Tom Benton’s ‘Missouri,’ from mural to movie

It was “over a few root beer floats” one night that James Bogan and Frank Fillo decided to make a documentary of Thomas Hart Benton’s “A Social History of the State of Missouri,” the mural housed in the Missouri State Capitol.

Bogan, a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of art at Missouri S&T, and Fillo, a video producer for the University of Missouri System at the time, created a 30-minute film that captured the story of the painting — and of Missouri, from Benton’s perspective. Created in 1991, the film won seven awards. It was re-mastered in high-definition format in 2012 and is available for download along with course curriculum for use in classrooms across Missouri and elsewhere.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung

Rachel (Kluesner) and Steven Jung met in 2006 while working together and going to S&T. “I was in the BioSci…

Courtney (Greene) and Jeff Willey

Courtney (Greene) and Jeff Willey

Courtney (Greene) and Jeff Willey met in August 2005 after he returned to Rolla to pursue his graduate degree while…

Mary (Hilton) and Mike McEvilly

Mary (Hilton) and Mike McEvilly

Mary (Hilton) and Mike McEvilly met in August 1978 at a Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity party. As students, the two…

The sun’s on their side

The sun’s on their side

In 1999, the Missouri S&T Solar Car Team took first place in Sunrayce, now known as the American Solar Challenge….

Four months away from Earth

Four months away from Earth

Sandra “Sandy” Magnus has been part of three space flights and spent more than four months in space during her…

Major league research

Major league research

Three S&T faculty helped strike down claims that “juiced” baseballs were the cause of a spike in Major League home…