Screenplays by John P. Roach Jr.

(Music Drama) "THE MIGHTY KUCHKA" Completed Screenplay

A true story of the "Russian Five" known as the "Mighty Kuchka", and how they evolved into bringing pure Russian music into the musical world dominated for hundreds of years by the Europeans. The talented Rimsky-Korsakov takes us through this story until modern times where Russian Composers have successfully found their place among the great musical artists of all time. The time frame is 1860 to 1908, with scenery and costumes reminiscent of the movies "Doctor Zhivago" and "Around the World in Eighty Days" The beautiful music impacts the story as in the films "Amadeus", "Immortal Beloved" and "Shine". The action takes us to some of the world’s most scenic cities, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Venice, London, Vienna, Paris, Moscow and St. Petersburg. A drama of love, music, family, friendships, disappointments and success.   This screenplay is now a BOOK with the same title published in 2009.

(War Drama) "THE FOURTEENTH STATE" Completed Screenplay

The true story of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, their capture of Fort Ticonderoga and their quest to have Vermont become an Independent Republic. Vermont must defend its borders from the British, Canadians and Americans simultaneously, while Ira Allen attempts to finesse Congress with an application to become the 14th State. The action takes us to the battle scenes of America's first Naval engagement in the Battle of Lake Champlain where Benedict Arnold takes on the mighty British Navy and the bloody land Battles of Hubberton and Bennington led by Seth Warner and John Stark. The spectacular scenery of Lake Champlain and Vermont's Green Mountain Range is the setting for this drama of courage, friendships, family, dedication, adventure and the great love between Ethan Allen and the beautiful and charming Fanny Allen.   The Fourteenth State is available to the public as a BOOK since 2007.

(Art Drama) "DEGAS" Completed Screenplay

The true story of the artist Edgar Degas and his contemporaries including Manet, Renoir, Gauguin, Cesanne, Cassatt, Monet and others. Rather than be criticized and rebuked by the Salon they started their own breakthrough in art called "The Impressionist School." Mary Cassatt an American painter living in Paris befriends Edgar Degas and leads us through this story of challenge, rejection, dedication and ultimately world fame. Published as a BOOK titled "Absinthe" in 2009.

(Romantic Comedy) "MT. SOLEDAD LOVE STORY Completed Screenplay

Millionaire Atheist Radcliff Leach considers the Easter Sunrise Service before the Cross-atop La Jolla, California's Mt. Soledad an unconstitutional violation of separation of Church and State as well as personal affront to his atheistic philosophy. He dedicates his time and fortune to the removal of this Religious Symbol from both Mt. Soledad and nearby Mt. Helix. Radcliff falls in love with the very beautiful and intelligent Laura and life seems perfect until the results of his annual physical exam determines he has terminal cancer. His philosophy of denying the existence of God is challenged by the clock ticking like a time bomb inside his body as he balances his imminent death with the great love and compassion given to him by Laura. A Romantic Comedy with lots of humor leads us to tradegy and ultimate glory.  Published as a BOOK in 2007.

(Outer Space & Archeology) "INQUIRING MINDS" A Screenplay Short or Treatment

Across America today students are taught Darwin's Theory as if it were a Fact that the earth is 6.2 billion years old and that man descended from the ape. Two students, Michelle and Jack find this teaching outrageous and take on the establishment by producing a movie with the intent of changing high school curriculums nationwide. This movie places Darwin's Theory side by side with The Big Bang Theory, Space Ship Theories, Cataclysmic Theory and Creationism from Genesis, and other Bibles read for their historical content and Ancient Historical Documents permitting the students to decide for themselves both the age of the earth and their own origin rather than have teachers expect them to accept that they descended from apes.

(Drama of a Despicable Genius) "THE SWAN'' Completed Screenplay

The dichotomy of a bigot with many prejudices capable of creating the most sublime music of his day. King Ludwig II of Bavaria had to reconcile with Richard Wagner's deceit, despicable conduct and anti-Semitism, which he did not condone yet he could not resist supporting Wagner in the creation his beautiful music. A true story of poverty, intrigue, escape, deceit, extravagance, romance, murder and ultimately world fame.   Published as a BOOK in 2009 with the title, "Triumph of the Swan".