Description

This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sourcesvia documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"a play of destiny"
Produced and directed by Jack Leustig, and hosted by Kevin Costner, this second volume is one of the best of the 8 tape series, and though it has a horrifying tale of slaughter and conquest, it also has much beauty as it shows the artifacts of the Aztecs and illustrates their history with excellent paintings, graphics from many sources, maps, and the cinematography of Gary Steele; the score by Peter Buffett also enhances the film.
It is narrated by Gregory Harrison, and the readers of the manuscripts, many written by eyewitnesses of that era, are Edward James Olmos, Tony Plana, Castulo Guerra, Alma Martinez, Robert Beltran, East Carlo, and Jesse Borrego.
Nahuatl anthropologist Eustacio Celestino, and Nahuatl village leader Marcial Camilo are interviewed, both speaking in their native toungue, which is an intriguing and lovely language.

The record of events begins with "The Valley of Mexico (650 AD)", where "cycles of nations had been played out", # 2 is "The Rise of the Aztecs (1300 AD)", and the building of the massive city of Tenochtitlan, and the powerful empire that thrived there. # 3, "The Invasion of Mexico (1519 AD)", with the landing of Cortez, and # 4, "The Fall of the Aztec", with its many massacres, the murder of Moctezuma, and the end of the empire, though as Sr. Celestino explains, not of the people or the culture.
I recommend viewing the entire set, as each volume is a facet of this dramatic past, and though much of it is unpleasant, it is a part of our heritage, and the knowledge and understanding of it enriches our future. An informative series, it is visually interesting, and although in only 49 minutes per segment one is not going to get too much detail, it is a good way to get an overview of the history of the Indian Nations. ... Read more

Description

This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sourcesvia documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. ... Read more

Description

This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sourcesvia documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Well done and fascinating!
I learned a great deal from this video. In one condensed hour, the film discussed the life of many Northeast "Indian" nations encountered in the years before and during the American Revolutionary War. The film is clear and easy to understand, yet explains the changing political and economic terrain of Indian nations as they confronted the arrival of "Whites."

With clear maps, plain-spoken narration, and lovely illustrations, the film evokes a time when Indians chose military alliances with French, British, and American forces--a time when Indians had to come to grips with the power of several European forces encroaching on their lands. We learn of changes in the Indian political-economy (as trading with Whites took precedence over normal activities), the slaughter of wildlife for gain in trade, and the vicious enslavement of Indians by Europeans.

The film is sympathetic to Indians, without being nostalgic or naive. Indians are not victims or monolithic in the film. They are political actors trying to survive. At times they are at war with one another, at times they effectively resist European power, and at times they are brutally slain and attacked with a cruelty mastered by Europeans. For example, the film discusses biological warfare (blankets w/ smallpox were given to many tribes), and George Washington's all-out assault on Indian villages and crops. (See Max Mintz's _Seeds of Empire_ for a rich account of Washington's brutal campaigns.)

Many more topics are briefly addressed: Pontiac's Rebellion, the US Revolutionary War, and the political amalgamation of Indian nations (who formed confederacies). And, in a refreshing change, White-Americans are given their voice in 18th century quotes, rather than 20th century ones. In other words, they are not politically corrected--Whites are given their full racist voice and hatred of Indians.

As a college instructor, I am buying this film (and perhaps others in the 500 Nations series) to show my students. I'm sure that they will benefit from this honest, complex, and rich look at early encounters between Europeans and Native Americans. Hopefully they will learn as much as I did. ... Read more

Description

This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sourcesvia documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. ... Read more

Description

This eight part documentary on the indigenous people of the Americas starts from Pre-Columbian history and covers the arrival of and colonization by the Europeans through modern times. The series shows the full and rich civilizations that proliferated in ancient times, as well as the current efforts of Native Americans to preserve their cultures and traditions. 500 Nations presents information from a variety of sourcesvia documents, photographs, eyewitness accounts and computer graphics. Educational and entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well intentioned, to the point of sanctamonius.
If we've heard too much of the white man's slant on the history of Native Americans, this well-intentioned, but hopelessly biased documentary will make up the difference. Always the Indians point of view, always the rightious victims. And, at less than 50 minutes per tape, way overpriced. Buy or rent "The Way West" or "The West" for a more balanced, and much better done, perspective.

Fitting the Pieces Together
There is so much history written about this subject, and I am researching my own Ancestors at this time. I was so confused about it all, and I got upset reading about the removeals, so I decided to watch my copy of Ancestors. It started where I left off in the book, and I was gripped from the very beginning. It is like seeing the bible come to life! This series beginner has answered many questions, and brought many more, but it has mainly put part of my puzzle together. I want to own the whole series! Perfect in every way, and you can tell everyone's heart was in the making of this film. ... Read more