About the Movie

  “Creating the Erie Canal” profiles the circumstances surrounding the core group of engineers that designed and oversaw the construction of the original Erie Canal. All were upstate New York pioneers with little or no civil engineering experience. Most had never even seen a canal. The film shows how they accepted the challenge, the hardships, and setbacks they encountered, which prepared them for future careers in engineering. 

Tom Garber, America's foremost maritime documentarian, was born and raised in a city along the Erie Canal, Syracuse. His understanding of the upstate New York ethos, geography, and climate gives the film a unique depth and texture. This is Mr. Garber's thirteenth feature documentary film and aligns with his other films' themes to elevate and inspire the human spirit.  

Engaging and educational, "Creating the Erie Canal" utilizes an interesting assortment of techniques and technology to tell its story.  16mm landscape film footage is combined with GenAI compositions to create a seamless mosaic of early 19th century life in upstate New York.  The film also mines the deep archives of New York State and other institutions.