More Than Bows And Arrows; People Of The Hearth

Two new programs shed light on Native American history and pre-history. First released in 1981, More Than Bows and Arrows was revised in 1992. Narrated by Pulitzer prize winning author N. Scott Momaday, the program attempts to rectify misconceptions about early Native Americans, demonstrating that their contributions to the world's knowledge, and influence on the development of America, in particular, has been considerable. The film looks at the incredible cave dwellings of the Anasazi, comments on the use of irrigational canals by ancient Native Americans, and lauds the work done by medicine men who were exceptionally skilled herbalists. Unfortunately, More Than Bows and Arrows is not content with apprising the world of the impressive legacy that Native Americans have left us. On the contrary, the claims range all over the spectrum. We are told that early Indian burial mounds are considered by some to be a "far greater achievement than the Egyptian pyramids," that the Iroquois League was the model for the U.S. government (an influence, yes, but not as great a one as, say, the Roman Republic), that early Native Americans were the finest horsemen in the world (although Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes, whose enormous stomping ground made that of the Plains Indians look like Rhode Island, were no slouches), and that Native American actor Will Rogers "bridged the gap between silent movies and talkies" (a distinction that has previously gone to Warner Brothers' The Jazz Singer). In short, More Than Bows and Arrows does an admirable job of claiming those achievements that rightfully belong to the Native American; but it also claims a whole lot more. Ultimately, history is distorted as much as it is revealed.People of the Hearth, on the other hand, is an outstanding program that brings to life the notable accomplishments of the "Paleoindians" of the Northern Rockies. Filmed at Barton Gulch, Montana, site of an archaeological dig that is uncovering the lifestyle of a semi-nomadic tribe that dates back some 9,400 years, the film uses a winning mix of dramatic re-enactments, contemporary artwork, and interviews with the archaeological team, to tell its story. A hunter-gatherer society, the tribe used obsidian point spears, launched by a hand-held device known as an atlatl, to bring down the local game, which was then skinned, prepared, and cooked in the dug-out hearth ovens. As many as 120-150 people were able to camp together, separated into "family hearth units," which explains the site's large holes surrounded by smaller holes. The intriguing story is perfectly complemented by the masterful use of video techniques in the dramatic sequences, scenes that are as carefully and artistically constructed as any we've seen using the video medium. The title recently won a MUSE award.More Than Bows and Arrows, with its uneven interpretation of Native American culture is an optional purchase. People of the Hearth is highly recommended and an Editor's Choice. (More Than Bows and Arrows is available from: Vidatron Corp., 1309 114th Ave. S.E., Suite 310, Bellevue, WA 98004; (800) 843-3658.) (People of the Hearth is available from: Earthtalk Productions, P.O. Box 1540, Bozeman, MT 59771; (800) 798-9980.)