Re: Another Michael Mann Interview ... Brandt??

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: I'm not sure who Anne Grant is, but I found this interesting bit about Brandt...
: "There are many stories about Joseph Brant's religious life. Some were true, some false, most were exaggerated. This story was given to historian W.L. Stone prior to 1838 by a Professor Griscom. It has been attributed to Red Jacket, the Seneca orator. However, Red Jacket was an avowed atheist -- a disbeliever in Jesus Christ. Brant, however, professed to be Christian and this story is more characteristic of him than of Red Jacket. 

:       Jemima Wilkerson lived in western New York as the self-proclaimed -- "Savior of the World" -- as his second appearance on earth. She lived in a mansion surrounded by many deluded and subservient followers. Word of her claims attracted the interest of Joseph Brant. He was curious about things religious throughout his life. Brant's celebrity also made him known to Jemima. His name struck terror in the hearts of Tories and colonists, and kindled hope in the hearts of his people. They both expressed the desire to meet each other.

:       Finally, Brant went to her, visiting her mansion and requesting an interview. After some delay, he was admitted into her presence. She spoke a few words of welcome to Joseph. He replied in a lengthy speech in the Mohawk language. When he finished, she said, "I cannot understand a word you said. Do you speak English?" 

:       Joseph then spoke to her in another Indian language, and again she complained she did not understand him.

:       After a pause, he started his speech in a third and still different Indian language, when she interrupted him. This time she strongly protested his persistence in talking in a language she did not understand.

:       Brant arose with dignity, and with a wave of his hand, said, "Madam, you are not the person you pretend to be. Jesus Christ can understand one language as well as another." He turned and abruptly left."

: This seems to epitomize the 'historical' Brandt my reading has revealed. Chief Hendrick was several generations previous to Brandt as I recall.
: Danalee 


: : : Yes, Danalee! That jumped out at me instantly! Joseph Brandt? Huh? Same film???? I don't know ... Dennis Banks WAS Ongewasgone in the film ... or, as he's known around here, Uncle Wiscone ... Either it's been too many viewings for MM, or he modeled, in his mind, this character after Brandt. 

: : ~~~~~~~~~~~

: : We talked about this confusion sometime in the past.  The quote Dennis Banks' line comes from is attributed to King Hendrick, who had also been to England.  I think we wondered why he shifted Brant into the past, and didn't just use Hendrick when referring to whose lands The LOTM protagonists might have passed by.  It is interesting to note that Cooper's use of the name Hurons when he usually meant Iroquois originally was the mistake of Anne Grant whose memoirs he apparantly made use of in his Leatherstocking series, and which Mann chose to correct (He's no Huron...).  She also makes a mistake about Hendrick, saying she met him when he had died some time before.  Did she meet Brant?

: : Regards,
: : Victoria


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