The Pardue Brothers
Danbury, Connecticut | Film Feature
Crime, Documentary
The Pardue Brothers is about a largely forgotten true crime story with real victims, real communities, and real unanswered questions. By supporting this film, you're helping preserve history before all the people who lived it are gone.
The Pardue Brothers
Danbury, Connecticut | Film Feature
Crime, Documentary
1 Campaigns | Connecticut, United States
5 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,100
Goal: $26,365 for production
The Pardue Brothers is about a largely forgotten true crime story with real victims, real communities, and real unanswered questions. By supporting this film, you're helping preserve history before all the people who lived it are gone.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE PARDUE BROTHERS: A TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY
Reconstructing a largely forgotten true crime story through firsthand testimony, archival research, and community collaboration — creating an honest, accurate record that honors the victims, preserves the historical truth, and brings long-overdue clarity to the events of 1968–1970 and their aftermath.
On Friday, February 13, 1970, three coordinated bombs detonated in Danbury, Connecticut. Twenty-six people were injured. The men responsible had already committed or were instrumental in five murders — including those of their own father and grandmother — and no one had connected the crimes yet.
Brothers John and James Pardue spent two years moving between Connecticut, New York, Missouri, and Maryland, leaving behind a trail that included five bank robberies, five murders, a state trooper locked in the trunk of his own cruiser, and bodies buried under a concrete slab at the end of a Maryland driveway. They were methodical. They were careful. And they were largely invisible... until they weren't.
Their arrest didn't end the story. The FBI investigation that followed was one of the most remarkable pieces of detective work of its era. The brothers were arrested in March 1970 — but the full scope of their crimes didn't come to light until more than a year later, when John Pardue attempted to shoot his way out of a federal courthouse. Mortally wounded, he spent his final days giving a detailed deathbed confession to Special Agent Thurl Stalnaker describing every crime in precise detail.
James Pardue was never tried — deemed mentally unfit to stand trial, his charges were ultimately dismissed on constitutional grounds after years in legal limbo. John's wife went to prison. Children were left behind. And communities hit hardest by these events moved on without ever knowing the complete picture.
The Pardue Brothers reconstructs this story in full, for the first time, through firsthand interviews, declassified FBI files, court records, and community-sourced history.
Why this story? The records exist. The FBI files are declassified. The court documents are unsealed. The dying declaration is on file at the National Archives. But no one has told this story on film — not with the depth, the rigor, or the respect it deserves. The communities at the center of it — Danbury, Georgetown, and Bridgeport in Connecticut; Union and Pacific in Missouri; Lewisboro/Vista in New York — have never seen this history fully assembled and told.
By supporting this film, you're helping preserve real testimony before it disappears, honoring the victims and the law enforcement officers who fought for accountability, and ensuring that a significant chapter in the history of these communities is documented rather than lost.
Why us? Daniel J. Mulvihill Jr. has spent six years building a verified factual timeline from FBI teletypes, National Archives records, court documents, and firsthand accounts. That research is the foundation this film is built on. Blaze Mazur (Blazur Films LLC) brings NYU Tisch-trained filmmaking craft to every frame. Together, under Hey Brother Productions LLC, we have the research depth and the production capability to do this story justice.
Why now? The survivors of the Danbury bombing are aging. Living witnesses to these events are fewer every year. Families connected to this case are ready to speak — but that window is closing. This film needs to be made now, while the testimony is still available to capture and the memories still intact.
This is not a cold case. It is a story with living witnesses, surviving families, and unresolved questions. Every year we wait, we lose something we cannot get back.
Where we are in production: Filming has begun. We've completed multiple interviews and location shoots in Maryland, Connecticut, and New York, and identified key interview subjects. This is a living investigation: six years of declassified FBI files, National Archives teletypes, federal court dockets, death certificates, laboratory reports, and firsthand accounts give us a locked factual spine — and we're still not done. Every new federal record we pry loose gets cross-checked and folded in as it arrives, which means the story only gets sharper the longer we work. That's the standard we hold this film to. We are actively in production and ready to expand.
What your contribution funds: Your support covers the core costs of bringing this film to life — production crew for 12–15 shoot days, a multi-day filming trip to Union and Pacific, Missouri, archival licensing, post-production editing, sound design, music licensing, and legal review. Every dollar goes directly to the screen.
In 1970, the Pardue Brothers walked out of the Union Savings Bank in Danbury with $26,365 in cash (and even more in travelers' checks. That is exactly what we need to green light this film.
Stretch Goals
$36,000 — Assistant editor, color grading, expanded social campaign
$50,925 — Full vision: PR support, expanded music budget, additional location shoots
What happens when we're done: The finished documentary will be submitted to a targeted slate of film festivals, with priority given to festivals in Connecticut and Missouri where community impact will resonate most. The film will also be presented to local historical societies and through community outreach efforts in the towns directly affected by these events.
