A film commemorating the 1959 Theatre Boycott premiered this weekend to standing ovations and packed houses at two local theatres.

Errol Williams documentary `When Voice Rise', which traces the story of the once-anonymous engineers of the Island's desegregation, has drawn raves from the general public, political leaders and the very subjects of the tale.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Randy Horton vowed at the close of the film's first screening on Saturday that every student in Bermuda will see the tale.

"I really learned from this film and, on behalf of the Bermuda Government, I'm going to make sure all the students in the schools see this," he said as he was nearly drowned out by applause.

It was a move welcomed by one young man who attended the screening.

"I thought it was excellent," said Selwyn Berkeley. "I learned a lot. You see people every day but you don't realise what an important role they played in our history. I knew a bit about the story but not the depth of it and I don't think many others do either."

Mr. Berkeley said young Bermudians tend to know the stories of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King without knowing anything of their own local heroes.

"It would be great if they had this in the schools and I hope Mr. Horton really means what he said," Mr. Berkeley added.

Many of the members of the Progressive Group who organised the boycott which led to the desegregation not only of the theatres but also of hotels, restaurants and churches were in the audience on Saturday to see their stories writ large on the screen.

Bermuda International Film Festival executive director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse had the opportunity of seeing her father Dr. Stanley Ratteray - who acted as leader of the Progressive Group - honoured in the festival she co-founded.

"It is thrilling to be here," she said.

Also present was former Bermuda Recorder journalist Ira Philip - who reported on the boycott which began on June 15, 1959 as well as playing a major role of his own in the unfolding events.

"He did an excellent job," said Mr. Philip. "We gave him so much material, the way he pulled it all together in a really interesting and entertaining way is so impressive."

The world premiere screening took place at Southside Cinema and one hour later a follow up began at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Viewers emerged from the Southside screening emotionally charged and most remained clustered around the doors of the theatre for roughly half and hour, embracing and discussing the film.

"He made a very powerful and very important picture," said Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott who attended the premiere along with Cabinet colleagues Mr. Horton and David Allen.

Mr. Scott said he hoped the film will be the beginning of a wave of renewed interest in Bermudian history.

"This film fully explained the extreme heroism and efforts of these pioneers and all who were involved should be applauded."

And there was much applause as those history-makers in the audience stood at the close of the film to receive their due - nearly 43 years after they brought down the system of segregation in just two weeks.

"This film taught me so much about Bermuda's past," said Jamaican Ricardo Wilson. "The changes the country went through, I don't think I could have gone through the things these people went through while they were being held down. It is a very different Bermuda now."

Mr. Williams took the film to a tight deadline - he and co-producer Chris Campbell finished the film at 3 a.m. Saturday - just 13 hours before it premiered.

While Mr. Williams left the Halifax airport at just after 6 a.m. on one flight, Mr. Cambell followed on a second flight later that day.

Each carried a copy of the film which has sold out all three.

"I've had two days without sleep," Mr. Williams said.