3net - The 24/7 3D Network From Sony, Discovery and IMAX - To Debut 'FIELDS OF VALOR: THE CIVIL WAR,' World's First Native 3D Documentary Series, December 3

CULVER CITY, Calif., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 3net, the joint venture 24/7 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX – will debut FIELDS OF VALOR:  THE CIVIL WAR, the world's first native 3D war documentary, Saturday, December 3 (9PM ET/PT), it was announced today by Tom Cosgrove, President & CEO of 3net.  In addition, 3net, along with Discovery Communications' sister networks Velocity and Military Channel, will offer a 3D/2D simulcast of the premiere episode Sunday, December 4 (10PM ET/PT). 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110105/PH25319LOGO )

The epic, four-part 3net original miniseries – the most ambitious 3D project ever produced for television – will transport viewers back in time, retelling the war's most pivotal moments both on and off the battlefields from the unique perspective of both sides of the historic conflict.  The series utilizes carefully selected stereoscopic stills from the period – recently released by the Library of Congress – and shown for the first time ever to television audiences in their native 3D format. 

In addition, FIELDS OF VALOR:  THE CIVIL WAR features a cast of thousands for the penultimate battle scenes, unique "tableau form" style 3D recreations and 3D graphic effects to bring to vivid life the men of the 20th Massachusetts and the 1st Virginia as they leave their homes and loved ones, prepare for ensuing battle and plunge headlong into the history's most brutal domestic conflict.  Intimate accounts of the brave men on the front lines are told through paralleling stories from each side of the war, giving audiences a unique insight into the beliefs, struggles and passions of those involved from both the North and South. 

"Recent advancements in 3D production have allowed us to get much 'closer' to this period in our history and offer a uniquely personal and immersive telling of the conflict that simply wasn't possible before," said Cosgrove.  "By capturing the soldiers and battles of this historic war in native 3D, and showcasing perfectly preserved stereoscopic stills from the period, we've been able to bring a level of humanity and realism to the project unlike anything television audiences have experienced with previous Civil War documentaries.  As well, we're excited to broaden the audience for FIELDS OF VALOR:  THE CIVIL WAR with the 2D premiere on our sister networks Velocity and Military Channel."

FIELDS OF VALOR:  THE CIVIL WAR is produced by Towers Productions, LLC, with Jonathan Towers and 3net's Vice President of Production and Development Tim Pastore serving as Executive Producers.  David W. Padrusch serves as Director, with Patrick Brennan serving as historical consultant.

FIELDS OF VALOR:  THE CIVIL WAR – Premiere Schedule:

"Collision Course" – 3net 3D Premiere Saturday, December 3 (9PM ET/PT) & 3net/Velocity/Military Channel 3D/2D Simulcast Sunday, December 4 (10PM ET/PT):

As America plunges headlong into Civil War, Harvard graduate Henry Livermore Abbott, from a prominent Boston family, enlists in the 20th Massachusetts, determined to fight because his two brothers have already joined up. Around the same time, in Richmond, Virginia, a young pharmacist named Edward Payson Reeve, passionate about the Southern Cause, joins the 1st Virginia, a storied unit whose history goes back to the nation's founding. In July 1861, the Virginians play a key role in the first Bull Run campaign, helping to push the Yankees back toward Washington, DC. That fall, the so-called Harvard regiment sees action for the first time in the Battle of Ball's Bluff, another Union defeat, where a future US Supreme Court justice named Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. is injured.

"The Grind" – 3net 3D Premiere Saturday, December 10 (9PM ET/PT), preceded by a special encore presentation of "Collision Course" at 8PM ET/PT:

As the Civil War enters its second bloody year, the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia becomes the Holy Grail of the conflict. As the North marshals its troops to capture it, Harvard men Henry Livermore Abbott and Oliver Wendell Holmes form a tight bond of friendship. In the spring of 1862, during the Union ill-fated Peninsula campaign, Edward Payson Reeve of the 1st Virginia is wounded and taken prisoner. Also captured in the fighting is Paul Revere of the 20th Massachusetts, grandson of the legendary patriot, who witnesses the horrors of slavery while in rebel captivity and becomes an abolitionist. Another Southern gentleman, John Dooley, leaves Georgetown University and joins the 1^st Virginia in time to help the Confederates defeat the Yankees in the Second Battle of Manassas in late August.  

"Hell on the Horizon" – 3net 3D Premiere Saturday, December 17 (9 PM ET/PT), preceded by encore presentations of the first two episodes beginning at 7PM ET/PT:

In September 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee invades western Maryland, with Private John Dooley and the men of the 1st Virginia regiment leading the way. The campaign culminates along the Antietam Creek at the town of Sharpsburg, where both the Virginia men and the 20th Massachusetts, including a new recruit from Nantucket named Josiah Murphey, will both see action in the bloodiest single day of the entire Civil War. Once again, future Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. is wounded. President Lincoln uses the outcome of the battle to redefine the meaning of the war by announcing his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in rebel territory, a bold move that some Union soldiers, including Henry Livermore Abbott, find offensive.

"Judgment Days" – 3net 3D Premiere Saturday, December 17 (10 PM ET/PT):

In the spring of 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee once again takes the war north of the Potomac River, and invades Pennsylvania, determined to crush the enemy before the South's time runs out. John Dooley, Edward Payson Reeve and Howard Walthall are all part of the invasion force. In July, the 20th Massachusetts and 1st Virginia regiments both march to Gettysburg where, on the third day of the bloody battle, in the famous Pickett's Charge, the two regiments that have shadowed each other for two years will finally come face to face in the climactic battle of the Civil War. After fellow Harvard man Sumner Paine is killed, Henry Abbott and other members of the 20th Massachusetts go on the attack, preventing the rebels from advancing into the Union lines. Among the casualties in the so-called "Harvard regiment": Paul Revere, grandson of the legendary patriot. On the rebel side, both John Dooley and Edward Payson Reeve are injured.

About 3net

3net, the joint venture of Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation brings together three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies to provide the nation's first and only fully programmed, 24/7 3D network. The three partners deliver an extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology and production expertise, television distribution and operational strength to the project, with a mission to bring viewers the highest quality and most immersive in-home 3D viewing experience possible. The channel will feature the most extensive library of 3D content in the world by the end of 2011, featuring genres that are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, travel, history, kids and family, hyper-reality, lifestyle and cuisine, concerts, movies, scripted series and more. 3net is currently available on DIRECTV channel 107. For more information, please visit www.3net.com.

About Velocity

Velocity, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is the upscale men's cable network that provides high-octane programming for its viewers. Velocity Network programming is diverse, intelligent and engaging, with series geared toward events, with live auctions and world rally championships, real-life adrenaline-pumping shows, and historical and biographical programming. Formerly HD Theater, the fully HD network is available in approximately 40 million homes. For more information on Velocity, please visit www.DiscoveryCommunications.com.

About Military Channel

The Military Channel brings viewers compelling, real-world stories of heroism, military strategy, technological breakthroughs and turning points in history.  The network takes viewers "behind the lines" to hear the personal stories of servicemen and women and offers in-depth explorations of military technology, battlefield strategy, aviation and history.  As the only cable network devoted to military subjects, it also provides unique access to this world, allowing viewers to experience and understand a world full of human drama, courage, innovation and long-held military traditions. Visit online at http://military.discovery.com .

SOURCE 3net