a tremendous talent with an amazing voice,” Regan said. “It was a privilege to work with him, and his narration is great.”

The documentary focuses on key events, battles, and stories of the American Revolution, Regan said. 

“Revolutionary America” will play in 729 theaters but may come to more theaters if ticket sales are high, Regan said. The nearest showings will be in Jackson, Battle Creek, and Lansing, Michigan.

Reid said compiling the interviews was a demanding creative challenge for him.

“We ended up with around 40 hours of interviews alone,” Reid said. “The real challenge is taking all that material and distilling it into a clear, compelling narrative that works in about 90 minutes.”

A team of collaborators from Hillsdale and production company Distant Moon worked for months to compile interviews, edit the material, design sound, and add visual effects, according to Reid. The film took a year and a half to complete.

Associate Professor of Politics John Grant, who was interviewed for the film, said the interview process taught him how to articulate concepts for a documentary format. 

“My favorite part of working on this project was thinking about how to present the material for a documentary film,” Grant said. “Considering the audience and format provoked me to think in new ways about the content.”

The documentary also features Professor of Politics Thomas West, who spoke about the Founders’ theories on natural rights and equality.

“I was glad to share, as best I could, what I have learned about the Founders’ political theory over the years,” West said. “I look forward to seeing what I hope will be an exemplary college project.”

Regan said the documentary emphasizes the continuing responsibility of citizens to understand American history in order to preserve Founding principles.

“In the telling of ‘Revolutionary America,’ the conclusion of the revolution really came with the ratification of the Constitution,” Regan said. “But as Dr. Arnn says, the revolution continues because it falls to every American citizen to preserve our way of life and the principles of liberty that the Founders established.”

Tickets are available at hillsdale.edu/film.