In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, as he did in 1493 and 1498, but his final journey in 1502 is an epic tale all its own. Following his disastrous governorship of Hispaniola (with atrocities against both Taino Indians and Spanish colonists alike), Columbus was taken in chains back to Spain in 1500. After pleading for one more chance to discover a westward passage to China, Columbus was authorized to lead a final trip—and forbidden to step foot on the island of Hispaniola. After Columbus' four ships survived a hurricane at sea, the expedition embarked on a series of misadventures, during which the crew charted Jamaica, southern Cuba, and the coast of Central America. Although Panamanian natives pointed out that it was only a nine-day hike across the mountains to reach another ocean, Columbus refused to let his men go, insisting that a water passage existed. Eventually, following a failed effort to colonize Panama, war with the natives, and ships sinking due to woodworm infestation, the party limped off to Jamaica, where they were marooned for months and divided by mutiny before being rescued by the faithful ship's clerk who canoed to Hispaniola for help, after which Columbus returned to Spain a ruined man. Combining excellent dramatic re-enactments aboard a real caravel (featuring a crew who look genuinely half-staved and desperate) together with expert commentary, maps, and graphics, this outstanding documentary captures the epic nature of this forgotten journey. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)
Columbus: The Lost Voyage
(2007) 94 min. DVD: $24.95. The History Channel (avail. from most distributors). PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 1-4229-0652-3. Volume 23, Issue 3
Columbus: The Lost Voyage
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