Movie Director Praises Westford for Hospitality During Filming

Michael Carr liked his time in Westford so much, he’s hoping to make a return trip.

The director has spent part of the summer shooting the film “The American Templars” in Westford. The movie is based on the book “Cabal of the Westford Knight,” written by Westford author David Brody.

With shooting wrapped on the film, Carr and his crew are now in the editing studio putting the finishing touches on the project with the goal to have it ready to screen at film festivals in the fall. In addition, Carr said he would like to return to Westford for a premiere event.

“We don’t have any details yet, but we’d love to have something up and running in late September or early October, and a Westford premiere could be around then,” said Carr. “I can’t speak highly enough about Westford. It’s just a great town with great people.”

The film centers around the belief that Prince Henry Sinclair came to Westford before Christopher Columbus discovered America. Carvings discovered in Westford seem to support the theory, according to some historians.

Under Carr’s direction, the film takes on an adventurous theme that he believes will allow viewers to follow in the path of the heroes, except “without the murder and mayhem.”

Scenes were filmed in a variety of locations in Westford, and included cameos by many residents. In addition, Westford Academy graduate Rae Troisi is among the cast members.

Carr said he has always had the desire to create an adventure film like “The American Templars,” joking that he grew up wanting to have a bullwhip and a fedora.

Once the editing process is completed, Carr will seek to find a distributor willing to back the film.

Throughout the lengthy process of creating the film, one thing that stood out to Carr was the support of the people of Westford.

“Westford was such a pleasure to work in,” he said. “I could not have asked for a warmer reception. The people were fantastic in their hospitality, and the way they embraced our production in town.”