Film About Basking Ridge's Oak Tree To Be Screened At Raritan Valley Community College

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A documentary celebrating the life of Basking Ridge's historic 600-year-old tree, titled "Under the Great Oak," will be screened at Raritan Valley Community College.

The feature-length documentary about the 600-year-old oak tree was completed by township local and screenwriter Michael Reynolds. (See Related: Film Preserving Memory Of Basking Ridge's Ancient Oak Completed)

"I am very excited about [the screening]. The real challenge was the film was released two weeks after the first COVID shutdown on March 22, 2020," said Reynolds, who also serves as an adjunct film professor at the college. "We canceled a lot of screenings that we had hopes of supporting the release. It was frustrating to not get the attention to the film."

The free screening will be held on Thursday, April 21 from 1:10 to 2:30 p.m. and commemorates the five-year anniversary of the takedown of the Great Oak. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided.

In addition to introducing students to the story of the Great Oak, Reynolds will be hosting a panel after the screening discussing opportunities in filmmaking in Somerset County and state.

The panel includes Carly Reicho, Director of Distribution, 1091 Pictures; Daryl Eisenberg, Casting Director at Somerset County Film Commission; and Adam Scherr of Nous Entertainment, and board member with Somerset Count Film Commission.

Reynolds is particularly excited about the panel discussion to inspire students and the community.

"I am very excited about 'Under The Great Oak' finding fresh new audience folks at Raritan Valley. The film will serve as a good example for young people trying to break into the industry and maybe serve as a model they can do something themselves," said Reynolds.

The panel discussion will be recorded and made available through Under The Great Oak's social media, and youtube channel.

The film, which is part of RVCC's Earth Month celebrations, illustrates the impact the tree had on the community through interviews and the Great Oak Art Celebration, which brought together artists and members of the community to honor the tree and its place in history.

The tree was possibly the oldest white oak tree in the country and was taken down on April 24, 2017, after it died over the summer in 2016 despite efforts of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to preserve it.

• See Related: Tears Flow As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Being Cut Down
• See Related: Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died

Watch the trailer of the film below:

For more information on the film follow Under the Great Oak on Facebook @UndertheGreatOak or visit greatoakmovie.com.

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