Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport

Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport is a riveting 2017 documentary film that centers on a major public issue of the 1950s and 1960s - the proposal to build a massive, "jetport" or an international airport, in New Jersey's Great Swamp. This deeply engaging 72-minute film effectively blends the elements of environmental activism, grassroots organization, and civic education, showcasing a significant historical event that tremendously impacted both local and national environment policy.

Renowned actress Blythe Danner lends her voice as the narrator of this monumental story, capably guiding the viewers through the saga of the Great Swamp and its tireless defendants. The film opens with an introduction to the Great Swamp, a sprawling, 7,800 acres of wetlands nestled amidst heavily industrialized Northern New Jersey and merely 26 miles away from the bustling towers of New York City. Far from being a wasteland, the Great Swamp is depicted as a wondrous ecosystem teeming with a diversity of flora and fauna, and a vital refuge for migratory birds.

As the film unfolds, the audience is then taken back to the late 1950s, when the Port of New York Authority proposed to develop a massive jetport, 10 times the size of JFK airport, in this untouched natural space. The basis of the plan was the rapid growth of air traffic, and inability of the existing airports to handle the projected increase.

'Saving the Great Swamp' brilliantly recounts the two-year battle that ensued, starting from when a small group of residents in Chatham Township, got wind of the covert master plan. It presents an inspiring portrayal of this community's exceptional response to this extraordinary challenge. The scale of the crisis led to a powerful people’s movement which went beyond partisan politics and socio-economic borders. This culminated into one of the most significant environmental showdowns of the era.

The film showcases how this committed group of environmental crusaders, farmers, scientists, politicians, and everyday citizens, all driven in their resolution to preserve the Great Swamp, transformed into a well-structured organization, eventually forming the 'Great Swamp Committee'. The film emphasizes the momentous role of media, which played a central part in unfolding this narrative to the world, building public opinion, and creating formidable allies for the cause.

The fight to save the Great Swamp is recorded meticulously through a variety of sources in the documentary. Scenes are beautifully balanced with lush modern-day scenes of the swamp, archival news footage from the 1950s and 60s, vintage photos, maps and animations. Interviews with key participants and insightful comments from historians and environmentalists add depth to the narrative, making it an enriching historical journey.

An interesting facet of the film is its exploration of the societal attitude towards nature during this period. It shines a light on how the view of 'swamps' as wastelands waiting to be 'reclaimed' began to shift towards a more ecologically-informed perspective. Not only does the film recount the battle that saved the Great Swamp, but it also illustrates the growing environmental conscientiousness of a generation.

While the film is focused on a specific locale and a particular time frame, its significance is universally relevant. It emphasizes the struggle to balance progress with preservation, dealing with grand themes of community activism, environmental consciousness, conservation, and the power of grassroots movements. The ramifications of the Great Swamp battle stretch far beyond the borders of New Jersey, providing a cautionary tale of unchecked development, and the power of collective will to protect our natural heritage.

Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport is not a mere retelling of history, but a stirring reminder of the power of community mobilization and environmental activism. Blythe Danner’s empathetic storytelling combined with director Scott Morris’s brilliant craftsmanship, makes this film an emotional, engaging, informative, and ultimately uplifting cinematic experience. This gripping environmental epic is a tribute to the legacy of a community's valor that saved a natural gem, laying the blueprint for future environmental battles.

True to its name, the film ends on a triumphant note - the successful ‘saving’ of the Great Swamp. Yet, it also provides an enduring reminder that vigilance and active involvement of communities is key to preserving our natural habitats. For those interested in environmental conservation, community activism, or simply a well-told local story with global implications, Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport is a must-watch.