A tale of passion and purity set in late 19th century New England The Old Mill (note: may have to change title to The Fires of Home, may have to change entire Web site, check with Walt!) tells the story of the ebb and flow of a man's life. Frank Lowell (Bob Barrenger) is a fireman battling the flames of local fires and the passion that burns in his heart. When his incindiary tendencies lead to the death of the mayor's daughter and his trusted horse, Frank seeks solace and redemption in the arms of Nancy (Claire Wellesley). While Nancy tries to give Bob a second chance at purity, she finds herself strangely affected by the passion that burns within him. Like fire and water, Nancy and Frank clash as they try to reconcile the aspirations of their souls with the desires of their hearts. In the end, both characters will need a second chance to discover their true calling.

Shot on location in the town of Waterford, Vermont, The Old Mill (change to The Fires of Home??) has all the signs of an instant classic. Directed by Academy Award® nominee Walt Price (Ghandi 2) and written by Obie Award® winning playwright Joseph Turner White (Anguish), The Old Mill weaves symbolism and rhetoric seamlessly into this tale of a passionate fireman's quest for purity.

Says Barrenger: "Even though the film is set in 1895, I feel that the themes it addresses, namely the quest for purity, is something that still resonates today and will probably do so for a long time. Man will always be torn between earthly desire and heavenly aspiration and he will always have to try and reconcile the two."

The conflict between passion and purity is one that permeates the entire film from the physical elements at play to the internal battles within each character.

Says Price: 'The shot of the fire house window at the end of the film, to me that's it, it's all there. That shot is the quest for purity, because it's emblematic of the fragility and beauty of such a quest"

But while this quest is fragile, the story reveals that sometimes in life we are provided a second chance -- the possibility of a rebirth. For Nancy, it is the opportunity to reevaluate her long-held commitments and for Frank, it is a chance to wash away the sins of old and start anew. Faced with their own series of second chances, the cast and crew of The Old Mil found the process of making the film an exercise in "art duplicating life"

"Or vice versa" says Wellesley "I mean is it art duplicating life? or life duplicating art? I just don't know, I don't know if anyone does, all I know is that sometimes they're just real darn similar."

Adds Rossen "We'd had some trouble in the first town we were gonna shoot in, but the people of Waterford let us in with open hearts and minds and really embraced us. The result was what I believe to be a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties. And a damn good film."

Aside from providing a stunning backdrop and lots of camera-ready extras, the town of Waterford added a timeless spirituality to the film.

Says Price: "I always wanted to do a period piece and Joe White's script, it just had it all. I mean I used to spend my summers out in the country, in towns like Waterford, and those towns you walk around them and the history just sings out to you from the cracks in the walls, it's there, it's still alive. It's alive in the architecture and it's alive in the people and I hope that this film captures that wonderful energy. "

Slated for a Christmas release The Old Mill looks to be a film enjoyed for generations to come.