Sweet Liberty

College history professor Michael Burgess learns his historically grounded novel will be turned into a Hollywood film starring Elliott James. The production is planned to shoot in Sayeville, North Carolina. Burgess is initially thrilled, but his excitement fades as a low-brow scriptwriter and a condescending director push the project toward a steamy tale of lust and betrayal that distorts history.

As filming begins, Burgess is pulled into on-set politics while his mother Cecilia's delusions haunt him. She imagines being poisoned and believes the Devil resides in her kitchen. He also struggles with his relationship with Gretchen, whom he wants to move in with him.

Burgess is drawn to Faith Healy, the actress portraying a historical heroine, and begins an affair. He convinces himself she shares the qualities of the character she plays. The affair deepens as he becomes detached from the film's exploitation of his work.

Gretchen discovers Burgess's affair and watches as Elliott James courts her. Elliott also pursues the college president's wife, Leslie, building a web of flirtations and jealousy. Elliott's wife arrives on set, further complicating the dynamic.

Burgess realizes Faith is not at all like the film character she embodies and becomes disgusted with the Hollywood process. The glamour fades as the production's manipulation becomes apparent. He questions his role within this corrupt system.

Local Revolutionary War reenactor extras are bullied and mocked by the crew. Burgess persuades them to reclaim dignity and resist the producers' derision. The moment marks a turning point in his resistance to the studio's control.

Burgess actively sabotages the production by injecting more historical accuracy and chaotic elements into the shoot. He undermines the director's insistence on sensationalism. His actions set the stage for a confrontation with the studio.

During the Battle of Cowpens recreation, the film crew triggers explosives, and a prop building is destroyed before the shot is ready. The chaos highlights the conflict between historical fidelity and Hollywood spectacle. Burgess's influence becomes glaring in the disruption.

Burgess instructs the extras to celebrate the now-chaotic battle with a naked dance around the camera. He finally reveals how he has undermined the production and turned the tables on the studio. The crowd's reaction signals a successful but controversial protest.

By the time of the town premiere, the Hollywood crew is long gone and Burgess has distanced himself from the production. Burgess reconciles with Gretchen, who arrives pregnant with their child. The town reacts to the film's outcome, a blend of history and chaos.

A Hollywood reporter asks Burgess how it feels to see history come alive on screen. He offers only a strained, uncertain smile, struggling to articulate the dissonance between truth and spectacle. The moment caps the uneasy legacy of Burgess, Gretchen, and the film.