02/25/2026
Resolved to Live and Die: The Revolutionary Roots of Southwest Virginia is a historical documentary produced by Blue Ridge PBS and PBS Appalachia Virginia that examines the often-overlooked role of Southwest Virginia in the early years of the American Revolution. The film focuses on the Fincastle Resolutions of 1775, a declaration by frontier leaders asserting their commitment to liberty and to resistance against British rule, issued more than a year before the Declaration of Independence, from which the film takes its title. Through on-location filming at regional historic sites, dramatic reenactments, and expert commentary, the documentary explores the political, military, and cultural contributions of frontier Virginians, including militia action, settler experiences, and the complex loyalties of the period. It aims to illuminate how this rugged region helped shape the broader struggle for independence and to contextualize Southwest Virginia’s pivotal — and frequently under-recognized — influence on the founding of the United States.
Explore Resolved to Live and Die: The Revolutionary Roots of Southwest Virginia, a PBS documentary uncovering the Fincastle Resolutions and Southwest Virginia’s vital role in America’s fight for independence.
