The Ghost Army
Filmmaker Rick Beyer filming on location in Luxembourg for The Ghost Army
The extraordinary story of one of the most unusual American military units of World War II. Its mission: to put on a "travelling road show" that would deceive German Intelligence in a series of battles across Europe. From Normandy to the Rhine, the men of the 23rd used inflatable rubber tanks, sound trucks, phony radio transmissions and even playacting to fool the enemy about the strength and location of American units across the battlefields of Europe. They staged more than 20 deceptions and are credited with saving thousands of lives.
And that is only part of the story. The Army recruited artists to create the illusions required to deceive the enemy. By luck and design, it managed to gather together a remarkable collection of talent. Bill Blass became a fashion giant. Ellsworth Kelley earned fame as a minimalist painter and sculptor. Arthur Singer became one of America's foremost bird artists And there were many others who achieved artistic prominence. In their spare time, this "band of artistic brothers" literally sketched and painted their way through Europe. More than 60 years later, their artworks, and the stories behind them, offer a unique and highly personal perspective of their trek across a war-torn continent.
The Ghost Army follows the remarkable wartime saga of thse men. It is a tale of art, deception, and showmanship. It is an independent film (funded by donations and grants) and is currently in production.
Artists of Deception is a new book by Rick Beyer and Liz Sayles that is a companion piece to the upcoming film.
And that is only part of the story. The Army recruited artists to create the illusions required to deceive the enemy. By luck and design, it managed to gather together a remarkable collection of talent. Bill Blass became a fashion giant. Ellsworth Kelley earned fame as a minimalist painter and sculptor. Arthur Singer became one of America's foremost bird artists And there were many others who achieved artistic prominence. In their spare time, this "band of artistic brothers" literally sketched and painted their way through Europe. More than 60 years later, their artworks, and the stories behind them, offer a unique and highly personal perspective of their trek across a war-torn continent.
The Ghost Army follows the remarkable wartime saga of thse men. It is a tale of art, deception, and showmanship. It is an independent film (funded by donations and grants) and is currently in production.
Artists of Deception is a new book by Rick Beyer and Liz Sayles that is a companion piece to the upcoming film.
