800 missions, saving 576 lives. That is the story of local war hero Royal Stratton as told by his nephew and film producer Christopher Johnson, an Ellwood native.
Johnson, along with production partner Mariana Tosca, directed a 90-minute film titled “Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission” that was released in February 2021.
Tosca and Johnson, born in Ellwood City, traveled the globe to locate and interview the last remaining voices of the Greatest Generation in order to secure firsthand, historical accounts of some of the most consequential events of the war. The film has taken 10 years to complete.
“The film is a hybrid documentary/narrative feature allowed us to capitalize on the gravity and importance of the veteran’s stories and the dramatic impact of narrative feature film storytelling” advises the 48-year-old Johnson.
Born in 1972, Johnson spent his early childhood in Ellwood City but later moved away before attending school.
Writer-Director Christopher Johnson
“My extended family remains in Ellwood to this day and I continue to visit for our annual family reunions and special occasions,” says Johnson.
“Ellwood City is the quintessential ‘small-town’ America,” adds Johnson. “For me it holds the mythological quality of being literally forged from Pennsylvania steel and harkens back to images of Norman Rockwell.”
We were able to have both Mariana and Christopher answer some questions we had about the film and how the pair got into film making. Here is what they had to say about the film and what viewers can expect to see.
How did you get into film making and producing?
Mariana: I’ve worked in the film and TV industry for a few decades and for it was just natural to move towards the production side of film making. I like being able to create my own projects rather than trying to find gigs on other projects. It creates a bigger world of possibility and collaboration.
Christopher: I have been interested in motion pictures since I was about four or five when my dad filmed home movies. I used to engross myself in a book called Stage Make-up where I read about actors transformations into famous characters like Freddy Kruger. Special Effects Make-up was how I became a professional in Hollywood, the experiences helped me transition into writing and directing my own films. This movie is my fourth independently produced film with my company Misty Falls Motion Pictures.
What made you want to make a film about WWII?
Mariana: It wasn’t really at the top of my list for creative priorities, but making a film about extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice and valor has been a great interest of mine. When I heard about this true story, I simply had to produce this film. I wanted to preserve this part of our national and world history.
Christopher: The subject matter was not as important to me but learning about my great uncle, Royal Stratton, who was a rescue pilot and did not come home from WWII. The initial plan was to create a narrative feature film about what took him from us. After doing research and doing an interview with the only surviving member of Royal’s crew, it was clear that the story was about the veterans. This hybrid documentary/narrative feature allowed us to shed light on the importance of the veteran’s stories.
How did you learn who Royal Stratton was?
Mariana: Christopher and I have been film production partners for years and one day he shared with me the story of his great-uncle, WWII pilot Royal Stratton, and the mission which claimed his life. When I learned that the members of Royal’s crew were flying into perilous combat zones, in most cases without any armament or protection, I was astounded by their heroism. As the story progressed I learned of Royal’s valiant efforts in saving the lives of nine downed airmen from the Dragon Lady, a B29 which had ditched in the open ocean between Iwo Jima an Japan.
Christopher: Royal’s grandson, my cousin, would often attend our annual Stratton family reunion. Royal’s widow would also be in attendance and upon my cousin’s arrival, she would be moved to tears by his profound resemblance to Royal. It was in learning about why she was affected in this manner that Royal became known to me personally.
Other than Christopher, are there any other local actors in this movie?
Mariana: One of the heroes in our film, Lt. Royal Stratton, was from Ellwood City. His great-nephew who wrote and directed the film, Christopher Johnson, was born in Ellwood City.There are a number of Ellwood City residents featured in the film: Royal’s brother – Harold Stratton, Royal’s sisters – Ada Hinkle and Ruth Steckman, fellow 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron member – Staff Sgt. Laverle Westerman, and WWII veteran and fellow New Castle Airport flight student – Colonel Dale Anderson.
What can we expect to see in this movie?
Mariana: We have spent over a decade traveling the world, locating and interviewing the surviving members of the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron and the last voices of the Greatest Generation. It has been a labor love and a rarefied privilege to get to know these people and to be entrusted with their personal stories. We made a promise to these veterans that their service, dedication and sacrifice would not be forgotten. One of the most important objectives was to document and preserve this important history for future generations, so that those who come after us will know from where they came and understand how the freedom and opportunities they enjoy have been won.
Christopher: The film is a story that explores the epic journey from pre-war life in ‘small-town’ America to the war-torn South Pacific where our veterans intersect with the most consequential turning points of WWII. Journey to Royal: A WWII Rescue Mission encompasses both the intimate, personal stories that engage us as audience members as well the broader implications of functioning as a rescue squadron in enemy territory.
Journey to Royal is available on streaming and cable platforms worldwide, including: Amazon, iTunes, GooglePlay. FandangoNow, Vudu, Vimeo, and across hundreds of cable providers including, Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Dish, and DirecTv and Blu-ray retailers include all major online retailers.
For more information visit: JourneyToRoyal.com and follow @JourneyToRoyal on Facebook and Instagram.
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