This seven film collection offers many different visual historical angles from which to view American History.
Included Films:
Early Settlers of New England
Early Settlers of New England
Produced: 1940
Length: 10 Minutes
A keenly produced historical film, Early Settlers of New England dramatizes the lives of American settlers in the 17th century. Since the film was made in the 1940s, there is a cheerful and often boastful attitude towards the pioneers. The hardships of frontier life are examined in detail, with work aplenty in the quest for food and shelter. The antique equipment used in the film for brick making or blacksmithing. The film purportedly takes place in Salem Massachusettes, the location for the famed Salem Witch Trials. Early Settlers of New England is a well made and interesting historical video.
Puritan Family of Early New England
Puritan Family of Early New England
Produced: 1955
Length: 10 Minutes
Puritan Family of Early New England shows the daily life of a settler family in early American history. Days began early, were long, and filled with much work. The Puritan work ethic that New Englanders subscribed to discouraged play and the focus was on puritan religion shaped daily life. The father leaves to hunt game (nifty footage for learning about the history of hunting) while the mother tends to home matters, including cooking, cleaning, and raising of the children, demonstrating Puritan family life and Puritan culture and specifically the life of Puritan women. The children were also conscripted to do lots of chores. When not in school or being tutored at home, children helped gather food, make clothing, and other needed household chores. The center of the New England family was their faith and Puritan beliefs. Puritan religious beliefs influenced their deep continual need to work hard, governed their friendly and helpful interactions with neighbors, and provided deep comfort when life was difficult. Historical movies such as these are terrific educational videos and this is a wonderful look at Puritans in America.
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark
Produced: 1950
Length: 16 Minutes
This quaint historical film dramatizes the dramatic exploration of the American West by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they set out to map a route to the Pacific Ocean from the Mississippi River. Thanks to strong performances by the Lewis and Clark portrayers, the film works extremely well and is highly entertaining. The story starts with Lewis and Clark receiving their mission from President Thomas Jefferson, and starting out from the Mississippi River. Throughout the Lewis and Clark expedition, they encounter many obstacles. But eventually their trail leads them to North Dakota where they meet French trader Toussaint Charbonneau, whose wife is the famed Native American Sacajawea. They contract with Toussaint and his Sacajawea for guidance to the Pacific Coast. While traveling, Sacajaweas abuse at the hands of Toussaint is touched upon, but brushed off. This and other racist and prejudiced attitudes are ever present in the film. In fact, the film is a good record of the history of racism and racial stereotypes in the 1950s. The Lewis and Clark journey continues to the Rockies, and along the Columbia River. This fun historical film is packed with Lewis and Clark facts, as well as details about the Lewis and Clark map.
Far Western States
Far Western States
Produced: 1955
Length: 10 Minutes
This is a wonderful film about which tells the history of the Western United States. California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon and others are all thoroughly dissected for their economic, cultural, industrial, and geographic attributes. Mining and forestry and focused upon. Given that this film was produced in the 1950s, it offers interesting perspective and funky old footage of this fascinating part of America. Throughout the film, the rugged spirit and freedom of the west is championed by the triumphant voice of the narrator.
Home on the Range
Home on the Range
Produced: 1942
Length: 10 Minutes
Home on the Range shines with the culture and lifestyle of the Old West cattle ranchers. The film was produced by the US Department of Agriculture in order to promote the domestic war effort in the thick of World War II. Thanks to a fantastic narrator with a wild west twang to his voice, as well as some lovely shots of cowboys at work in their fields and ranches, this is an excellent and enriching film to enjoy. The earnest and patriotic narrator implores Americans to save a steak or two for the boys overseas. Home on the Range is a highly enjoyable relic from the day of WWII promotional filmmaking.
Pioneers of the Plains
Pioneers of the Plains
Produced: 1942
Length: 10 Minutes
Pioneers of the Plains is a historical film from the 1940s that dramatizes the spirit of Westward Expansion beautifully. The film chronicles the Carter familys journey west to California, in search of a new life. In the past, the Carters faced hardships, like many people in early American history, which have prepared them for the difficulties ahead of them while settling in the vast plains. Loneliness, serious dangers, and hard work are the burdens they must bare, the viewer is told. It will take faith in themselves and belief in a higher power helps them to endure these hardships. Pioneer food was often simple cornmeal mush. But throughout, the Carter family also encounters positive experiences on the frontier: friendly cowboys and neighbors, as well as the enjoyment of good fiddle playing. The pioneer women are stout and hard working, important traits to have in early pioneer life. They managed some excellent pioneer cooking to help ease the life on the frontier. All in all, Pioneers of the Plains brings the experience of the frontier life, including some wonderfully produced pioneer clothing.
Amateur: Old West, Cowboys and Indians, Arizona and New Mexico
Amateur: Old West, Cowboys and Indians, Arizona and New Mexico
Produced: 1920s
Length: 14 Minutes
This film reel contains rare amateur footage of Southwest American life in the early twentieth century. Despite the fact that the exact date and location of the film is unknown, it is likely that most of the scenes are from New Mexico, with some ending shots of the Grand Canyon and California. The beginning scenes appear to be of the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. This film focuses especially on Native Americans, their celebrations, adobe architecture, and various national monuments. It is likely that one scene shows a feast day at a pueblo where the cameraman took special care in filming the Native Americans, particularly the women wearing headdresses. Early video such as this is hard to come by and preserves an old and mostly past way of life.
