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).

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips were both living in TJ Hall’s North Tower when they met in August 1986 while…

Earthquake stops baseball, starts inspections

Earthquake stops baseball, starts inspections

Kamila Crane, who earned a bachelor’s degree (1985) and master’s degree (1986) in civil engineering, was prepared to start rebuilding…

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Student athletes Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess met in August 2002 outside the campus’s Rayle Cafeteria. “I thought to myself,…

Year after year, the ‘Best Ever’

Year after year, the ‘Best Ever’

Since George Menefee first donned a bishop’s hat and robe and rode a rail handcar into Rolla on March 17,…

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera met in February 2007 after a mutual friend arranged for a double date at Alex’s…

Andrea (Clements) and Zachary Weber

Andrea (Clements) and Zachary Weber

Andrea (Clements) Weber, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, met her husband, Zachary, when one of her sorority sisters…