A DVD of the locally produced film When Voices Rise about the 1959 Theatre Boycott was among of the most popular Christmas stocking stuffers in Bermuda this year.

The theatre boycott, led by the Progressive Group, was a peaceful demonstration that led to the end of officially sanctioned segregation in Bermuda. Until recently the identities of all of the Progressive Group members were kept a secret. Now the complete story of the historic boycott is available on DVD or video thanks to local filmmaker Errol Williams.

"It took a little while to catch on," said Mr. Williams. "But now I walk around with a couple of videos and DVDs in my bag. The DVDs were by far the more popular Christmas present this year. I am absolutely surprised at how popular it has been."

Mr. Williams said more DVDs than videos have sold. He initially printed up a 1,000 videos and DVDs and still has some left for purchase. He said that the whole story of how Bermuda was desegregated is not totally known by everyone on the island.

"Everyone had a little piece of the story here and there," he said. "What was new to people was to hear the whole story. I think that what happened is that people were very surprised to know we have real live heroes in our midst. I think you don't have to go around sabre rattling to be a hero."

He said When Voices Rise two years in the making was both enlightening and entertaining.

"Sometimes people were a bit resistant to it at first," he said. "Anything that has to do with history, people roll their eyes or their eyes glaze over. Once they see it and hear the story being told in an entertaining way then they are all for it."

Mr. Williams said he was very pleased that the film started dialogue about the past.

"When it first came out in April, the Department of Education made sure the students of middle schools and Government high schools saw it. Then some of the private schools came out to see it including Saltus Grammar School and the Bermuda High School for Girls."

Mr. Williams was awarded the Queen's Certificate & Badge of Honor for his efforts.

"When I got the call about the Queen's Certificate I thought they had got the wrong number," he said.

Kenneth (Pres) Ebbin, interviewed in When Voices Rise, also received the Queen's Certificate for his role in the 1959 Theatre Boycott.

"I do think that one of the good things that came out of this was that people involved received some recognition. I don't think people were out craving recognition, but now that it is out they are happy," said Mr. Williams.

The DVDs and videos of When Voices Rise are on sale at True Reflections, Bermuda Bookstore, The Liberty Theatre, The Bermuda National Gallery and Dub City.