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Chattanoogan.com: So Help Me God
Chattanoogan
·
Oct 16, 2026
Storyteller and actor Kelsey Grammer visited Chattanooga's National Medal of Honor Heritage Center this week with histori...
Director's Statement
To Elevate the Good, in a nation divided.
After forty years in front of the camera, I'm now directing my first feature film, “So Help Me God.” Let me tell you why I chose this compelling story to make my debut.
It's about a young man named Albert Townsend, a teenager from Flushing, New York, who in 1861 went off to fight in the Civil War. His heroics and bravery were pivotal to the war’s end, and as such, Albert was nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest award this country gives for courage. Unfortunately, he never received it.
Albert died in 1894 — and his wife, Leanna, sadly died three days later of inconsolable grief.
Generations later, his great great grandson went looking, found the injustice, and refused to let it disappear. After hearing about his story, I just couldn’t pass it by. We've turned it into a major, epic motion picture - with real soldiers, real cannons and one hundred horses. We believe this is going to be the biggest Civil War film in 30 years.
An epic, by a producer of epics.
And I’m not doing it alone: the lead producer with me is Mark Huffam — the man behind The Martian, Game of Thrones, Napoleon and Saving Private Ryan. His films have grossed more than four billion dollars worldwide.
A story we need right now.
Back then the country was angry and divided. Sound familiar? This groundbreaking film not only honors Albert and the “Bad Boys of Flushing,” but also delivers a powerful reminder of unity in times of national divide—echoing the timeless words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
And, there's something even bigger going on here — bigger than the movie itself. We're all part of the push to have the White House award Albert Townsend the Medal of Honor he so rightly deserves. You can be part of that effort — and share in the potential success of this task: serving memory, honoring courage, and sharing a fuller history of how the Union triumphed.
Join us and help bring him home.
— Kelsey Grammer
Why Invest
Led by filmmakers with billions in box office.
World-famous as the character Dr. Frasier Crane on NBC sitcom “Cheers” (1984-1993) and its spin-off “Frasier” (1993-2004, 2023-24), Kelsey Grammer trained at Julliard and the Old Globe and has won six Emmys, three Golden Globes, two Satellite Awards, two People’s Choice Awards, a Screen Actor’s Guild Award and a Tony. He’s played the blue beast Dr. Hank McCoy in two X-Men movies, starred in the original off-Broadway production of “Sunday in the Park with George,” and played Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha” at the London Coliseum, among many other major leading roles.
In 2023 The Telegraph named Grammer one of the “finest actors” of his generation. “So Help Me God” is his feature directorial debut — the story he has chosen to tell, and one he champions personally.
Oscar-nominated Mark Huffam has produced some of the most ambitious and successful films and TV series of the last 25 years, including The Martian, Game of Thrones, Saving Private Ryan, The Northman, Napoleon, and World War Z — films that have earned billions of dollars worldwide. His credits extend through numerous high-concept, high-profile, and fan-favorite productions: Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, The Lost City of Z, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Your Highness, Mama Mia!, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Quills, and the upcoming The Death of Robin Hood.
A trusted collaborator of director Ridley Scott, Huffam is known for guiding large-scale productions with precision, vision, and a deep respect for storytelling. A native of Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, he was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2011 for services to the film and television industries.
Civil War historian and author Brad Quinlin has spent more than three decades restoring the stories of soldiers history left behind, and has written or co-written two dozen books. In 2024, his research helped win posthumous Medals of Honor for Andrews’ Raiders Philip Shadrach and George Wilson, 162 years after the Great Locomotive Chase.
He has worked on more than 30 films and TV shows, including Glory and Gettysburg. On SO HELP ME GOD, he leads the historical research behind Albert Townsend’s story and the petition for awarding him the Medal of Honor.
The credits and results of the team members are provided for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and the commercial success of prior productions does not guarantee the financial performance of the Picture or any return to Investors.
The Movie
Albert Townsend, an unassuming teenager from New York, is transformed by an 1861 oration by Frederick Douglass in a Rochester church — where he also meets Charles Veale, a Black volunteer for the Colored units. They become close friends.
Albert is inspired to join the local 2nd New York Artillery, Battery L, “The Bad Boys of Flushing,” under the command of Capt. Jacob Roemer, a “blowhard” German immigrant who’d become, by war’s end, one of its most respected leaders.
Through grueling training they learn to control their field guns — with one false move, as lethal to them as to the enemy. As the “Bad Boys of Flushing” barrage through some of the most horrific battles of the Civil War, Albert rises to become an exemplary soldier, principled, loyal, and with extraordinary focus under pressure.
The vicious combat rises to a crescendo as both Albert Townsend, at Pegram’s Farm near Petersburg, and Charles Veale — just nearby, at Chaffin’s Farm near Richmond — find themselves in desperate situations: both acting with the kind of valor that comes from the strength of true friendship.
The kind of valor that shouldn’t be forgotten.
The Petition
Our Petition to The White House.
Albert Townsend was nominated for the Medal of Honor. He never received it.
This film is part of the effort to have the White House award him that honor posthumously. His descendants have carried the story this far. Your support can bring it to the nation’s attention.
Every investor will have their signature on this petition.
If you would like to sign the petition without investing, click here
Investment terms
Investment Terms
SO HELP ME GOD is being made into a feature film, and $1 million of its budget is reserved for fans. Invest as little as $100 and your money goes towards bringing the film to life: screenplay, casting, filming, post-production and release. If and when the film earns, investors are paid from its revenue alongside the film's other investors.
If and when the film starts generating revenue, investors are entitled to be paid back 120% of their investment, once the film has covered its customary distribution costs, union and administrative fees, and any debt used to finance it. After that, the film's profits are split 50/50 between investors and the producers, pro rata to what you invested.
For full terms, please see the investment agreement.
Perks
Investor Perks
Perks are cumulative. Investors receive perks and bonuses at their investment level, plus all perks at lower levels.
Perk terms
Perks are a thank-you to investors. They have no cash value, cannot be transferred or exchanged, and are not part of the securities offered. Limited-quantity perks are allocated in the order investments are confirmed, while available. Limited-time bonuses are awarded as described above. Perks tied to the film (e.g. digital access, soundtrack, credits, wrap party, premiere screening, on-set experiences, script pages and props) depend on the film being produced, completed and, where relevant, released or premiered. If any of these does not happen, the related perks will not be delivered. Delivery timing follows the production schedule and may change. Experiences with Kelsey Grammer, the producers or cast (Zoom calls, dinners, Q&As) depend on their schedules and availability. The Issuer sets the date, format, length and location. Travel, lodging and all other costs of attending in-person events are the investor's responsibility. On-set experiences require a signed waiver, are subject to age limits and production safety rules, and may be rescheduled or limited by the production. The Issuer decides the wording, size and placement of all credits. IMDb listings are subject to IMDb's own policies. Associate Producer and Executive Producer credits are honorary only and give no ownership, control or role in the production. Physical items ship to U.S. addresses. International shipping may cost extra or may not be offered. Investors are responsible for any taxes on perks they receive. If a perk becomes unavailable, the Issuer may replace it with another perk at their discretion.
Afterword
“This is a story about ordinary people standing together doing extraordinary things. So, it should be co-owned by ordinary, patriotic people, as well. Join us in bringing to life this astonishing, epic story of friendship, love, courage, and honor — a story truly made to be told for our time, now.
So, here's my invitation. You can actually invest in this film. If you want to be a part of this story, put in what you're comfortable with, and then, you’ve become a real part-owner and investor in the production. If this film does what we believe it can, you’ll share in that success alongside us.”
Sincerely,
Kelsey Grammer
