The North Star

The North Star is the story of BENJAMIN "BIG BEN" JONES (Jeremiah Trotter) and MOSES HOPKINS (Thomas C. Bartley Jr.), two slaves who escaped from a Virginia plantation and made their way to freedom in Buckingham, Pennsylvania in 1849. Big Ben's 6 foot 10 inch height and a record bounty for his safe return make him the focus of every slave hunter on the east coast. Their journey exposes them to danger and cruelty; however it also exposes them to the unexpected kindness of the people involved in the Underground Railroad. These experiences will change Ben and Moses forever. Upon reaching the relative safety of Mt. Gilead Church on Buckingham Mountain, Ben and Moses get to experience life as free men and cross paths with historical figures such as Frederick Douglass. Their freedom also allows them to experience heroism, romance and treachery. This epic tale is beautifully filmed on location in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where the actual historical events took place. THOMAS K. PHILLIPS (Writer & Director) and KEIKO NAKAHARA (Director of Photography) brilliantly capture the lush landscapes as a backdrop for the inspiring story of people crossing racial lines for the cause of freedom.