The Pardue Brothers is committed to telling this story with accuracy and dignity. We will actively seek voices from all communities impacted by these events — including victims' families, survivors, and the towns affected — and will consult with legal counsel and community representatives throughout production.
How to help right now:
- Pledge — every contribution at every level moves this film forward
- Follow — following the campaign on Seed&Spark costs nothing and helps us build momentum
- Share — copy and paste this link and send it to one person who loves true crime or local history: seedandspark.com/fund/theparduebrothers
*Disclosure: Portions of this campaign were developed with the assistance of AI tools. All research, factual claims, creative direction, and final editorial decisions are entirely our own. The story, the evidence, and the six years of work behind it are human — start to finish.*
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
TRIP TO MISSOURI
Costs $2,500
Travel and lodging for multi-day filming in Union and Pacific, MO — primary crime locations.
HISTORICAL LICENSING
Costs $1,000
Licensing fees for historical photos, police records, and newspaper images from 1968–1973.
REENACTMENTS
Costs $1,000
Minimal atmospheric reenactments — hands, silhouettes, textures. Actors, costume, location - not full dramatization.
PRODUCTION
Costs $10,000
Cinematography & sound for about 10 shoot days across CT, NY, and MO.
EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION
Costs $8,000
Lead editor, 8–12 weeks. Final cut of all interviews, archival material, and reenactment footage.
EQUIPMENT, CRAFT & CONTINGENCY
Costs $1,865
Camera/audio/lighting rental, craft services, marketing materials, and 5% contingency.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DANIEL J. MULVIHILL JR.
Daniel J. Mulvihill, Jr. has been an actor for the past forty years with stage, film, and TV credits. He is now focusing on behind the scenes writing, directing, and producing projects for consideration for TV & Film. His creativity and collaboration with others enhance the goals of making good stories, great stories. With projects like The Pardue Brothers; the research has taken over five years, and has produced a factual timeline of the story.
BLAZE MAZUR
Blaze Mazur is a filmmaker and media professional driven by a profound passion for storytelling and visual arts. A native of the Tri-State area, he discovered his love for filmmaking at an early age, embarking on a creative journey that led him to study at New York University’s renowned Tisch School of the Arts. Blaze's diverse experience spans artistic and professional projects, including narrative films, documentary filmmaking, theater, commercials, and still photography. Blaze has collaborated with a range of talents, ranging from musicians to politicians to fine artists, as well as independently producing his own projects.
Together, they are combining long-term research with a visual approach to reconstruct and document this story.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE PARDUE BROTHERS: A TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY
Reconstructing a largely forgotten true crime story through firsthand testimony, archival research, and community collaboration — creating an honest, accurate record that honors the victims, preserves the historical truth, and brings long-overdue clarity to the events of 1968–1970 and their aftermath.
On Friday, February 13, 1970, three coordinated bombs detonated in Danbury, Connecticut. Twenty-six people were injured. The men responsible had already committed or were instrumental in five murders — including those of their own father and grandmother — and no one had connected the crimes yet.
Brothers John and James Pardue spent two years moving between Connecticut, New York, Missouri, and Maryland, leaving behind a trail that included five bank robberies, five murders, a state trooper locked in the trunk of his own cruiser, and bodies buried under a concrete slab at the end of a Maryland driveway. They were methodical. They were careful. And they were largely invisible... until they weren't.
Their arrest didn't end the story. The FBI investigation that followed was one of the most remarkable pieces of detective work of its era. The brothers were arrested in March 1970 — but the full scope of their crimes didn't come to light until more than a year later, when John Pardue attempted to shoot his way out of a federal courthouse. Mortally wounded, he spent his final days giving a detailed deathbed confession to Special Agent Thurl Stalnaker describing every crime in precise detail.
James Pardue was never tried — deemed mentally unfit to stand trial, his charges were ultimately dismissed on constitutional grounds after years in legal limbo. John's wife went to prison. Children were left behind. And communities hit hardest by these events moved on without ever knowing the complete picture.
The Pardue Brothers reconstructs this story in full, for the first time, through firsthand interviews, declassified FBI files, court records, and community-sourced history.
Why this story? The records exist. The FBI files are declassified. The court documents are unsealed. The dying declaration is on file at the National Archives. But no one has told this story on film — not with the depth, the rigor, or the respect it deserves. The communities at the center of it — Danbury, Georgetown, and Bridgeport in Connecticut; Union and Pacific in Missouri; Lewisboro/Vista in New York — have never seen this history fully assembled and told.
