| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| James N. |
Posted - November 08 2010 : 1:25:57 PM
Last week I had the pleasure to catch a segment of the Public Broadcasting System's new series on Native Americans, the exact name of which I forget, but seems to be part of The American Experience. Previously, I'd seen a segment dealing with Massasoit and the Pilgrims, and his heir King Phillip and the Puritans and was overall favorably impressed despite the shortcuts and liberties taken with the story. ( For example, Phillip's elder brother and predecessor Wamsutta is totally omitted, despite his likely having been murdered by the Puritans, thereby "adding fuel to the fire". ) Costumes, makeup, sets, and props all looked very good and believable, aided by the fact that all Amerindian actors spoke the Nipmuc language.
This latest segment dealt with the treaties and controversies of the Cherokee, featuring the factions of the mixed-blood but steadfast John Ross and that of the more mallieable Colonel Ridge, played by Wes Studi. Throughout, the Cherokee leaders were shown in proper 1830's gentlemen's attire, living in frame houses, speaking a mixture of Cherokee and English. ( Wes as The Ridge spoke only Cherokee, sounding very much like Magua talking to the Sachem, while looking like an Indian Andrew Jackson! ) Though again hardly inclusive, it did portray such diverse elements as Sequoyah's Cherokee "alphabet" and the culminating Trail of Tears. Again, costumes, settings, hairstyles, etc. were outstanding.
Other segments I saw promoted deal with Tecumseh and the Shawnee and Geronomo and the Apache. Try to catch this, or portions of it, as you can before it disappears! |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| James N. |
Posted - November 09 2010 : 1:50:18 PM
Somehow I'd failed to notice this when it was new - maybe because I've only had cable a little over a year. I'd somehow managed to forget the last segment, Wounded Knee, a documentary which prominently features our "favorite" Indian activist, Russel Means, along with others. Each episode seems to be followed by some of "the making of" features mentioned by IWLFNDU. At any rate, if anyone else has missed it previously, it's again available and seems pretty worthwhile. |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - November 08 2010 : 8:26:12 PM
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/ |
| IWLFNDU |
Posted - November 08 2010 : 8:15:56 PM
Hey, James N. The series is called We Shall Remain--an excellent documentary series that originally aired last year sometime. I caught it then and remember Wes Studi menioning in an interview it was the first time he was able to speak in his native Cherokee on film. Much effort went into making all the episodes as authentic as possible, especially where it concerns the languages and dress. The episodes and behind-the-scenes may even still be available on the PBS website. If you can, check it out. It's well worth the time.
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| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - November 08 2010 : 4:48:47 PM
That first few segments with the Puritans - King Phillip was on in this neck of the woods a few months ago, - I thought it was very well done. I haven't seen the later episodes, - but would be surprised if they weren't as well done. |
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![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