By supporting this film, you're helping preserve real testimony before it disappears, honoring the victims and the law enforcement officers who fought for accountability, and ensuring that a significant chapter in the history of these communities is documented rather than lost.
Why us? Daniel J. Mulvihill Jr. has spent six years building a verified factual timeline from FBI teletypes, National Archives records, court documents, and firsthand accounts. That research is the foundation this film is built on. Blaze Mazur (Blazur Films LLC) brings NYU Tisch-trained filmmaking craft to every frame. Together, under Hey Brother Productions LLC, we have the research depth and the production capability to do this story justice.
Why now? The survivors of the Danbury bombing are aging. Living witnesses to these events are fewer every year. Families connected to this case are ready to speak — but that window is closing. This film needs to be made now, while the testimony is still available to capture and the memories still intact.
This is not a cold case. It is a story with living witnesses, surviving families, and unresolved questions. Every year we wait, we lose something we cannot get back.
Where we are in production: Filming has begun. We've completed multiple interviews and location shoots in Maryland, Connecticut, and New York, and identified key interview subjects. This is a living investigation: six years of declassified FBI files, National Archives teletypes, federal court dockets, death certificates, laboratory reports, and firsthand accounts give us a locked factual spine — and we're still not done. Every new federal record we pry loose gets cross-checked and folded in as it arrives, which means the story only gets sharper the longer we work. That's the standard we hold this film to. We are actively in production and ready to expand.
What your contribution funds: Your support covers the core costs of bringing this film to life — production crew for 12–15 shoot days, a multi-day filming trip to Union and Pacific, Missouri, archival licensing, post-production editing, sound design, music licensing, and legal review. Every dollar goes directly to the screen.
In 1970, the Pardue Brothers walked out of the Union Savings Bank in Danbury with $26,365 in cash (and even more in travelers' checks. That is exactly what we need to green light this film.
Stretch Goals
$36,000 — Assistant editor, color grading, expanded social campaign
$50,925 — Full vision: PR support, expanded music budget, additional location shoots
What happens when we're done: The finished documentary will be submitted to a targeted slate of film festivals, with priority given to festivals in Connecticut and Missouri where community impact will resonate most. The film will also be presented to local historical societies and through community outreach efforts in the towns directly affected by these events.
The Pardue Brothers is committed to telling this story with accuracy and dignity. We will actively seek voices from all communities impacted by these events — including victims' families, survivors, and the towns affected — and will consult with legal counsel and community representatives throughout production.
How to help right now:
- Pledge — every contribution at every level moves this film forward
- Follow — following the campaign on Seed&Spark costs nothing and helps us build momentum
- Share — copy and paste this link and send it to one person who loves true crime or local history: seedandspark.com/fund/theparduebrothers
*Disclosure: Portions of this campaign were developed with the assistance of AI tools. All research, factual claims, creative direction, and final editorial decisions are entirely our own. The story, the evidence, and the six years of work behind it are human — start to finish.*
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
TRIP TO MISSOURI
Costs $2,500
Travel and lodging for multi-day filming in Union and Pacific, MO — primary crime locations.
HISTORICAL LICENSING
Costs $1,000
Licensing fees for historical photos, police records, and newspaper images from 1968–1973.
REENACTMENTS
Costs $1,000
Minimal atmospheric reenactments — hands, silhouettes, textures. Actors, costume, location - not full dramatization.
PRODUCTION
Costs $10,000
Cinematography & sound for about 10 shoot days across CT, NY, and MO.
EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION
Costs $8,000
Lead editor, 8–12 weeks. Final cut of all interviews, archival material, and reenactment footage.
EQUIPMENT, CRAFT & CONTINGENCY
Costs $1,865
Camera/audio/lighting rental, craft services, marketing materials, and 5% contingency.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
DANIEL J. MULVIHILL JR.
Daniel J. Mulvihill, Jr. has been an actor for the past forty years with stage, film, and TV credits. He is now focusing on behind the scenes writing, directing, and producing projects for consideration for TV & Film. His creativity and collaboration with others enhance the goals of making good stories, great stories. With projects like The Pardue Brothers; the research has taken over five years, and has produced a factual timeline of the story.
BLAZE MAZUR
Blaze Mazur is a filmmaker and media professional driven by a profound passion for storytelling and visual arts. A native of the Tri-State area, he discovered his love for filmmaking at an early age, embarking on a creative journey that led him to study at New York University’s renowned Tisch School of the Arts. Blaze's diverse experience spans artistic and professional projects, including narrative films, documentary filmmaking, theater, commercials, and still photography. Blaze has collaborated with a range of talents, ranging from musicians to politicians to fine artists, as well as independently producing his own projects.
Together, they are combining long-term research with a visual approach to reconstruct and document this story.